Global Talent Directory

Comedians Directory

Browse comedian profiles, biographical summaries, country of origin, and official links.

1532 comedians

Dirk Bach

A German actor, comedian, and television presenter, Dirk Bach was born in Cologne on April 23, 1961. At the age of 51, Dirk Bach passed away in Berlin on October 1, 2012; heart failure is suspected as the cause. His parents, Willi and Trude Bach, both worked for WDR and were involved in local history research. He began his career in independent theater in Cologne without formal training. Bach’s early career included work in theatres in Amsterdam, Brussels, London, New York, Utrecht, and Vienna after completing his schooling in 1980. He received his first theatre role in 1978 in Heiner Müller's Prometheus . From 1992 to 1996, he was a permanent member of the Schauspiel Köln ensemble. He gained wider recognition in 1992 with The Dirk Bach Show , broadcast on RTL and later Super RTL. He starred in television series such as Lukas (1996–2001) and Der kleine Mönch (2002), and played Pepe on Sesamstraße from 2000 to 2007. Bach achieved national recognition for his role as a single dad in the sitcom Lukas , which ran for five seasons. From 2004 until 2012, he gained significant recognition for co-hosting Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus! with Sonja Zietlow. He received several awards during his career, including the Telestar award in 1996, the German Comedy Award in 1999, and the Goldene Kamera in 2001. Bach was an LGBT activist and a member of the LSVD organization, actively fundraised for AIDS charities, and supported Amnesty International and PETA.

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Germany

Eddi Arent

Gebhardt Georg “Eddi” Arent, known professionally as Eddi Arent, was a German actor, cabaret artist, and comedian. Born on May 5, 1925, in Danzig-Langfuhr (now part of Gdańsk, Poland), he shared a birthplace with film colleague Wolfgang Völz. His father directed the Danzig waterworks. After attending a humanist gymnasium and earning his Abitur, Arent was drafted into the German army in 1939 following the annexation of Free City of Danzig. He later studied acting after World War II. Arent began his artistic career in Blumberg as a cabaret performer after the war. From 1948 to 1950, he participated in Jürgen Henckell's literary cabaret 'Der Widerspiegel,' appearing at Werner Finck’s ‘Mausefalle’ and 'Die Zwiebel' as well. He was discovered for film in 1955 while working at 'Die Zwiebel' in Munich. His first significant film role came in 1958 in 'The Doctor from Stalingrad,' where his gaunt appearance secured the part. He quickly gained recognition, appearing in over 104 films between 1956 and 2002, and achieving major screen fame in the 1960s. He became known for playing butler roles, police photographer, and criminal assistant in Horst Wendlandt's Edgar Wallace adaptations (1959-1966), appearing in approximately twenty of these detective films and portraying a villain four times. Critics praised his slapstick and dry wit as the “sparkling powder” of the series, which attracted approximately 60 million viewers between 1959 and 1972. Arent also starred in three Karl May films: 'The Treasure of Silver Lake' (1962), 'Winnetou 2' (1964), and 'Winnetou and Shatterhand in the Valley of Death' (1968) as Lord Castlepool. He appeared in the television comedy 'Räuber und Gendarm' (1978) and found considerable success with the sketch series 'Es ist angerichtet' (from 1982), which he considered his best work. Later, he collaborated with Harald Juhnke in the sketch television series 'Harald und Eddi' (late 1980s). He received the Scharlih award in 1997, a Karl May award, and the Golden Honorary Prize of the Edgar Wallace Meeting in 1999. Arent married Franziska Ganslmeier in 1959; they had one son and ran the 'Neustädter Hof' hotel in Titisee until it declared bankruptcy in 2005. He was diagnosed with dementia, and his health declined; he passed away at the age of 88 on May 28, 2013, in Munich, Germany, due to Alzheimer's disease.

