Alexander Pereira is a cultural manager from Austria. He led there s Opernhaus Zürich as director from 1991 to 2012, then he took over the directorship of the Salzburg Festival from 2012 to 2014. Between October 2014 and December 2019 he was at the head of the Milan Scala, and since the season 2020/2021 he has been leading the Opera di Firenze.
Alf Poier, born Alfred Poier on February 22, 1967, in Judenburg, Styria, Austria, is an Austrian artist and stand-up comedian. He attended elementary school in Sankt Peter ob Judenburg and graduated from the commercial academy in Judenburg in 1987. Before embarking on his artistic career, Poier held various jobs between 1987 and 1995, including night watchman, waitress, office worker, student, and journalist. Poier began performing cabaret in Graz in 1995, initially placing second at the Kleinkunstvogel cabaret competition. His career gained momentum with the release of his first program, 'Himmel, Arsch & Gartenzwerg,' in August 1995. He continued to perform extensively in Austria and Germany following this debut. He also won the German Comedy Awards (Best Newcomer) in 2000 and the Österreichischer Kabarettpreis in 2002. Poier’s work is characterized by a unique blend of cabaret, images, and objects, creating what he calls a Gesamtkunstwerk. He participated in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Weil der Mensch zählt' in 2003, placing sixth and incorporating references to different animals in a parody of the contest. He attempted to represent Austria again in 2005. He has released several albums, including Himmel, Arsch & Gartenzwerg (1996), Zen (2001), Alf singt die schönsten Lieder mit Band (2003), Lustige Lieder der Traurigkeit und Not (2005) and This Isn’t It (2010). He also released several DVDs, such as Mitsubischi (2008), Zen (2007), Kill Eulenspiegel (2007) and Satsang (2009). A song he wrote, 'Good Old Europe Is Dying,' caused controversy due to its lyrics. He opened his private museum, 'Botschaft für Bewusstsein, Scheißdreck und Kunst,' in Eggendorf (Tullnerfeld) in September 2008. After a 26-year career, Poier retired on July 31, 2021, primarily due to health issues, including chronic nausea and gastritis.
Alfred Dorfer hails from Austria and works as a comedian, writer and actor. He ranks among the country’s most recognized cabaret performers and comic figures, a status bolstered by his involvement in many Austrian movies. Following early achievements with the ensemble Schlabarett, he gained broader fame as both screenwriter and lead of the film Indien. Currently, Dorfer is considered one of the leading satirists and authors in the German‑language sphere.
Bettina Soriat is an Austrian who She works as a singer, dancer, comedian and choreographer. In 1997 she represented Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin.
Gernot Kulis is an Austrian comedian, born on August 11, 1976, in Sankt Paul im Lavanttal, Carinthia. His education began at St. Paul Abbey School until he was 14 years old. Subsequently, he attended HIB Liebenau boarding school in Graz. Early in his career, Kulis gained experience in radio broadcasting at Antenne Steiermark. Kulis’s professional comedy journey includes a significant period as a comedy author for Ö3 radio, spanning from December 1999 to June 2017. He is known for the 'Ö3 Callboy' segment, which involved prank calls released on CDs. His comedic talents extend to various formats; he performs stand-up comedy and is a member of the Comedy Hirten cabaret group since 2004, alongside Rolf Lehmann, Herbert Haider, Peter Moizi, and Christian Schwab. The Comedy Hirten often parodies celebrities like Armin Assinger, Hans Krankl, and Ivica Vastić, as well as politicians such as Karl Nehammer ('Karl Schmähhammer') and Rudi Anschober ('Rudi Warnschober'). He also performs as 'Heini' in 'Die Zwoa Lofntola,' a comedic duo with Christian Schwab. Notable works include the comedy segment 'Professor Kaiser,' which debuted in 2002, and the hit song 'Was is' mit du?' released with Lukas Rupp. Kulis’s live programs have been