Acting · Neu-Ulm, Bavaria, West Germany [now Germany] · Born August 18, 1957
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.
MovieGruschel mich! Die studiVZ-Story
2025
as Self (archive footage)
MovieBeckenbauer
2024
as Self - Interviewee
TVOne Mic Stand
2022
as Self - Coach
TVKurzstrecke mit Pierre M. Krause
2020
as Self
Gredig direkt
2020
as Self
TVSträter
2020
as Self - Guest
MovieThe Legend of Timm Thaler: or The Boy Who Sold His Laughter
2017
as Racecourse speaker
TVRinglstetter
2016
as Self
MovieSchreckenstein Castle
2016
as Graf Schreckenstein
MovieRosamunde Pilcher: Ein Doktor und drei Frauen
2016
as lord Hurrleton
Gysi & Schmidt
2015
as Self
Der Meisterfälscher
2014
as Self
MovieZettl
2012
as Conny Scheffer
MovieStopped on Track
2011
as Himself
Schawinski
2011
as Self
Erlesen
2010
as self
MovieDie Bremer Stadtmusikanten
2010
as Rooster (voice)
TVSOKO Stuttgart
2009
as Prof. Dr. Lukas Gotthardt
TVNuhr im Ersten
2009
as Self
Ein Abend für..
2008
as Self
TVSchmidt & Pocher
2007
as Self - Host
Der Sonntags-Stammtisch
2007
as Self
MovieFrei:Gespielt - Mehmet Scholl - Über das Spiel hinaus
2007
as Himself
WegGefährten
2007
as self
MovieAbout the Looking for and the Finding of Love
2005
as Psychotherapeut
Movie7 Zwerge - Männer allein im Wald
2004
as Jester Candidate
TVKulturplatz
2004
as Self
Was liest du?
2003
as Self
Menschen bei Maischberger
2003
as Self
Lesen! Mit Elke Heidenreich
2003
as Self
Menschen der Woche
2000
as Self
MovieBest of Harald Schmidt - Respektlos und Rezeptfrei
2000
TVAbendschau
2000
as Self
Münchner Runde
2000
Kuli & Co.
1999
as Self
Ottis Schlachthof
1999
as himself
German Television Award
1999
as Self
Volle Kanne
1999
as Self
TVGisbert
1999
MovieDie Musterknaben 2
1999
as Himself
MovieLate Show
1999
as Conrad 'Conny' Scheffer
TVBeckmann
1999
as Self
Das McSchmidt-Studio
1998
as Self
Sabine Christiansen
1998
as Self
Die Samsas
1998
TVTalk 2000
1997
as Self
TVLeute heute
1997
as Self
TVDie Harald Schmidt Show
1995
as Self - Host
Lebens-Künstler
1995
as Self
TVSchmidteinander - Das Beste
1995
MovieNich' mit Leo
1995
as Bishop
Prix Pantheon
1995
as himself
TValfredissimo! Kochen mit Bio
1994
as Self
Die Mike Krüger Show
1991
as Self
TVBoulevard Bio
1991
as Self
TVDAS!
1991
TVSchmidteinander
1990
as Moderator
Pssst ...
1990
as Self - Host
Romy Award
1990
as Self
Blauer Panther
1989
as Self
Mitternachtsspitzen
1988
as Self
TVAlles Nichts Oder?!
1988
as Self
Klassentreffen
1987
as Self
TVNachtcafé
1987
as Self
Goldene Kamera
1984
as Self
Telestar
1983
as Self
Menschen
1982
as Self
TVDas Traumschiff
1981
as Oskar de Navetta
Musikantenstadl
1981
as Self
TVWetten, dass..?
1981
as Self
TVVerstehen Sie Spaß?
1980
as Self - Host
Die Pyramide
1979
as Self
Grimme Award
1964
as Self
TVZur Person
1963
as Self
TVBambi
1948
as Self
