Actor

Hape Kerkeling

German comedian

1964 - today

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His biography is available in 14 different languages on Wikipedia. Hape Kerkeling is the 8,375th most popular actor, the 5,804th most popular biography from Germany and the 273rd most popular German Actor.

Hape Kerkeling is most famously known as one of Germany's most beloved and versatile comedians, TV presenters, actors, and authors, achieving cult status through his sharp satire, masterful character transformations (especially his iconic alter ego Horst Schlämmer, the bumbling, politically incorrect reporter who "ran" for chancellor in 2009's mockumentary Horst Schlämmer – Isch kandidiere!), and hugely successful TV shows like Total Normal and Kein Pardon. He gained massive mainstream fame with his 2006 bestselling memoir Ich bin dann mal weg (I'm Off Then), chronicling his solo pilgrimage along Spain's Camino de Santiago, which sold millions of copies, inspired a film adaptation, and became a cultural phenomenon in German-speaking countries for its humorous yet introspective take on self-discovery and spirituality. Surprisingly, despite his long career of irreverent humor and drag impersonations (including Queen Elizabeth II and other celebrities), in early 2026 he starred in the hit culture-clash comedy film Extrawurst (premiered January 2026), which became one of Studiocanal Germany's biggest openings ever with over 1 million spectators, while openly discussing personal health challenges like weight issues and sciatica in interviews, blending his trademark wit with candid reflections on aging at 61.

Memorability Metrics

440k

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Past 12 months

49.88

HPI

Historical Popularity Index

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Among Actors

Among actors, Hape Kerkeling ranks 8,373 out of 13,578. Before him are Paige O'Hara, Charo, Jacob Elordi, Clayton Moore, John Cameron Mitchell, and Sid James. After him are Aydan Şener, Morgan Woodward, Jacqueline Bracamontes, Natalia Dyer, Samuel E. Wright, and Marjorie Main.

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Contemporaries

Among people born in 1964, Hape Kerkeling ranks 563. Before him are Marco Masini, Crystal Waters, Johan de Kock, Christa Miller, Hilde Gjermundshaug Pedersen, and Heike Henkel. After him are Midori Honda, Lisa Cholodenko, Berel Lazar, Vladimir Artemov, Stefano Palmieri, and Andrew Kevin Walker.

Others Born in 1964

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In Germany

Among people born in Germany, Hape Kerkeling ranks 5,804 out of NaN. Before him are Slobodan Komljenović (1971), Elyas M'Barek (1982), Lutz Heilmann (1966), Haha (1979), Thilo Kehrer (1996), and Heike Henkel (1964). After him are Yann Aurel Bisseck (2000), Robert F. Wagner (1877), Alexander Hacke (1965), Sigi Schmid (1953), Oliver Reck (1965), and Hito Steyerl (1966).

Others born in Germany

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Among Actors In Germany

Among actors born in Germany, Hape Kerkeling ranks 273. Before him are Christiane Paul (1974), Benno Fürmann (1972), Serkan Çayoğlu (1987), Harry Groener (1951), Karoline Eichhorn (1965), and Elyas M'Barek (1982). After him are Sabine Moussier (1966), Maria Furtwängler (1966), Volker Bruch (1980), Arón Piper (1997), Tom Schilling (1982), and Tia Mowry (1978).

German born Actors

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