Global Talent Directory

Comedians from Germany

The comedian directory of Germany — profiles, bios, photos, and social links for comedians from Germany.

188 comedians

Alexander Goebel

Alexander Goebel, a German, works as an actor, musical actor, director of comedian theater and radiomaker and lives and works in Austria.

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Germany

Bürger Lars Dietrich, born Lars Dietrich on February 2, 1973, in Potsdam, is a German entertainer, rapper, and pop musician. He adopted the name "Bürger" due to frequent interactions with police officers in East Germany. Identifying as an entertainer, he aims to combine various talents like rapping, singing, writing, comedy, and dancing. Dietrich’s early training included ten years at a Polytechnische Oberschule in Potsdam, followed by rigorous classical dance training at the Palucca School in Dresden and the State Ballet School Berlin. He performed at the Berliner Metropol-Theater during this time. In 1985, he formed the PDM Teenie-Rapper with friends. A transition to stunt work occurred in May 1992 at the DEFA studios in Babelsberg. His career gained momentum in April 1994 with the release of his first single, 'Mädchenmillionär,' and his first album, 'Was hat man denn vom Leben?'. He collaborated with Stefan Raab, serving as a co-commentator on ‘Vivasion’ and writing lyrics for some of Raab's songs. Bürger Lars Dietrich achieved wider fame in 1996 with the summer hit "Sexy Eis," a cover version of Dr. Hook’s “Sexy Eyes.” He co-hosted Stefan Raab's show 'Vivasion' on VIVA from 1995 to 1996 and collaborated with Stefan Raab and Jürgen Drews on a remake of 'Ein Bett im Kornfeld' in 1995. From August 2001, he regularly appeared on the Sat.1 show 'Die Wochenshow'. He has since starred in various television shows and films, including 'Es kommt noch dicker' (2012) as Oleg, and 'Alles getürkt' (2002). He hosted 'Dein Song' on KiKA from 2009 to 2024. He has also been touring with his stage show 'Dietrichs Demokratische Republik' since 2012, based on his book 'Schlecht englisch kann ich gut'. Recent appearances include ‘The Masked Singer’ (2022), where he finished second as the werewolf, and 'Frei Schnauze' (RTL) with Dirk Bach. He currently lives in Berlin with actress Türkiz Talay and their son, having been in a relationship since 2002.

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Germany

Dieter Thomas

Dieter Thomas was a German cabaret artist and comedian, born March 18, 1947, in Limburg an der Lahn. His early life took several unexpected turns; after attending elementary school from 1953 to 1961, he twice failed to secure an apprenticeship as an electrician at age 14 and instead worked in a factory. Further attempts at formal education, including failing an exam for the Wiesbaden police school in 1963, also proved unsuccessful. He avoided military service through what he described as trickery, an experience he believed sparked his later comedic talent. Following this, he traveled the world for two years before settling in Frankfurt am Main in the late 1960s and participating in student protests. Dieter Thomas’s career began to take shape in the mid-1970s. He earned his high school diploma (Abitur) in 1975 and briefly studied German and political science at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, though he did not complete the degree. From 1976, he developed a distinctive stage persona with various partners. In summer 1976, he co-founded 'Karl Napp’s Chaos Theater,' which continued until summer 1981. He then co-founded 'Vorläufige Frankfurter Fronttheater' (later 'Frankfurter Fronttheater') in January 1982 alongside Matthias Beltz and Hendrike von Sydow. His performances often satirized current events, including topics like the 'Startbahn West' and the 'Wackersdorf reprocessing plant,' as well as police actions during student demonstrations. Dieter Thomas’s comedy style was unique, incorporating juggling with objects such as balls, fruit, or even small Christmas trees. He also incorporated clownish Hessian dialect ('Gebabbel') into his performances. For over 30 years, he performed satirically, frequently targeting the Sponti scene and often questioning the authenticity of his own statements. He appeared in television shows and films with Hendrike von Sydow, including 'Scheibenwischer', 'Zu Gast im Fronttheater', 'Dieter & Hendrike', and 'Die Sache ist gelaufen.' His later work included the program "Weihnachts(d)App," and he planned to release an app related to it, designed to help navigate family gatherings during the holidays. He collaborated with numerous other comedians throughout his career, and was described as an "Urhesse" who viewed the world from the perspective of a funny small-town rogue. Dieter Thomas died in Limburg an der Lahn on April 8, 2016, following a diagnosis of cancer only months prior.