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Germany

Esther Schweins

Esther Schweins, born April 18, 1970, in Oberhausen, is a German actress, comedian, and director. She grew up in Viernheim with her brother, the son of a carpet dealer and a photographer. Her career began in the 1990s as a comedian on the TV show RTL Samstag Nacht. Schweins gained prominence through her appearances on RTL Samstag Nacht, where she is also considered a founding member. She became known for her parody of MTV host Kristiane Backer as Kristiane Kacker. Her work on the show earned her recognition, including a Bayerischer Fernsehpreis in 1994 and a Bambi award that same year, shared with the entire ensemble. She has appeared in over 70 film and television productions since 1994, including roles in The Superwife (1996), Sisters from Hell (1997), Klassentreffen – Mordfall unter Freunden (2001), and Whispers of the Desert (2012). She also portrayed Emmeline Pankhurst in the docudrama We are half the World in 2018. Beyond acting, Schweins has worked as a theater director, staging the German version of 'Caveman' in 2000 and directing 'Hi Dad!' in 2009. She is also a voice actress, notably voicing Princess Fiona in the German dubs of the Shrek films. In 2004, she and her mother survived being swept away by a tsunami wave in Sri Lanka, an event that led her to reduce her possessions and become involved in helping tsunami victims. Since 2021, she has co-hosted the podcast 'Unglaublich krank' with physician Martin Mücke. Currently, she plays a recurring role in Die Kanzlei (since 2024) and was part of the main cast of Blutige Anfänger (2020 to 2024).

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Germany

Ilka Bessin

Ilka Bessin is a German comedian and actress, born on November 18, 1971, in Luckenwalde, Brandenburg, Germany. Her parents were a truck driver and a seamstress, and she has an older sister. Bessin’s background includes diverse work experiences, including training as a cook from 1988 to 1990, working as a chef until 1989, and later as a bartender and discothèque manager after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Bessin’s comedic performances are largely defined by her portrayal of Cindy aus Marzahn, a character created for and representing the Berlin district of Marzahn. Cindy is portrayed as an overweight, long-term unemployed woman with a pessimistic view on life and dating, recognizable by her flaming pink velour track suit, curly blond hair, and over-the-top makeup. Bessin drew inspiration for this character from Kurt Krömer’s Pummelfee. From the beginning of 2009 until April of that same year, Bessin appeared on Sat.1’s comedy series Schillerstraße, taking on the role of landlady Ilka. From 2009 to 2012, she hosted a weekly show on RTL called Cindy aus Marzahn & Die jungen Wilden. She toured extensively, with tours including Schizophren – Ich wollte ’ne Prinzessin sein (2007-2008), Nicht jeder Prinz kommt uff’m Pferd (2009-2012), and PINK IS BJUTIFUL (2013-2014). Throughout the period from 2007 to 2012, Bessin was recognized with six German Comedy Awards; these included Best Newcomer in 2007, recognition as Best Female Comedian for 2009, 2010 and 2011, and the award for Best TV-Soloprogramm in 2009. She ended her portrayal of Cindy aus Marzahn in June 2016.

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Germany

Ingolf Lück

Ingolf Lück is a German comedian, actor, director, and entertainer born in Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, in April 1958. Lück’s journey into comedy began with the co-founding of the children's theater group Zick-Zack-Theaterbande in 1979, alongside Andreas Liebold. Following its dissolution in 1982, he established the ensemble Das Totale Theater, which presented a mix of cabaret, clowning, and music shows. He initially gained attention through parodies of stars and television presenters. In 1985, he transitioned to television, hosting the ARD music video show 'Formel eins' and appearing in the film Feel the Motion . You're Dead! (1987) and Peng! Du bist tot! (1986). Lück achieved widespread recognition for his appearances in the Sat.1 “Wochenshow” from 1996 to 2002. He also hosted the German version of Don't Forget Your Toothbrush , titled Pack die Zahnbürste ein . Throughout his career, he has starred in numerous TV films including Kein Mann für eine Nacht (1999), Thrill – Spiel um dein Leben (2000), Crazy Race (2003), The Chocolate Queen (2005), and Chubby Me (2007). He has also appeared in sitcoms like 'Das Büro' and 'Der Doc'. Lück’s solo play, ‘Caveman,’ proved particularly successful from 2002 onwards. More recently, he presented the monodrama "Seite Eins" in Dinslaken on November 15, 2022, which critiques mass media practices and features the character Marco, a boulevard journalist, alongside Lea, a musician releasing her first CD. He won the eleventh season of “Let's Dance” in 2018 with partner Ekaterina Leonova, becoming the oldest winner. He received the Verdienstorden des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen in 2016 and an honorary prize at the German Comedy Award in 2014. Currently, he resides in Cologne.

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Germany

Karl Dall

Karl Bernhard Dall, a German entertainer, worked as a comedian, singer, and television host. The noticeable droop in his eye was due to a congenital ptosis.

