Hape Kerkeling

Acting

Hape Kerkeling

Born

1964-12-09 (61)

Place of birth

Recklinghausen, Germany

Known for

Acting

Credits

79 titles

Hans-Peter Wilhelm "Hape" Kerkeling (* 9. December 1964 in Recklinghausen) is a German comedian, author, television presenter, actor, director, singer, radio play speaker, audiobook and voice actor. Hape Kerkeling became a popular television and stage comedian from the mid-1980s. In 1985, at the age of 20, he received his first regular television program Kangaroo. This was followed by other comedy formats such as Total Normal or Darüber lacht die Welt as well as the moderation of major television shows such as the German preliminary round for the Eurovision Song Contest or the awarding of the Golden Camera. Kerkeling directed several cinema and television films as an author, director and a…

Known for

Film credits

2020s · 12 titles

The Holy Grill poster
6.4

At a tennis club in rural Germany, preparations for the summer party are led by Heribert. When a separate grill is suggested for Erol, the club's only Muslim member, tensions flare. What begins as a simple discussion quickly turns into a debate about societal and personal conflicts, threatening to tear the club apart.

The Holy Grill

2026

Horst Schlämmer sucht das Glück poster
5.1

Horst Schlämmer is back—and he's fed up. People all over Germany are in a bad mood. So he leaves Grevenbroich and sets off in search of happiness. It must be somewhere!

Horst Schlämmer sucht das Glück

2026

70 Jahre ESC - More than Music poster
NR

In 2026, the Eurovision Song Contest celebrates its 70th anniversary. With around 160 million viewers, the ESC is one of the world's biggest music spectacles. This documentary looks back on seven decades filled with music, emotions and passion. From its beginnings as a chanson competition in 1956 through flamboyant outfits and spectacular performances to unforgettable victories, bitter defeats and the political debates of the recent past. Stars like Jean Paul Gaultier, Hape Kerkeling, Tom Neuwirth (aka Conchita Wurst), and Germany's first ESC winner, Nicole, share their experiences on and off stage. The documentary paints a multifaceted portrait of the ESC, highlighting its profound influence on music, fashion, and society, as well as on the LGBTQIA+ community, thus becoming a vibrant journey through seven decades of European pop culture history.

70 Jahre ESC - More than Music

2026

Der Boandlkramer und die ewige Liebe poster
5.8

Death (in Bavarian: Boandlkramer) is supposed to get little Maxl, but he falls in love with Maxl's mother. Confused by the previously unknown feelings, he confides in the devil. The incarnate persuades him to start a business where the Boandlkramer gets the chance to compete for Gefi as a mortal. Encouraged by the advice of the recently deceased womanizer Max Gumberger, the Boandl stumbles through earthly life in search of eternal love.

Der Boandlkramer und die ewige Liebe

2021

Loriot 100 poster
8.5

Documentary about German comedian Loriot alias Vicco von Bülow, who would have been 100 years old in 2023.

Loriot 100

2023

Hape Kerkeling – Total Normal poster
8.8

To mark the 60th birthday of the multi-talented comedian, singer and author Hape Kerkeling, the two documentary filmmakers André Schäfer and Eric Friedler have created a quiet, thoughtful and entertaining portrait of this often anarchic humorist. The film tells of his rapid rise as a teenager, his time and the blows of fate during the AIDS epidemic, the controversial forced outing, his confident exit from the show business and his new beginning. The film is a sensitive insight into the family history and a fast-paced journey through the career stages of a formative figure in German TV entertainment.

Hape Kerkeling – Total Normal

2024

Mein Name ist Otto poster
7.1

The film tells the fairytale story of a scrawny East Frisian who, despite minimal starting opportunities, has had a unique career. Otto has always trusted his gut feeling, even when he often faced challenges that threatened to jeopardize his career. My Name is Otto shows comical moments and emotional high points, but also addresses the fears of a man who to this day firmly believes that his lucky streak could one day end.

Mein Name ist Otto

2024

Die Helene Fischer Show 2024 poster
8.0

Helene Fischer presents her show with national and international stars again in 2024. The audience can expect a program with special music, surprising choreographies and duets, touching moments and unique highlights.

Die Helene Fischer Show 2024

2024

No artwork available
NR

Film based on the sucessful children's book.

