Otto Gerhard Waalkes (born 22 July 1948 in Emden, Germany) is an East Frisian comedian and actor. He became famous in the 1970s and 1980s in Germany with his shows, books and movies. His perhaps most famous trademark are the 'Ottifanten' ('Ottiphants'), elephant-like comic characters of his own design. They featured on the cover of his first album release.
He shares a close friendship with tennis player Steffi Graf, who also makes an appearance (as herself) in the movie Otto – Der Außerfriesische. He has one child ("Benjamin Karl Otto Grigori Waalkes") with his first wife Manuela Ebelt, and was later married to actress Eva Hassmann until November 2011, who co-starred with him in Otto – Der Katastrofenfilm.
He also works as a voice actor, providing, among others, the German voices of Mushu in Disney's Mulan movies and Sid the Sloth in the Ice Age franchise.
Otto waalkes live in kempten 2014 bums
Filmography
Actor
2021
Help, I Shrunk My Friends as
Otto Leonhard
2021
Catweazle as
Catweazle
2018
Geheimakte Otto Waalkes - Harry Hirsch auf Spurensuche (TV Movie) as
Harry Hirsch / Herr Waalkes
2018
Help, I Shrunk My Parents as
Otto Leonhard
2015
Help, I Shrunk My Teacher as
Otto Leonhard
2015
Potato Salad as
Notrufbeantworter / Harry Hirsch
2015
The Time Carousel (Short) as
Wilhelm Tell (voice)
2014
Otto's Traum (Short) as
Otto
2014
The Seventh Dwarf as
Bubi (voice)
2011
Das Traumschiff (TV Series) as
Komponist
- New York, Savannah und Salvador de Bahia (2011) - Komponist
2009
Otto's Eleven as
Otto
2008
Otto live! Das Original (Video) as
Various roles
2006
7 Dwarves: The Forest Is Not Enough as
Bubi
2005
Siegfried as
Grille (voice)
2004
Crazy Race 2 - Warum die Mauer wirklich fiel (TV Movie) as
Wissenschaftler
2004
7 Zwerge as
Bubi / Bubis Mutter (#14) / Bubis Vater (#15) / ...
- Beach Boys (1993) - Baby Bruno Bommel / Norbert (voice)
- Der singende Seemann (1993) - Baby Bruno Bommel (voice)
- Mister King (1993) - Baby Bruno Bommel (voice)
- Greif den Zaster (1993) - Baby Bruno Bommel / Norbert (voice)
- Bärnapping (1993) - Baby Bruno Bommel (voice)
- Ausgerechnet Bananen (1993) - Baby Bruno Bommel (voice)
- Rock'n'Roll und Schokoküsse (1993) - Baby Bruno Bommel (voice)
1992
Otto - Der Liebesfilm as
Otto / Amor / Karl Masutra / ...
1989
Otto - Der Außerfriesische as
Otto Gross / Benno Gross
1987
Otto - Der Neue Film
1984
Holly - The Movie as
Otto / Gutes Gewissen / Schlechtes Gewissen / ...
