Hape Kerkeling
Germany- Hans Peter Wilhelm "Hape" Kerkeling
- Comedy Roots
- Television Success
- Royal Impersonation
- Personal Life and Coming Out
- Film and Entertainment
- Television Highlights
- Later Career
Hans Peter Wilhelm "Hape" Kerkeling
Birth and Early Life1964:Hans Peter Wilhelm "Hape" Kerkeling was born on October 9, 1964, in Recklinghausen, Germany.
Comedy Roots
Radio Career:Kerkeling began his comedy career on radio, working with various German stations such as WDR and BR.
"Känguru" Breakthrough:His breakout role came in 1984, when he portrayed the character Hanniball on the satirical comedy show "Känguru."
Television Success
"Total Normal" and Awards:In 1989, he launched his own comedy show, "Total Normal," with pianist Achim Hagemann. The show received critical acclaim and won multiple awards, including the Golden Camera and Bayerischer Fernsehpreis.
Royal Impersonation
Queen Beatrix and "Schloss Bellevue":On April 25, 1991, Kerkeling famously impersonated Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, attempting to visit the president of Germany at Schloss Bellevue.
Personal Life and Coming Out
Sexual Orientation:In December 1991, Kerkeling's homosexuality was revealed on German television. He dismissed the news, saying it would not deter him from performing.
Film and Entertainment
"Kein Pardon":In 1992, Kerkeling wrote, directed, and starred in his first film, "Kein Pardon."
"Cheese":He rejected ZDF's offer to host the popular show "Wetten, dass..?" in order to work on the independent show "Cheese" with Hagemann.
Club Films:Kerkeling starred in several popular television movies, including "Club Las Piranjas" in 1995, which became a cult classic.
Television Highlights
"Warmumsherz" and "Darüber lacht die Welt":In the late 1990s, Kerkeling returned to ARD with "Warmumsherz" and hosted the popular Saturday night show "Darüber lacht die Welt."
AIDS Gala and Deutscher Fernsehpreis:In 2003, he was awarded the German Television Award for Best Entertainment Presenter.
Hosting and Quiz Shows:He hosted the national grammar quiz show "Großer Deutsch-Test" in 2004 and 2005 and the general knowledge test "Großer Deutschlandtest" in 2004.
Later Career
"Samba in Mettmann" and "Let's Dance":Kerkeling continued to act in films, including "Samba in Mettmann." He also hosted the reality show "Let's Dance" in 2006.