Pfoten vom Tisch

2027

Ein Abend mit Hape Kerkeling poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Ein Abend mit Hape Kerkeling

2021

Hier kommt Kurt! poster
NR

He is versatile, he is unmistakable, he is one of Berlin's best-known and most popular artists: Frank Zander. The singer and entertainer, who many of his fans affectionately call "Franky Boy", is still not thinking about retiring after more than 50 years on stage. Today, the man with the unmistakable grating voice celebrates his 80th birthday. After training as a graphic designer, Zander began his career as a singer and guitarist with the Gloomy Moon Singers, who later became the Gloomys. He began his solo career in the early 1970s and landed numerous hits with songs such as "Der Ur-Ur-Enkel von Frankenstein", "Ich trink auf dein Wohl, Marie" and "Oh, Susi", and was also discovered by television in the mid-1970s: Together with Helga Feddersen, he hosted the legendary "Plattenküche" and wrote a piece of television history. This was followed by quirky music and comedy shows such as "Bananas", "Vorsicht Musik" and "Känguru".

Hier kommt Kurt!

2022

Absolut Hape – Die Rollen seines Lebens poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Absolut Hape – Die Rollen seines Lebens

2023

2010s · 3 titles

2000s · 9 titles

A man, a fjord! poster
5.5

A fast-paced comedy full of misunderstandings: Norbert Krabbe from pan, unemployed Bürokaufmann and passionate contest participant wins a fjord in Lofoten. But how to get only to Norway - for "Norbert Crab Fjord" including his own cabin - when you're broke and one is already driving poor at S-Bahn? What Norbert lack of money, he makes through original ideas betting: Disguised as a cleaning crew, he makes his way to his daughter by train to Copenhagen, on we go as a hitchhiker and with ill-gotten ship tickets. Many abstruse encounters later, among others with Horst Schlämmer, Uschi Blum and the strong-smelling Norwegians Lars, who predicts the future based on a Dog Quartet, Norbert expects the next surprise at its destination ...

A man, a fjord!

2009

Horst Schlämmer - Isch kandidiere! poster
4.8

So far he has earned his living as deputy editor-in-chief at the Grevenbroicher Tagblatt, but actually Horst Schlämmer had always guessed: he was destined for something bigger - too much bigger. Without further ado, he therefore quits his old job, founds his very own party and thus starts his rush to the chancellor's office. While the election machinery is quickly started and soon picks up speed, only two questions remain unanswered: Is Horst Schlämmer ready for Germany? And is Germany ready for him?

Horst Schlämmer - Isch kandidiere!

2009

No artwork available
NR

To celebrate the 70th birthday of Alfred Biolek this documentary enters the stage of "Bios Bahnhof" again.

Bahnhof für Bio - Alfred Biolek wird 70

2004

No artwork available
9.0

Documentary about the first five decades of the Eurovision Song Contest

Tour d'Eurovision

2005

Best of Hape Kerkeling poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Best of Hape Kerkeling

2007

Samba in Mettmann poster
4.9

Olaf is to take care of the family's cleaner's store, while his dad is away on a fair. In the evening he runs into three Brazilian ladies thrown out of a limousine not knowing where to go. Olaf invites them to stay with him and his deaf pot-smoking grandfather, which at first just causes some confusion as he soon is to marry his girlfriend Vera. The next day it's topsy-turvy all over.

Samba in Mettmann

2004

Hape Kerkeling - Wieder auf Tour Live poster
8.0

There are only a few artists, which are versatile like Hape Kerkeling. On his solo program he shows his whole expertise at one evening. One of his friends must not be missing: journalist legend Horst Schlaemmer.

Hape Kerkeling - Wieder auf Tour Live

2007

No artwork available
7.0

No synopsis available yet.

Horst Schlämmer: Weisse Bescheid?

2007

Hape Kerkeling liest - Ich bin dann mal weg poster
5.0

No synopsis available yet.

Hape Kerkeling liest - Ich bin dann mal weg

2008

1990s · 6 titles

Willi und die Windzors poster
5.0

The British parliament has decided to get rid of the royal family. All of them have to leave the county and so they move to Germany, where they want to live by their distant relatives, the Bettenberg family. But these are not amused about their snobbish visitors, which all want to reside in their little house without doing any work to earn their living.

Willi und die Windzors

1996

No artwork available
8.0

No synopsis available yet.

