Harald Schmidt
Acting
Harald Franz Schmidt is a German actor, comedian, television presenter, and author, best known as the host of two popular German late-night shows. The son of refugees who fled the Sudetenland (now the Czech Republic) in 1945, Schmidt spent his youth in the Swabian town of Nürtingen. Due to his strict Catholic upbringing, he became actively involved in the Roman Catholic Church, serving as a choirmaster and playing the organ. At the age of 21, Schmidt moved to Stuttgart, where he attended drama school for three years. Subsequently, he gained stage experience at the *Städtische Bühne* (Municipal Theater) in Augsburg. His first role was that of the Second Mamluk in Lessing’s *Nathan the Wise*. In 1984, Schmidt became a lyricist for the cabaret ensemble *Kom(m)ödchen* in Düsseldorf, and in 1986, he was named "Best Up-and-Coming Cabaret Artist." That same year, he toured Germany with his own solo show. Television soon took notice of the talented young comedian, and in 1988, Schmidt hosted his first TV program, *MAZ ab*. This was followed by shows such as *Psst!* and *Schmidteinander*. He experienced the greatest boost of his career in 1992, when he took over as host of the popular Saturday-night show *Verstehen Sie Spaß?*. Schmidt was awarded the Adolf Grimme Prize—Germany’s most prestigious television award—the first of many such honors to follow. Just one year later, he was named "Entertainer of the Year" and received both the Bambi and the *Goldene Kamera* awards.
Known for
Acting75
movieGruschel mich! Die studiVZ-Story
2025
Self (archive footage)
movieBeckenbauer
2024
Self - Interviewee
tvOne Mic Stand
2022
Self - Coach
tvSträter
2020
Self - Guest
movieThe Legend of Timm Thaler: or The Boy Who Sold His Laughter
2017
Racecourse speaker
movieSchreckenstein Castle
2016
Graf Schreckenstein
movieRosamunde Pilcher: Ein Doktor und drei Frauen
2016
lord Hurrleton
movieZettl
2012
Conny Scheffer
movieStopped on Track
2011
Himself
movieDie Bremer Stadtmusikanten
2010
Rooster (voice)
tvSOKO Stuttgart
2009
Prof. Dr. Lukas Gotthardt
tvSchmidt & Pocher
2007
Self - Host
movieAbout the Looking for and the Finding of Love
2005
Psychotherapeut
movie7 Zwerge - Männer allein im Wald
2004
Jester Candidate
tvAbendschau
2000
Self
movieDie Musterknaben 2
1999
Himself
movieLate Show
1999
Conrad 'Conny' Scheffer
tvBeckmann
1999
Self
tvTalk 2000
1997
Self
tvDie Harald Schmidt Show
1995
Self - Host
movieNich' mit Leo
1995
Bishop
tvDAS!
1991
Self
tvSchmidteinander
1990
Moderator
Pssst ...
1990
Self - Host
tvNachtcafé
1987
Self
tvDas Traumschiff
1981
Oskar de Navetta / Oskar Schifferle
tvVerstehen Sie Spaß?
1980
Self - Host
tvZur Person
1963
Self
tvBambi
1948
Self - Laudation / Self / Self - Moderator
Creator1
tvLabaule & Erben
2018
Creator
Production1
tvSchmidt & Pocher
2007
Producer