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Germany

Mario Barth

Mario Wolfgang Barth, born on November 1, 1972, in Berlin-Mariendorf, is a German comedian. He grew up as one of six children in Berlin-Mariendorf, with his father from Ulm and his mother from Oberbayern. Having finished a telecommunications electrician apprenticeship with Siemens in Berlin, he pursued acting studies for a short time in 1995 and took part in comedic training sessions, notably at the Köln Comedy Schule. Barth gained early stage experience with short appearances on television shows like NightWash and Quatsch Comedy Club. Beginning in the first months of 2001, his stage production 'Männer sind Schweine, Frauen aber auch!' (Men are Pigs, but Women Too!) has been running continuously. A live DVD of 'Männer sind Schweine, Frauen aber auch!' in 2005 reached number 3 on the German Album Charts and went platinum, later earning twelve platinum and one gold record awards. He received the German Comedy Award for his program 'Männer sind primitiv, aber glücklich!' in 2006. Barth has achieved considerable recognition for his live performances. In July 2008, he set a world record as the 'Live Comedian with the Most Viewers,' performing for approximately 70,000 people at the Berlin Olympic Stadium, and again in June 2014 with 116,498 attendees. He released a single 'Mensch Berlin' with Paul Kuhn following the 2008 stadium event. From 2009, he presented the comedy program 'Willkommen bei Mario Barth' on RTL; furthermore, since 2013, he has hosted 'Mario Barth deckt auf!'. He continues to perform, hosting 'Mario Barth & Friends' since 2019. He is also active as a sole proprietor and managing partner of several production companies.

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Germany

Matze Knop

Matze Knop, born Matthias Knop on November 11, 1974, in Lippstadt, Germany, is a German comedian and impersonator. He grew up in Lippstadt with his younger brother Timo. His father was a youth soccer coach at Borussia Lippstadt, and he has an uncle who is the chairman of a Mau Mau club near Lippstadt. Knop began his media career as a radio editor at Radio Bielefeld after studying journalism at the University of Dortmund. He initially gained recognition with the comedy persona 'Supa Richie' in the late 1990s, achieving greater fame through several comedy songs that charted in the German singles charts. He received a Musikpreis Echo award nomination in the Comedy category in 1998. He also worked as a voice actor, notably dubbing Adam Sandler in the film Waterboy . His early work included appearances on radio, television and music charts. Throughout his career, Knop has hosted several television and radio shows, including Knops Spätshow on Sat.1 in 2002 and Clipfish TV on RTL in 2007. He frequently appeared on Dings vom Dach . He tours regularly with stage programs such as Operation Testosteron (2009-2012), Platzhirsche – Männer, Machos, Muttersöhnchen (from 2012), and currently Mut zur Lücke (since 2021). He also co-hosts the podcast Echte Champions XXL with Oliver Pocher, Reiner Calmund, and Tobi Holtkamp. He is a football parodist and expert for ARD, ZDF, Sky, and Sport 1, and hosts the show 'Matze und der Fußball'. Beyond his comedic work, Knop is an avid football player, having played since age six and continuing to play actively for RW Horn. He supports the 'Kinderlachen e.V.' charity and runs the Matze Knop Foundation, which supports disadvantaged children. He currently lives near his parents' home in Lippstadt with his girlfriend and keeps a gratitude journal daily.

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Germany

Max Adalbert

Johannes Adolph Krampf, known under the stage name Max Adalbert, was a German actor for stage and screen, de r He was especially known for his comedic performances. He participated in more than forty productions from the era of silent and sound film and worked on m in the cabaret.

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Germany

Michael Kessler

Michael Kessler is a German actor, comedian, theater director, author, and moderator. Born on June 24, 1967, in Wiesbaden, he grew up as the third of three children, with a father who was an optician and a mother who was a homemaker. He attended Gymnasium am Mosbacher Berg in Wiesbaden, graduating with his Abitur in 1986 and participating in the school’s theater club. Kessler gained early stage experience performing at the Hessian State Theater Wiesbaden. After earning a diploma from the Westfälische Schauspielschule Bochum from 1988 to 1992, he began his professional acting career. He performed at Schauspielhaus Bochum, Schauspiel Frankfurt, Nationaltheater Mannheim, and Schauspielhaus Zürich. During his studies, he played Georg Zierschnitz in Frühlings Erwachen and Raoul in Die Jungfrau von Orléans . From 1992 to 1995, Kessler was engaged at the Nationaltheater Mannheim, appearing in plays like Der Raub der Sabinerinnen , Die heilige Johanna , and Gespenster . He made his film debut in 1991 as 'Klausi' in Manta, Manta , gaining recognition for this role alongside his subsequent appearance in the comedy series Switch . Kessler’s career expanded into television and theater with numerous roles. He appeared in shows like Siebenbirken , Schwarz greift ein , and Hotel Mama starting in 1992. From 2005 to 2009, he starred in the play Männerhort in Berlin, and later performed at the Komödie am Kurfürstendamm. He hosted Berliner Nacht Taxe on RBB Fernsehen from 2006 to 2009, producing 42 episodes. Kessler has also provided voice work for films like Rango , The Smurfs 2 , and Angry Birds , and contributed to audio plays and television shows. He received the German Comedy Award in 2008 in the category 'Best Actor' and has been recognized with other awards including the Deutscher Fernsehpreis, Grimme-Preis, and Romy. Currently, he continues to perform on stage and appears in various film and television productions, including Ein Fall für die Erdmännchen and is scheduled to film Nord Nord Mord and Rent a Black in 2026.

