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 Sa…

Movies & TV Shows

1. 7 Zwerge - Männer allein im Wald (2004) — Jester Candidate
2. Stopped on Track (2011) — Himself
3. The Legend of Timm Thaler: or The Boy Who Sold His Laughter (2017) — Racecourse speaker
4. Schreckenstein Castle (2016) — Graf Schreckenstein
5. Late Show (1999) — Conrad 'Conny' Scheffer
6. Wetten, dass..? (1981) — Self
7. About the Looking for and the Finding of Love (2005) — Psychotherapeut
8. Die Harald Schmidt Show (1995) — Self - Host
9. Das Traumschiff (1981) — Oskar de Navetta
10. Die Musterknaben 2 (1999) — Himself
11. Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten (2010) — Rooster (voice)
12. Zettl (2012) — Conny Scheffer
13. SOKO Stuttgart (2009) — Prof. Dr. Lukas Gotthardt
14. Volle Kanne (1999) — Self
15. DAS! (1991)
16. Verstehen Sie Spaß? (1980) — Self - Host
17. Frei:Gespielt - Mehmet Scholl - Über das Spiel hinaus (2007) — Himself
18. Leute heute (1997) — Self
19. Beckenbauer (2024) — Self - Interviewee
20. Menschen bei Maischberger (2003) — Self
21. Nich' mit Leo (1995) — Bishop
22. Rosamunde Pilcher: Ein Doktor und drei Frauen (2016) — lord Hurrleton
23. Schmidteinander (1990) — Moderator
24. Goldene Kamera (1984) — Self
25. Beckmann (1999) — Self
26. Abendschau (2000) — Self
27. Nachtcafé (1987) — Self
28. Mitternachtsspitzen (1988) — Self
29. Gruschel mich! Die studiVZ-Story (2025) — Self (archive footage)
30. Schmidt & Pocher (2007) — Self - Host
31. Gisbert (1999)
32. Alles Nichts Oder?! (1988) — Self
33. Kurzstrecke mit Pierre M. Krause (2020) — Self
34. One Mic Stand (2022) — Self - Coach
35. Die Pyramide (1979) — Self
36. Nuhr im Ersten (2009) — Self
37. alfredissimo! Kochen mit Bio (1994) — Self
38. Boulevard Bio (1991) — Self
39. Menschen (1982) — Self
40. Lesen! Mit Elke Heidenreich (2003) — Self