Person
Harald Schmidt
Neu-Ulm, Bavaria, West Germany [now Germany]
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 th…
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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.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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2025
Die Gruaberin
TV show Self
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2025
Gruschel mich! Die studiVZ-Story
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2024
Beckenbauer
Movie Self - Interviewee
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2022
One Mic Stand
TV show Self - Coach
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2020
Kurzstrecke mit Pierre M. Krause
TV show Self
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2020
Gredig direkt
TV show Self
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2020
Sträter
TV show Self - Guest
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2018
Labaule & Erben
TV show Creator
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2017
The Legend of Timm Thaler: or The Boy Who Sold His Laughter
Movie Racecourse speaker
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2016
Ringlstetter
TV show Self
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2016
Schreckenstein Castle
Movie Graf Schreckenstein
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2016
Rosamunde Pilcher: Ein Doktor und drei Frauen
Movie lord Hurrleton
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2015
Gysi & Schmidt
TV show
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2014
Der Meisterfälscher
TV show Self
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2012
Zettl
Movie Conny Scheffer
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2011
Stopped on Track
Movie Himself
More credits
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2011
Schawinski
TV show Self
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2010
Erlesen
TV show self
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2010
Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten
Movie Rooster (voice)
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2009
SOKO Stuttgart
TV show Prof. Dr. Lukas Gotthardt
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2009
Nuhr im Ersten
TV show Self
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2008
Ein Abend für..
TV show Self
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2007
Schmidt & Pocher
TV show Self - Host
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2007
Der Sonntags-Stammtisch
TV show Self
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2007
Frei:Gespielt - Mehmet Scholl - Über das Spiel hinaus
Movie Himself
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2007
WegGefährten
TV show self
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2005
About the Looking for and the Finding of Love
Movie Psychotherapeut
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2004
7 Zwerge - Männer allein im Wald
Movie Jester Candidate
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2004
Kulturplatz
TV show Self
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2003
Was liest du?
TV show Self
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2003
Menschen bei Maischberger
TV show Self
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2003
Lesen! Mit Elke Heidenreich
TV show Self
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2000
Menschen der Woche
TV show Self
- 2000
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2000
Abendschau
TV show Self
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2000
Münchner Runde
TV show
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1999
Kuli & Co.
TV show Self
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1999
Ottis Schlachthof
TV show himself
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1999
Deutscher Fernsehpreis
TV show Self
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1999
Volle Kanne
TV show Self