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Germany

Doctor All-Knowing

The German humorist and web video producer Doctor Allwissend received the German Web Video Award in 2014. Category ‘FA’ Q “For his video “Where shyness comes from”.

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Germany

Erwin Grosche

Erwin Grosche, a comedian and humorist, hails from Paderborn, Germany. Born on November 25, 1955, in Anröchte, Kreis Lippstadt, his birthdate is subject to minor dispute; his mother claims it was November 24th. He comes from a family with roots in the local community, as his father was a baker and his mother ran the local grocery store. His early life included attending the Volksschule in Berge before moving to the Theodorianum grammar school in Paderborn. Grosche’s interest in performance began early, fostered by his brother Heiko Grosche, who encouraged his passion for theater and art. During his school years, he took on lead roles at the Westfälische Kammerspiele in Paderborn and also appeared at the Schloß Neuhaus open-air stage. He demonstrated an aptitude for writing during this period, publishing poems and songs in magazines like DOM. Initially performing with his brother, Grosche transitioned to a solo career in 1980. His work has been featured on television shows such as 'Die Sendung mit der Maus' and 'Stadt, Land, Fluss,' and he has maintained a significant friendship with jazz guitarist Toto Blanke, recording numerous LPs and CDs together. Throughout his career, Grosche has written over seventy books, including children’s literature translated into multiple languages. He has collaborated with actors like Doris Dörrie, Sven Severin, and Margarethe von Trotta. His comedy style often reflects everyday life, incorporating sound effects and observations about common objects. Critics describe him as a 'großartiger Beobachter' (great observer), noting his truthful and relatable work. Grosche’s humor relies on language, imagination, and a playful approach, cultivating a close connection with his audience through a sympathetic demeanor. He received numerous awards, including the German Kleinkunstpreis and the Sonderpreis Reif & Bekloppt of Prix Pantheon in 1995, followed by the Morenhovener Lupe and Wilhelmshavener Knurrhahn in 1999, and the Kulturpreis der Stadt Paderborn in 2000. He is also a patron of UNICEF PADERBORN since 2003 and an ambassador for 'Stiftung Lesen' since 2009. Grosche’s legacy continues to grow; his life's work was recognized in the 2010 exhibition 'Westfälische Kabarettheroen.' He recently authored 'Das Lesebuch Erwin Grosche' (2024) with introductions by Hanns Dieter Hüsch and Walter Gödden, and co-authored 'Die kleine Fußballschule' (2022) with Peter Menne. A film featuring his experiences testing cakes and tortes, directed by Wolfgang Dresler and including the vocal ensemble 'Anis oder Mandel,' is also among his recent projects. Grosche continues to perform, as evidenced by his appearance at the Unter-Haus in Bad Hönningen on September 19, 2026, featuring his cabaret and variety program "PIPIFAX Deluxe." He believes the world would be better if more people saw it through his eyes, focusing on drawing conclusions from large events and applying them to everyday situations.