1982
Ronny's Pop Show (TV Series) as
Ronny (voice)
1981
Ein neues Programm von und mit Otto Waalkes (TV Movie) as
Various Roles
1977
Otto V (TV Movie) as
Various Roles
1975
Die Udo Lindenberg-Schau (TV Movie) as
Marsmensch Gerhard Gösebrecht / Charles Bronson
Writer
2021
Catweazle (screenplay)
2014
The Seventh Dwarf (characters) / (story)
2009
Otto's Eleven (screenplay)
2008
Happy Otto! Wir haben Grund zum Feiern... (TV Movie) (idea)
2006
7 Dwarves: The Forest Is Not Enough
2004
7 Zwerge (screenplay)
2001
Kommando Störtebeker (characters)
2000
Otto - Der Katastrofenfilm (screenplay)
1995
Otto - Die Serie (TV Series) (writer - 6 episodes)
- Episode #1.6 (1995) - (writer)
- Episode #1.5 (1995) - (writer)
- Episode #1.4 (1995) - (writer)
- Episode #1.3 (1995) - (writer)
- Episode #1.2 (1995) - (writer)
- Episode #1.1 (1995) - (writer)
1993
Ottifanten (TV Series) (by - 13 episodes)
- Traumhochzeit (1993) - (by)
- Unkraut vergeht nicht (1993) - (by)
- Abenteuer Wildnis (1993) - (by)
- Die Bestie der Vorstadt (1993) - (by)
- Babysitterblues (1993) - (by)
- Happy Birthday (1993) - (by)
- Beach Boys (1993) - (by)
- Der singende Seemann (1993) - (by)
- Mister King (1993) - (by)
- Greif den Zaster (1993) - (by)
- Bärnapping (1993) - (by)
- Ausgerechnet Bananen (1993) - (by)
- Rock'n'Roll und Schokoküsse (1993) - (by)
1992
Otto - Der Liebesfilm (writer)
1989
Otto - Der Außerfriesische (writer)
1987
Otto - Der Neue Film (written by)
1984
Holly - The Movie (screenplay)
1983
Hilfe, Otto kommt! (TV Special) (uncredited)
1981
Ein neues Programm von und mit Otto Waalkes (TV Movie) (screenplay)
1979
Die Otto-Show VII (TV Special)
1978
Die Otto Show VI (TV Special)
1977
Otto V (TV Movie)
1975
Otto - Das 3. Programm (TV Special)
1973
Die Otto Show (TV Special)
Director
1995
Otto - Die Serie (TV Series) (13 episodes)
1992
Otto - Der Liebesfilm
1989
Otto - Der Außerfriesische
1987
Otto - Der Neue Film
1984
Holly - The Movie
1983
Hilfe, Otto kommt! (TV Special) (uncredited)
1982
Ronny's Pop Show (TV Series)
1981
Ein neues Programm von und mit Otto Waalkes (TV Movie)
Soundtrack
2021
Catweazle (lyrics: "Schlummer Song", "Kühlwaldas Abschied", "Elektriktrick", "Drunt' im Tal") / (music: "Schlummer Song", "Kühlwaldas Abschied", "Elektriktrick", "Drunt' im Tal") / (performer: "Schlummer Song", "Kühlwaldas Abschied", "Elektriktrick", "Drunt' im Tal")
2015
Otto: Geboren um zu blödeln (TV Special) (performer: "Wahnsinn", "Ich bin Ostfriese", "Fischflossenflipflops", "Schifoan", "Geboren um zu blödeln")
2014
Udo Jürgens - Mitten im leben (TV Special) (performer: "Es wird Nacht, Senorita/Friesischer Wein/Aber bitte mit Sahne")
2000
Otto - Der Katastrofenfilm (performer: "Friesenjung (Englishman in N.Y.)", "Great Balls of Fire", "No Milk Today", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", "Dummasack", "Time to Say Goodbye", "Only You", "Something Stupid" - as Otto)
1994
Otto - Die Serie (TV Series) (performer: "Meise/My Way")
1992
Otto - Der Liebesfilm (performer: "The Joker", "Ya Ya", "I Can't Dance", "La Bamba" (uncredited), "Ermunterung" (uncredited), "Drunt im Tal" (uncredited), "Der Keuschgauer Reinheitsreigen" (uncredited))
1987
Otto - Der Neue Film (performer: "Wochenend und Sonnenschein", "Otto, Otto" (uncredited), "Das Lied von den armen reichen Professoren" (uncredited), "Du bist..." (uncredited), "Wir beide sind häßlich" (uncredited))
1984
Holly - The Movie (performer: "Sch(l)aflied", "Drunt' im Tal" - uncredited)
1983
Hilfe, Otto kommt! (TV Special) (performer: "Honey Pie", "Arroganz-Versicherung", "Drunt' im Tal da sitzt das kleine Ottili", "Hänsel und Gretel", "Liebe Freunde von Otti")