Vorwärts

1990

Tobias Totz und sein Löwe poster
6.7

Tobias Totz is a very special zookeeper. He has a lot of understanding for his animals and everyone loves him, and he has grown very fond of the lion.

Tobias Totz und sein Löwe

1999

Kein Pardon poster
6.9

Since childhood Peter Schlönzke dreams of a career as a TV presenter. His great role model is Heinz Wäscher, who is always looking for talented young entertainers for his popular show. Peters mother announces her shy boy for an audition, which, although mercilessly goes wrong, but brings him a job as a cable helper. He meets the popular entertainer from the unlikely side: as a bus scrapper who despises his audience. When Peter stumbles into the limelight by chance, he has a unique chance - as successor to scrubber.

Kein Pardon

1993

Die Oma ist tot poster
6.0

Grandma Vera travels by bus from a small Polish town to Pinneberg to celebrate her birthday with granddaughter Linda, her husband Lothar and their two children Jan and Christina. Together with Lothar's stuffy, uptight parents, they spend a fun-filled evening. But the next morning, Grandma is dead. Although Grandma Vera actually wanted to lie next to Grandpa Pyotr in her hometown of Kovalov, the family cannot afford an expensive funeral. So there is only one option: to transport Grandma themselves.

Die Oma ist tot

1997

Club Las Piranjas poster
6.5

Karl-Heinz, a filling-station attendant, and his family, Herta, a retiree, Kurt, a drugstore branch manager, and Margot, a divorced man-hunter, have only one thing in common: they have booked a holiday at Club Las Piranjas, where they want to relax from their nerve-racking occupations. But there are three people knowing a way to prevent this. Most notably the two animators Edwin and Biggy, who don't allow any amusement outside their own plans, and of course the always drunken club chief Mrs. Wenger, whose only thought is, that there shouldn't be any reclamation from the travel agency. Apart from the scruffy condition of the Club (no water in the pool, etc). and the obscure Club activities involving Biggy and Edwin, the vacation becomes a complete horror trip, with only one end in sight, which is to part from the club as soon as possible. Written by Stefan Fey

Club Las Piranjas

1995

Series credits

DAS! poster
4.7

Every evening at 6:45 p.m. sharp, a prominent guest takes a seat on the red sofa—and DAS! provides daily updates on what's hot in the north.

DAS!

1991

No artwork available
4.4

No synopsis available yet.

Volle Kanne

1999

No artwork available
7.0

No synopsis available yet.

ZIBB

2003

Markus Lanz poster
5.5

TV presenter Markus Lanz invites prominent guests and experts from all areas of public life to his colourful talk show. As a rule, there are four guests, introduced individually to contribute their personal experiences to the topics.

Markus Lanz

2008

Die Harald Schmidt Show poster
7.4

The Harald Schmidt Show is a German late night talk show hosted on Sky Deutschland by comedian Harald Schmidt. The show first aired from 5 December 1995 to 23 December 2003 on Sat.1. Schmidt then moved his show to Das Erste as Harald Schmidt and Schmidt & Pocher, but he returned to Sat.1 on 13 September 2011. After cancellation on Sat.1, the show continued on Sky Deutschland in September 2012.

Die Harald Schmidt Show

1995

Leute heute poster
5.2

No synopsis available yet.

Leute heute

1997

Abendschau poster
4.3

The Berliner Abendschau is the news magazine for Berlin.

Abendschau

2000

MDR um 4 poster
5.0

No synopsis available yet.

MDR um 4

2014

Kölner Treff poster
6.8

No synopsis available yet.

Kölner Treff

1976

NDR Talk Show poster
6.6

No synopsis available yet.

NDR Talk Show

1979

maybrit illner poster
9.0

Political talk show on current topics presented by Maybrit Illner.

maybrit illner

1999

Das Traumschiff poster
5.0

The series is about a cruise ship that travels to places around the world.

Das Traumschiff

1981

Großstadtrevier poster
6.0

Follow the everyday work of a fictional police station on the Kiez of Hamburg.

Großstadtrevier

1986

Zimmer frei! poster
7.0

No synopsis available yet.

Zimmer frei!

1996

No artwork available
7.2

No synopsis available yet.

3 nach 9

1974

Beckmann poster
4.5

Reinhold Beckmann hosts a weekly talk show.

Beckmann

1999

No artwork available
7.2

No synopsis available yet.