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Germany

Gerd Knebel

Gerd Knebel, born March 30, 1953, in Rodgau, Germany, was a multifaceted entertainer known as a musician, comedian, and actor. He spent much of his career collaborating with others, notably as a founding member of the comedy duo Badesalz, established in 1982 alongside Hendrik Nachtsheim. Prior to that, from 1988, he was the lead singer of the comedy rock combo Flatsch. Knebel’s early work demonstrated a distinctive comedic style characterized by sketches performed with a strong Hessian accent. Badesalz achieved considerable popularity throughout the 1990s and 2000s. The duo appeared in several television programs, including 'Och Joh' (ARD), 'Comedy-Stories' (Sat.1), and a program simply titled 'Badesalz' on Comedy Central. They released numerous albums between 1990 and 2018, with several reaching significant chart positions. The album 'Nicht ohne meinen Pappa' (1991) reached #70, while 'Diwodaso' (1993) peaked at #15. Further successes included 'Zarte Metzger' (1995), which charted at #9, and 'Wie Mutter und Tochter' (1997), reaching #4. Their film credits include 'Das Super Dong Dong' (1989) and 'Abbuzze! Der Badesalz-Film' (1996). The duo also embarked on multiple tour programs beginning in 1985, including the 'Das Super Dong-Dong' tour. In 1993, they published a book titled 'Badesalz, Vaz Daz Den?' Following Badesalz’s dissolution, Knebel continued performing and recording. From 2005 to 2007, he was part of the group Die Groben Junggesellen. In 2006, he launched a solo program called 'Um was geht’s hier eigentlich?' and created a tribute program for Matthias Beltz. He also explored various musical collaborations, including joining the Deutschrock band Angst vor Clowns in 2007 and 2008, and releasing a CD with Olaf Mill in 2010 titled Nette Rabenväter. Other projects included forming the metal band GiftDwarf with Olaf Mill in 2011 and launching the solo project 'Die Knebells' in 2016. He released a CD with Mädness under the name 'Dirty Dabbes' in 2018, and an album of Spanish songs under the pseudonym Gerdo Sintrenza in 2022. Gerd Knebel died on January 24, 2026, in Nieder-Roden, leaving behind two children. He was diagnosed with cancer.

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Germany

Jan Böhmermann

Jan Böhmermann is a German left-wing satirist, journalist, and television host. Born on February 23, 1981, in Bremen, he grew up in the Vegesack district. His mother’s family emigrated from Poland to Germany in the early 1970s; his father, a police officer, died of leukemia when Böhmermann was seventeen. He attended Schulzentrum Bördestraße and obtained his Abitur. After briefly studying history, sociology, theater, film, and television science at the University of Cologne without completing the degree, he began his career in journalism. Böhmermann’s early work included a brief stint at Die Norddeutsche newspaper in 1997, followed by five years as a moderator and reporter for Radio Bremen from 1999 to 2004. He then joined 1Live on WDR, where he created the satirical column 'Lukas’ Tagebuch' parodying soccer player Lukas Podolski. This work led to a lawsuit from Podolski. In 2008, he launched the podcast 'Pod-Olski – Der EM-Podcast von Lukas'. He hosted the six-part comedy show 'Echt Böhmermann' in 2007 and, in 2009, participated in a satirical action for the RTL show TV-Helden, establishing the 'Ersten Türkischen Karnevalsverein Deutschlands (1. TKVD)'. The TV program 'TV-Helden' received the 2009 German Television Prize. Throughout his career, Böhmermann has been involved in various projects. From 2011 to 2016, he co-hosted 'Sanft & Sorgfältig' with Klaas Heufer-Umlauf and later Olli Schulz. He also co-hosted the talk show 'Roche & Böhmermann' with Charlotte Roche from March 2012 to October 2012. He went on tour with Lateline in 2012 and 2013, and recorded radio plays 'Förderschulklassenfahrt' in 2013 and its sequel in 2014. Böhmermann has also written the 'Gott fragt, Böhmermann antwortet' column for the Süddeutsche Zeitung’s youth edition and produced the documentary film '16 × Deutschland' about the Bremer Antikolonialdenkmal. Currently, he hosts the ZDF Magazin Royale and the podcast Fest & Flauschig, and has been active as a Schöffe (lay judge) at the Amtsgericht Köln.