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Germany

Mike Krüger

Mike Krüger, born Michael Friedrich Wilhelm on December 14, 1951, in Ulm, is a German comedian, actor, kabarett artist, and singer. He experienced a difficult childhood, growing up in Hamburg after his mother’s death and attending boarding school where corporal punishment was practiced; he used humor to cope with these challenging times. After initially training as a concrete builder and studying architecture, he pursued a show career, receiving early support from Rudi Carrell who invited him to appear on "Am laufenden Band" in 1975. Krüger gained fame through popular comedy hits, successful films, and television shows, entertaining millions of viewers for decades. He achieved chart success with songs like "Mein Gott, Walther" (1975) and "Der Nippel" (1980). His comedy combines classic humor with musical elements and charm, often incorporating well-known songs into his act. He starred in several films, including Piratensender Powerplay (1981), Die Supernasen (1983) alongside Thomas Gottschalk, Zwei Nasen tanken Super (1984), Seitenstechen (1985) directed by Dieter Pröttel, and Geld oder Leber! (1986). He also appeared in Die Einsteiger (1985) and Die Senkrechtstarter (1989), reprising his role as Mike in the latter. Throughout his career, Krüger hosted numerous television shows, including "Vier gegen Willi" (1987-1989), "Der Comedyflüsterer" (2007), and “Klüger mit Krüger (AT)” (2006). He also appeared in commercials for Hagebau Markt starting in 2009, and composed music for a Mercedes-Benz Transporter commercial in 2011. Considered a major cult figure in German comedy, he continues to entertain fans with live performances and humorous stage shows filled with nostalgia. In 2015, he published his autobiography "Mein Gott, Walther" and appeared at the Frankfurt Book Fair to present it. While he retired from show business in recent years, his last television appearance was in 2017, leaving behind a legacy of decades of entertainment.

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Germany

Sig Arno

Sig Arno, born Siegfried Aron on December 27, 1895, in Hamburg, Germany, was a German-Jewish film actor and stage comedian. His parents were Louis Aron and Emilie Elise Adele Amanda Bez. He attended the Talmud-Tora School in Hamburg and trained as a fashion designer at the Hamburger Kunstgewerbeschule. Arno became a member of the Hamburger Theaterverein and performed at the Harburger Stadttheater from 1913/14, followed by the Hamburger Neuen Operetten-Theater from 1914 to 1916. He served as a soldier on the Western Front from late 1916. Arno’s career began in earnest before 1920 when he was already a well-known stage comedian in Germany. After World War I, he performed at the Flora-Theater in Altona (1918-1920) and subsequently worked at the Neues Deutsches Theater in Prague during 1920/21. By the end of 1921, he moved to Berlin, appearing at the Thalia-Theater and later the Metropol-Theater. He made his film debut in Die rote Katze in 1921 and frequently appeared in comedies from the mid-1920s, often partnering with Kurt Gerron as a comedic duo. Between 1923 and 1929, he recorded Schlager, operetta, and film songs for Homocord, Electrola, and Orchestrola. He is best known for his role as Toto in The Palm Beach Story (1942), though he appeared in approximately 90 films in Germany and over 50 in Hollywood. Due to the rise of Adolf Hitler, Arno emigrated from Germany in 1933, working in Europe until 1939 before moving to Hollywood. He appeared in films such as Pardon My Sarong and The Mummy's Hand , and had notable roles in The Bells of Notre Dame (1939), The Great Dictator (1940), and A Guy Named Joe (1942). He frequently played waiters or maitre d's. Arno appeared on Broadway three times, including in Song of Norway (1944-46) and Time Remembered , for which he was nominated for a Tony Award in 1958. He became an American citizen in 1945 and received the Filmband in Gold at the German Film Awards in 1966. Sig Arno died on August 17, 1975, in Woodland Hills, California, from Parkinson's disease; his ashes were scattered at sea.

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