well-received; 'Kulisionen' premiered on March 17, 2011, and was described by The Falter as professionally staged like a rock concert. His second program, 'Herkulis,' debuted in October 2017, focusing on solutions to life's challenges, and was praised by the Wiener Zeitung and Kleine Zeitung for its high point density and rapid pace. He currently tours with programs titled 'Herkulis,' 'Kulisionen,' 'Hold the Line,' and 'Ich kann nicht anders,' which premieres in February 2025. Kulis also hosts a weekly satirical comedy review called 'Comedy-Wochenrückblick' on Ö3, and presents a comedy evening called "I Can’t Help It," scheduled for December 2026 at Danubium in Tulln an der Donau. He is described as one of Austria's most well-known comedians, known for humorous anecdotes, sharp observations about life and family, strong punchlines, and daring stories, often incorporating elements like helpful neighbors, his own children, and explorations of his family history including stories about his father, Papa Kulis. He describes himself as an 'anti-hero,' and his comedy is often characterized as 'no-political-correctness.' Kulis’s success is reflected in the recognition he has received; he earned a platinum award from oeticket in December 2015 for selling 200,000 tickets. He is described as a 'rule-breaker hero,' a 'punchline-what-it-takes hero,' and a ‘comedy-believer hero,’ often presented as a ‘mouthpiece.’ He is married and has two children.
At the turn of the century Heinrich Eisenbach stood as one of the leading cabaretists and grotesque comedians of Vienna in the spotlight and formed there At the heart of the cabaret ensemble Budapester Orpheum.
Joe Furtner, born in Vienna in 1893, was a German actor and comedian. He considered Berlin his second home, living and working there for many years while maintaining his Viennese charm. He began performing at the Kabarett der Komiker as early as 1939, appearing in programs through 1942 and again in 1947. In 1947, he performed with Helmut-Zacharias-Quartett and 'Erinnern Sie sich? - Eine Melodienfolge' by Rudolf Nelson at the Neue Scala/Kabarett der Komiker, with Hanns Geert conferring and playing piano. He was also depicted in a 1940 magazine/journal as part of the Kabarett der Komiker ensemble. Furtner’s career encompassed stage, film, and radio. He appeared in several film roles and frequently performed in theaters including the Hebbel-Theater, Schauspielhaus Hansa, Berliner Theater an der Nürnberger Straße, and Renaissance-Theater. He was a Spielleiter at the Kabarett der Komiker, led by Willi Schaeffers, and a performer there for many years. Radio work provided numerous opportunities, particularly when a Viennese character was needed. He acted as Herr Huber in the 1953/54 radio series 'Die Arche Noack', portraying roles such as Pilkington in 'Da werden Tiere zu Hyänen' (1949) and Bellicek in 'Der kleine Grenzverkehr' (1953), and Prof. Düring in 'Der Kammersänger' (1959). He also appeared in the television variety show 'Wir senden Frohsinn - wir spenden Freude' in 1943, performing a segment called 'Wenn's dem Esel zu wohl wird' by Jo Hanns Rösler, which included various characters. A broadcast on October 8, 1943, from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM took place at the Kuppelsaal des Reichssportfeldes. Furtner is best known for his role as Professor Quatschnie in the radio program 'Die Insulaner' from 1948 to 1961, a character he frequently referred to by the nickname “Professor Quatschnie.” He often portrayed kind-hearted characters in stage productions and films. A quirk of his performances involved playfully refusing to pay for beer after offering people paprika peppers. Joe Furtner married Johanne Sophie Krüger in 1943. He signed a Philips photograph, and was part of the ensemble featured in a 1940 publication from Berlin P. W. Brocker.
Josef Armin was a comedian with Hungarian-Austrian roots who He also worked as a couplet singer, stage writer and director as well as a writer. He belonged to de n authors of the Budapest Orpheum in Vienna.