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Germany

John Friedmann

John Friedmann, born on August 16, 1971, in Frankfurt am Main, is a German actor and comedian. He is also a voice-over artist and member of the Bundesverband Schauspiel e.V. (BFFS). As a child, he relocated to Bad Tölz and participated in the Tölzer Knabenchor. He later pursued studies in architecture at Munich University, believing it benefits his filmmaking abilities. Friedmann initially gained recognition as part of the comedy duo Erkan und Stefan, performing under the pseudonym Erkan Maria Moosleitner alongside Florian Simbeck. The name 'Erkan Maria Moosleitner' was inspired by actor Charles Muhamed Huber and references multicultural society. They began their career performing in radio shows, and Michael ‘Bully’ Herbig directed their first film, Erkan und Stefan (2000), which received the Bavarian Film Award. Subsequent films included Erkan & Stefan – Gegen die Mächte der Finsternis (2002), which he co-wrote and starred in, and Erkan & Stefan in Der Tod kommt krass (2006). He also appeared in Ich Chef, du nix (2007) and co-wrote the screenplay for that film. Beyond his work with Erkan und Stefan, Friedmann has had a diverse career. He starred in films such as Lucky Fritz (2009), Shoot the Duke (2009), WUNDERKINDER (2011), and GIRL ON A BICYCLE (2010). He also played an SS Sturmbannführer in the Holocaust drama Wunderkinder (2011). Since 2017, he has appeared in various television productions, including episodes of Die Rosenheim-Cops , SOKO München , and GENIAL DANEBEN . Friedmann is also a published author, having released Flaschendrehen Furioso in 2012 and Das Blaue vom Himmel in 2015. He and Florian Simbeck operate the ErkanUndStefan channel on Twitch, which has over 60,000 followers as of July 2023. Currently, he is participating in the reality show 'Forsthaus Rampensau Deutschland' (2023) and has been involved with the Pulse of Europe movement since 2017.

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Germany

Markus Krebs

Markus Krebs is a German stand-up comedian born on July 26, 1970, in Duisburg. He hails from Duisburg-Neudorf and identifies as a supporter and member of the MSV Duisburg football club, having previously been involved with hooliganism for years. His early life included eye surgery due to mumps, resulting in blindness in his right eye. Before pursuing comedy, Krebs held various jobs including wholesale and foreign trade merchant, deputy hardware store manager, bus driver, and work in the restaurant industry. He is known for incorporating "Ruhrpott-Humor," humor from the Ruhr area, into his act. Krebs began his comedy career unexpectedly; he was first brought on stage in 2008 by his brother in Dinslaken to fill a last-minute need. He quickly gained recognition, winning the Niederrheinischer Comedy-Preis in 2008 and the RTL Comedy Grand Prix in 2013. His comedy style incorporates stories from his favorite pub and anecdotes from daily life, often delivered with improvisational humor and a signature stage persona that includes wearing sunglasses and a wool hat with "Ruhrpott" written on it. He has appeared on numerous television and radio shows, including Kaya Yanar, Bülent Ceylan, TV total, Cindy aus Marzahn, Sträters Männerhaushalt, Tietjen und Hirschhausen, and Genial daneben. Markus Krebs has built a substantial career through solo programs and tours. His first tour, 'Literatur unter Betäubung,' began in January 2014, followed by 'Hocker-Rocker' from 2014 to 2016. The program 'Permanent Panne' premiered on RTL in September 2017 and was largely sold out during its 2017/18 tour. He hosted 'Die Show' in February 2018 and 'Witzearena' on RTL from September 2018 to January 2019. His subsequent tours, including 'Pass auf … kennste den?!' (starting in February 2019) and 'Comedy alle wegen mir?' (2023/24), were also sold out. Currently, he is touring with 'Bierschaum ist mein Lippenstift' in 2025. He celebrates 15 years of his career with the show '15 Jahre Markus Krebs - Das Beste aus 6 Live-Programmen,' which will have multiple dates and locations throughout Germany in 2026. Additionally, he hosts a podcast, 'Comedykation mit Markus Krebs' (since March 2020) and 'Der Theken-Talk Podcast', featuring guests like Matze Knop and Atze Schröder, available on various streaming platforms. He has also released multiple 'Best Of Witze' compilations and produces a series called 'Backstage Talk'. His YouTube channel features his podcast and comedy clips.