Menschen bei Maischberger

2003

Wetten, dass..? poster
5.6

A long-running German-language entertainment television show based on the format of the British show You Bet! and the American show Wanna Bet?.

Wetten, dass..?

1981

Bambi poster
9.0

The Bambi, often called the Bambi Award and stylised as BAMBI, is a German award presented annually by Hubert Burda Media to recognize excellence in international media and television to personalities in the media, arts, culture, sports, and other fields "with vision and creativity who affected and inspired the German public that year", both domestic and foreign. First held in 1948, it is the oldest media award in Germany. The trophy is named after Felix Salten's book Bambi, A Life in the Woods and its statuettes are in the shape of the novel's titular fawn character. They were originally made of porcelain until 1958, when the organizers switched to using gold, with the casting done by the art casting workshop of Ernst Strassacker in Süßen.

Bambi

1948

alfredissimo! Kochen mit Bio poster
6.0

No synopsis available yet.

alfredissimo! Kochen mit Bio

1994

Dalli Dalli poster
9.3

No synopsis available yet.

Dalli Dalli

1971

Exclusiv - Das Star-Magazin poster
4.0

Exclusiv: das Starmagazin reports on the latest news and topics from the world of celebrities on a regular weekly basis. It covers the latest headlines relating to the stars as well as rumors and insights into the everyday lives of famous personalities around the globe. In addition to the 15-minute weekday magazine, there is a particularly detailed one-hour weekend edition on Sundays with additional reports and background reports on the celebrities.

Exclusiv - Das Star-Magazin

1994

Let's Dance poster
5.4

German version of Dancing with the Stars, the reality competition in which celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which are judged by a panel of renowned ballroom experts and voted on by viewers.

Let's Dance

2006

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Aeschbacher

2001

No artwork available
9.0

No synopsis available yet.

Tietjen und Bommes

1997

No artwork available
9.0

No synopsis available yet.

Tietjen und Bommes

1997

Inas Nacht poster
7.8

A late-night show featuring Northern German cabaret artist, singer and presenter Ina Müller - done "Müller-style": talk, comedy and lots and lots of music.

Inas Nacht

2007

No artwork available
5.7

No synopsis available yet.

Goldene Kamera

1984

No artwork available
5.7

No synopsis available yet.

Goldene Kamera

1984

No artwork available
5.7

No synopsis available yet.

Goldene Kamera

1984

No artwork available
NR

Annual awarding of the Grimme Awards.

Grimme Award

1964

RTL Samstag Nacht poster
7.9

RTL Samstag Nacht was a comedy show, which ran from 6 November 1993 to 23 May 1998 on the German TV network RTL. RTL Samstag Nacht was the first major comedy show in German television, created after the example of the long-running American show Saturday Night Live and broadcast late on Saturday night. It helped comedy in German television to a breakthrough and was a model for several later comedy shows. Karl Ranseier was a recurring character featured in fake news reports telling about his death at the end of each episode. The name Karl Ranseier has become a catchphrase in Germany that has led to its own joke category of Ranseiers which are in widespread usage outside of the comedy origin.

RTL Samstag Nacht

1993

Boulevard Bio poster
7.0

No synopsis available yet.

Boulevard Bio

1991

Heut' abend poster
7.0

No synopsis available yet.

Heut' abend

1980

No artwork available
8.5

A 30-minute weekly cultural magazine program. The head of aspekte, Wolgang Herles, describes the program as follows: "For 40 years, "aspekte" has repeatedly set out to enrich television with cultural contrasts. "aspekte" understands culture not as the sum of facts and events, but as the taste, the sound, the rhythms of the times. It has proven itself as a journal of true luxury and fashions as well as an instrument of public education and information."

aspekte

1965

Verstehen Sie Spaß? poster
4.7

No synopsis available yet.

Verstehen Sie Spaß?

1980

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Sternstunden

1994

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Blauer Panther

1989

LOL: Last One Laughing poster
7.5

Ten top stars of German comedy join in the ultimate battle to find out who laughs last! Who will be able to stay serious? Which performance won't leave a dry eye in the house? And who will be the last one standing?

LOL: Last One Laughing

2021

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Stöckl

2013

Behind the camera

Willi und die Windzors poster
5.0

The British parliament has decided to get rid of the royal family. All of them have to leave the county and so they move to Germany, where they want to live by their distant relatives, the Bettenberg family. But these are not amused about their snobbish visitors, which all want to reside in their little house without doing any work to earn their living.