Liane Augustin, born Liane Augustin on November 18, 1927, in Berlin, Germany, was a German-Austrian singer and actress. Her family relocated to Vienna in 1944 due to the impact of bombing raids in Berlin and her father’s career change; her father, Karl Augustin, was a Viennese actor, and her mother was a concert singer from Frankfurt am Main. Inspired by Ilse Werner as a teenager, she received singing lessons and later studied music. Early in her career, around 1946, she performed at an American soldiers' club, and by 1949, she secured a recording contract with Odeon, later transitioning to Elite Special/Austroton. Augustin achieved significant success as a nightclub singer in Vienna’s Boheme Bar after World War II. She frequently performed with the Boheme Bar Trio, consisting of Michael Danzinger (piano), Laszlo Gatti (guitar), and Willi Fantel (bass). Her voice was described as possessing a unique guttural quality, blending playful, vulnerable, lascivious, and sentimental notes. From 1951, the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) prominently featured her, providing her with radio shows that extended her fame beyond Vienna. She made numerous recordings, primarily for the Vanguard label, and her first LP was released in the USA by Vanguard Records in 1952. She appeared in several Austrian films beginning in 1953, including Die Fiakermilli , Lavender , The Red Prince , And Who Is Kissing Me? , Liebe, die den Kopf verliert , and Licht auf der Piazza . Augustin’s career included representing Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958 with the song "Die ganze Welt braucht Liebe," which earned her 8 points and a 5th place finish out of ten participants. She also starred as Polly Peachum in a 1956 recording of The Threepenny Opera , an accomplishment that garnered the Grand Prix du Disque. She performed internationally, including a successful engagement at New York's Town Hall in 1961. She collaborated extensively with Robert Stolz, recording numerous titles with the Vienna Radio Orchestra. She participated in the German Schlagerfestspiele in 1964, though she did not advance to the final round. Liane Augustin died on April 30, 1978, in Vienna.
Liesl Löwinger, born Elisabeth Meinhard on January 11, 1918, in Graz, Styria, was an Austrian folk actress and comedian. She died in Vienna on October 15, 1980, following a pulmonary infarction, which was described as a 'heavy blow' for the community of Altlengbach. Löwinger’s journey into performance began with extensive training; she studied at the Graz Conservatory and received instruction in piano, accordion, speech coaching, literature studies, acting with Dorothea Neff, dance with Willy Fränzl, and singing with Professor Rittersheim. She married folk actor Paul Löwinger in 1938, which led to her involvement with the family-owned theater stage directed by him. Known as a 'drastic comedian,' she frequently portrayed down-to-earth women with a strong rural character, embodying characters like Mirzl, Zenzi, Kathi, Leni, and Mitzi. She appeared in numerous films between 1950 and 1970, including 'Der keusche Adam' (1950), 'Lachendes Wien' (1957), and 'Das Liab am Almsee' (1966). The Löwinger Bühne became central to her work. She gained theater experience at the Löwinger Bühne, and television recordings of its productions are considered cult classics. She performed in numerous folk plays alongside Paul Löwinger and her aunt Gretl. She retired from public life in 1970 to focus on her family, which included three children: Sissy, Guggi, and Paul Jr. Following her father’s death in 1988, Sissy Löwinger took over the management of the Löwinger stage, which has been touring Austria since 1997. She also contributed significantly to the Löwinger Bühne’s programming, directing, writing under a pseudonym, and organizing tours through Germany and the USA. Culture Minister Claudia Schmied praised Liesl Löwinger as a 'full-blooded actress' who charmed audiences with humor, while Niederösterreich’s Governor Erwin Pröll highlighted her contribution to bringing joy through her acting.
Stephen John Fry , holder of the title “Sir”, is a British-Austrian author, screenwriter, actor, director, journalist, poet, comedian and television presenter.
Alois “Zipflo” Weinrich was an Austrian footballer and also a de r outstanding jazz violinists of his time. He was also a comedian and actor.
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