Harald Schmidt
Biography
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
All Movies (16)
- Gruschel mich! Die studiVZ-Story2025 · as Self (archive footage)
- Beckenbauer2024 · as Self - Interviewee
- The Legend of Timm Thaler: or The Boy Who Sold His Laughter2017 · as Racecourse speaker
- Schreckenstein Castle2016 · as Graf Schreckenstein
- Rosamunde Pilcher: Ein Doktor und drei Frauen2016 · as lord Hurrleton
- Zettl2012 · as Conny Scheffer
- Stopped on Track2011 · as Himself
- Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten2010 · as Rooster (voice)
- Frei:Gespielt - Mehmet Scholl - Über das Spiel hinaus2007 · as Himself
- About the Looking for and the Finding of Love2005 · as Psychotherapeut
- 7 Zwerge - Männer allein im Wald2004 · as Jester Candidate
- Best of Harald Schmidt - Respektlos und Rezeptfrei2000
- Die Musterknaben 21999 · as Himself
- Late Show1999 · as Conrad 'Conny' Scheffer
- Die Samsas1998
- Nich' mit Leo1995 · as Bishop
All TV Shows (64)
- One Mic Stand2022 · as Self - Coach
- Kurzstrecke mit Pierre M. Krause2020 · as Self
- Kurzstrecke mit Pierre M. Krause2020
- Sträter2020 · as Self - Guest
- Ringlstetter2016 · as Self
- Gysi & Schmidt2015
- Gysi & Schmidt2015 · as Self
- Der Meisterfälscher2014 · as Self
- Schawinski2011 · as Self
- Erlesen2010 · as self
- SOKO Stuttgart2009 · as Prof. Dr. Lukas Gotthardt
- Nuhr im Ersten2009 · as Self
- Ein Abend für..2008 · as Self
- Schmidt & Pocher2007 · as Self - Host
- Der Sonntags-Stammtisch2007 · as Self
- WegGefährten2007 · as self
- Kulturplatz2004 · as Self
- Was liest du?2003 · as Self
- Menschen bei Maischberger2003 · as Self
- Lesen! Mit Elke Heidenreich2003 · as Self
- Menschen der Woche2000 · as Self
- Abendschau2000 · as Self
- Münchner Runde2000
- Kuli & Co.1999 · as Self
- Ottis Schlachthof1999 · as himself
- German Television Award1999 · as Self
- Volle Kanne1999 · as Self
- Gisbert1999
- Beckmann1999 · as Self
- Das McSchmidt-Studio1998 · as Self
- Sabine Christiansen1998 · as Self
- Talk 20001997 · as Self
- Leute heute1997 · as Self
- Die Harald Schmidt Show1995 · as Self - Host
- Lebens-Künstler1995 · as Self
- Schmidteinander - Das Beste1995
- Prix Pantheon1995 · as himself
- alfredissimo! Kochen mit Bio1994 · as Self
- Die Mike Krüger Show1991 · as Self
- Boulevard Bio1991 · as Self
- DAS!1991
- DAS!1991 · as Self
- Schmidteinander1990 · as Moderator
- Pssst ...1990 · as Self - Host
- Romy Award1990 · as Self
- Blauer Panther1989 · as Self
- Mitternachtsspitzen1988 · as Self
- Alles Nichts Oder?!1988 · as Self
- Klassentreffen1987 · as Self
- Nachtcafé1987 · as Self
- Goldene Kamera1984 · as Self
- Telestar1983 · as Self
- Menschen1982 · as Self
- Das Traumschiff1981 · as Oskar de Navetta
- Das Traumschiff1981 · as Oskar Schifferle
- Musikantenstadl1981 · as Self
- Wetten, dass..?1981 · as Self
- Verstehen Sie Spaß?1980 · as Self - Host
- Die Pyramide1979 · as Self
- Grimme Award1964 · as Self
- Zur Person1963 · as Self
- Bambi1948 · as Self
- Bambi1948 · as Self - Laudation
- Bambi1948 · as Self - Moderator