Willi und die Windzors

1996

Willi und die Windzors poster
5.0

The British parliament has decided to get rid of the royal family. All of them have to leave the county and so they move to Germany, where they want to live by their distant relatives, the Bettenberg family. But these are not amused about their snobbish visitors, which all want to reside in their little house without doing any work to earn their living.

Willi und die Windzors

1996

Horst Schlämmer - Isch kandidiere! poster
4.8

So far he has earned his living as deputy editor-in-chief at the Grevenbroicher Tagblatt, but actually Horst Schlämmer had always guessed: he was destined for something bigger - too much bigger. Without further ado, he therefore quits his old job, founds his very own party and thus starts his rush to the chancellor's office. While the election machinery is quickly started and soon picks up speed, only two questions remain unanswered: Is Horst Schlämmer ready for Germany? And is Germany ready for him?

Horst Schlämmer - Isch kandidiere!

2009

Kein Pardon poster
6.9

Since childhood Peter Schlönzke dreams of a career as a TV presenter. His great role model is Heinz Wäscher, who is always looking for talented young entertainers for his popular show. Peters mother announces her shy boy for an audition, which, although mercilessly goes wrong, but brings him a job as a cable helper. He meets the popular entertainer from the unlikely side: as a bus scrapper who despises his audience. When Peter stumbles into the limelight by chance, he has a unique chance - as successor to scrubber.

Kein Pardon

1993

Kein Pardon poster
6.9

Since childhood Peter Schlönzke dreams of a career as a TV presenter. His great role model is Heinz Wäscher, who is always looking for talented young entertainers for his popular show. Peters mother announces her shy boy for an audition, which, although mercilessly goes wrong, but brings him a job as a cable helper. He meets the popular entertainer from the unlikely side: as a bus scrapper who despises his audience. When Peter stumbles into the limelight by chance, he has a unique chance - as successor to scrubber.

Kein Pardon

1993

Club Las Piranjas poster
6.5

Karl-Heinz, a filling-station attendant, and his family, Herta, a retiree, Kurt, a drugstore branch manager, and Margot, a divorced man-hunter, have only one thing in common: they have booked a holiday at Club Las Piranjas, where they want to relax from their nerve-racking occupations. But there are three people knowing a way to prevent this. Most notably the two animators Edwin and Biggy, who don't allow any amusement outside their own plans, and of course the always drunken club chief Mrs. Wenger, whose only thought is, that there shouldn't be any reclamation from the travel agency. Apart from the scruffy condition of the Club (no water in the pool, etc). and the obscure Club activities involving Biggy and Edwin, the vacation becomes a complete horror trip, with only one end in sight, which is to part from the club as soon as possible. Written by Stefan Fey

Club Las Piranjas

1995

Samba in Mettmann poster
4.9

Olaf is to take care of the family's cleaner's store, while his dad is away on a fair. In the evening he runs into three Brazilian ladies thrown out of a limousine not knowing where to go. Olaf invites them to stay with him and his deaf pot-smoking grandfather, which at first just causes some confusion as he soon is to marry his girlfriend Vera. The next day it's topsy-turvy all over.

Samba in Mettmann

2004

Hape Kerkeling - Keine Geburtstagsshow! poster
NR

On the occasion of Hape Kerkeling's 50th birthday, the "Gala Film" tells the story of the adventurous preparations in Berlin's Friedrichstadt-Palast for a lavish gala show that will, of course, never take place. Barbara Schöneberger takes on the role of the presenter and Hape himself appears as the chaotic director of the supposed "show", as his incompetent manager and as a pushy journalist.

Hape Kerkeling - Keine Geburtstagsshow!

2014

No artwork available
NR

For the stockbroker Marie-Eve, the day starts with buying and selling shares while brushing your teeth. Hectically, she races through life or past life. Between all the calls, she reaches a conversation from India. Your brother Paul is missing there! Despite fear of flying, she immediately gets on its way. Arrived in New Delhi, one disaster lines up to another: the planned meeting with the informant bursts, on the way to the hotel, the taxi driver almost runs over a passerby, the accommodation does not meet Marie-Eve's usual standard and at all - how should she find her brother in this chaos? Finally, she embarks on an exciting journey across India..

Alles wegen Paul

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