Hape Kerkeling

Born Hans-Peter Wilhelm Kerkeling on December 9, 1964, in Recklinghausen, this multifaceted German entertainer has worn many hats: comedian, author, TV host, actor, director, singer, and voice artist.

Kerkeling first captured the public's attention in the mid-1980s. At just 20 years old, he landed his own television series, *Kangaroo*, in 1985. This success paved the way for beloved comedy shows like *Total Normal* and *Darüber lacht die Welt*. He also became a familiar face hosting major events, including Germany's preliminary round for the Eurovision Song Contest and the prestigious Golden Camera awards.

Beyond hosting, Kerkeling proved his creative range by writing, directing, and starring in both cinema and television films. He created an unforgettable gallery of comic personas, including Hannilein, Horst Schlämmer, Siegfried Schwäbli, Uschi Blum, and Evje van Dampen. His distinctive voice brought beloved animated characters to life: Po the panda in the *Kung Fu Panda* series and Olaf the snowman in the *Frozen* films.

In 2006, Kerkeling achieved extraordinary literary success with his travel memoir *Ich bin dann mal weg* (*I'm Off Then*), which became one of the best-selling non-fiction books in German publishing history.