Harald Schmidt

Harald Schmidt is a German television entertainer.

Biography

Schmidt was born on August 18, 1957 in Neu-Ulm, Germany and spent his youth in Nürtingen, where he went to grammar school. He committed time to the Catholic church, became choirmaster and played the organ.

Related Topics:
August 18 - 1957 - Neu-Ulm - Germany - Nürtingen - Catholic church

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At the age of 21, he went to Stuttgart to attend drama school, where he stayed for three years. After that, Schmidt gained on-stage experience at Städtische Bühne in Augsburg. His first role was that of the 2nd Mamaluke in Lessing's Nathan the Wise. In 1984, he became a text writer for the cabaret Kom(m)ödchen in Düsseldorf and two years later, in 1986, Schmidt was honoured as "Best Newcomer cabaret artist" and toured through Germany with his own show.

Related Topics:
Stuttgart - Augsburg - Lessing - Düsseldorf - Germany

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It did not take long before TV noticed the talented young comedian, and in 1988, Schmidt began to host his first TV show MAZ ab. Shows like Psst! and Schmidteinander followed, but the biggest boost to his career occurred in 1992, when he became host of the popular Saturday night show called Verstehen Sie Spaß? (Candid Camera format), which features people being filmed with hidden cameras in embarrassing and funny situations. At this time Schmidt was awarded the most important German TV award, the Grimme Award, but it would not be his last one. Only one year later, he was honoured as "Entertainer of the year" and awarded the famous Bambi and the Golden Camera.

Related Topics:
Candid Camera - Grimme Award - Bambi - Golden Camera

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In 1995, Schmidt took another important step in his career when he changed from the publicly funded TV station ARD to the privately owned channel SAT.1 and started Die Harald Schmidt Show. It was not the first time that such a late night show was shown in German TV, since Thomas Koschwitz hosted one a few years earlier.

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From June 30, 2003 the show would be broadcast five days a week, including Monday evening.

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On December 8, 2003, the end of the show was suddenly announced by Schmidt, following a change of management of SAT.1. The last show was aired on December 23, 2003.

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In 2004, Schmidt toured through Germany with a live comedy show, featuring Manuel Andrack.

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On December 23, 2004, the new show began featuring Manuel Andrack, back on ARD, where Schmidt began his work on TV. The show now airs twice a week.

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Harald Schmidt resides in Cologne with his girlfriend and two children.

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