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Germany

Martin Reinl

Martin Reinl, born in Mainz on October 15, 1975, is a multifaceted entertainer from Germany. He began his career performing stand-up comedy in 1996 while studying Communications Design and then Audiovisual Media in Cologne. His early work includes the debut of the hand puppet Wiwaldi in 1998, followed by the release of his first CD, 'Piep! 999 Anrufbeantwortersprüche,' in 1999. Reinl attended the Köln Comedy Schule in 2000 and completed his studies at the Kunsthochschule für Medien Köln in 2002, demonstrating a foundation in both creative arts and comedic performance. Reinl’s career has been marked by significant television appearances and puppet-based creations. From 2002 to 2016, he was on 'Zimmer frei!' on WDR television. He used puppets, including Horst-Pferdinand, to interview celebrities and be in shows like '5 gegen Jauch'. He is responsible for the Peb and Pebber puppets on Super RTL, receiving a Sonderpreis at the Filmfest München in 2008 for this work. He also contributed puppets, including Kalle and Ralle, to Oliver Pocher's late-night show from 2010 to 2012 and voices Benno Benz in 'Auto Mobil' on VOX since 2011. Reinl’s versatility extends to voice acting, with roles including Mr. Bean and, since 2012, exclusively voicing Elmo in the German version of Sesame Street, as well as Grobi since 2015. Currently, Martin Reinl continues to be active in various comedic and performance ventures. He co-created the stage show 'Zur Sache, Puppe' with Ramona Schukraft in 2007 and is a regular guest at NightWash and the Quatsch Comedy Club. The 'Wiwaldi Show,' which ran from 2012 to 2016, produced 31 episodes and was nominated for the Grimme Prize in 2013. He also co-hosts the podcast 'Puppkultur' with Julian Schlichting since 2023. Reinl tours with his live show called 'Unter Puppen,' where he brings everyday objects to life, and performs the show 'Puppen Gucken' with Carsten Haffke, exploring 100 years of television history using puppets, featuring over 40 puppets and improvised TV formats. Tickets for this show range from €12.50 to €52.90.

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Germany

Paul Panzer

Paul Panzer, born Dieter Tappert on January 8, 1972, in Düren, Germany, is a German comedian. He spent his childhood in Nörvenich and later moved to Cologne in the mid-1990s. Initially training as a welder, he also pursued studies in music and media education. His career began in 1998 at a radio station in Eupen, Belgium (100’5 Das Hitradio), where he quickly gained recognition. It was through over 800 prank calls that he established the persona of Paul Panzer, a name he adopted for his comedic work. Paul Panzer's comedy style is characterized by a distinctive speech impediment, mispronunciation, and the incorporation of foreign terms into German. Recurring characters like 'Dachdeckermeister Benether' and 'Szabo' feature prominently in his routines. He developed the comedy series 'Die Baulöwen,' which consists of over 200 episodes. His first solo stand-up program, 'Heimatabend Deluxe,' proved successful, leading to a televised version airing on RTL in 2006. This performance earned him the German Comedy Award as best newcomer that same year. Following his early success, Paul Panzer continued to expand his reach. He starred in the film 'Männersache' in 2009, co-writing the script with Mario Barth. A stage program, 'Endlich Freizeit – Was für′n Stress!', launched in 2009 and has been ongoing. From 2011 to 2014, he co-hosted 'Stars bei der Arbeit' on RTL. Since 2016, he has appeared frequently as a guest on the quiz show 'Wer weiß denn sowas?'. He also streams live on Twitch.tv as Paul Panzer since December 2020. He was married for 25 years and became a widower in 2026.

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Germany

Torge Oelrich

Freshtorge, bourgeois Oelrich, comes from Wesselburen and is active in Germany as a comedian, actor, musician and producer of web videos. He became known for the n YouTube channel Freshtorge, in which e r brings various figures to life in his contributions.