1981
Ein neues Programm von und mit Otto Waalkes (TV Movie) (performer: "Was ich Dir sagen will", "Auf einem Baum ein Kuckuck...", "Ich bin so wild nach meinem Spiegelbild")
1979
Die Otto-Show VII (TV Special) (performer: "Ich singe nur Scheiß", "Abendstille überall", "Das Lied der Schlümpfe")
1978
Die Otto Show VI (TV Special) (performer: "Anfangsbuchstabensong", "Heidi", "Ich brauche keine Millionen")
1977
Otto V (TV Movie) (performer: "Only You", "Der Schwamm-Drüber-Blues", "Im Frühtau zu Berge wir zieh'n", "Dupscheck")
1976
Otto IV (TV Special) (performer: "Im Frühtau zu Berge wir zieh'n")
1975
Otto - Das 3. Programm (TV Special) (performer: "Dänen lügen nicht")
1974
Otto Waalkes: MCVKIIRVIII (TV Special) (performer: "Honey Pie", "Are You Lonesome Tonight", "Wild Thing", "Fever", "She's a Woman in Gold But She's Not Very Old")
1973
Die Otto Show (TV Special) (performer: "Tiptoe Through the Tulips", "Das Wetter", "Wandering Star", "Es wird Nacht, Senorita", "Fool on the Hill", "Jailhouse Rock", "Banana Boat", "L'Important c'est la Rose", "Johnny-Be-Goode")
Producer
2015
Potato Salad (executive producer)
2014
The Seventh Dwarf (co-producer)
2009
Otto's Eleven (producer)
2006
7 Dwarves: The Forest Is Not Enough (producer)
2004
7 Zwerge (producer)
1983
Hilfe, Otto kommt! (TV Special) (producer - uncredited)
Composer
2023
Joost, Ski Aggu & Otto Waalkes: Friesenjung (Music Video)
2015
Potato Salad
2004
Jasmin Wagner: The Love of My Life (Music Video)
1992
Otto - Der Liebesfilm
1987
Otto - Der Neue Film
Animation Department
1981
Ein neues Programm von und mit Otto Waalkes (TV Movie) (animator)
1979
Die Otto-Show VII (TV Special) (animator)
1978
Die Otto Show VI (TV Special) (animator - uncredited)
Miscellaneous
2002
Ice Age (voice dubbing: Sid - uncredited)
1998
Mulan (voice dubbing: Mushu - uncredited)
1987
Otto - Der Neue Film (choreographer)
Art Department
2004
7 Zwerge (graphic artist)
Thanks
2018
Pink Elephants (Documentary) (thanks)
2007
Lissi und der wilde Kaiser (thanks)
Self
2023
Die Abendschau (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Episode dated 23 October 2023 (2023) - Self
2023
Live nach Neun (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 13 October 2023 (2023) - Self
2018
DAS! (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 11 October 2023 (2023) - Self
- Episode dated 27 May 2018 (2018) - Self
2023
Zervakis & Opdenhövel. Live. (TV Series) as
Self
- Premiere (2023) - Self
2023
Capriccio (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Episode dated 13 July 2023 (2023) - Self
2022
Ottos Märchenshow (TV Special) as
Self - Host
2021
Leute heute (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Episode dated 7 October 2022 (2022) - Self
- Episode dated 29 August 2022 (2022) - Self
- Episode dated 20 May 2022 (2022) - Self
- Episode dated 28 April 2022 (2022) - Self
- Episode dated 24 March 2022 (2022) - Self
- Episode dated 22 June 2021 (2021) - Self
2022
Bayerischer Filmpreis 2021 (TV Special) as
Self
2021
Die Feste mit Florian Silbereisen (TV Series) as
Self
- Schlagerbooom 2021 - Alles funkelt! Alles glitzert! (2021) - Self
2017
Klein gegen Groß - Das unglaubliche Duell (TV Series) as
Self / Self - Guest
- 10 Jahre 'Klein gegen Groß' - Die unglaublichsten Geschichten der Kinder (2021) - Self
- Episode #1.44 (2021) - Self
- Episode #1.24 (2017) - Self - Guest
1985
Verstehen Sie Spaß? (TV Series) as
Self
- Verstehen Sie Spaß? Spezial vom 21.08.2021 (2021) - Self
- 40 Jahre Verstehen Sie Spaß? - Die große Bescherung (2020) - Self
- Folge 148 (2013) - Self
- Episode #1.35 (1985) - Self
2021
Germany's Next Topmodel (TV Series) as
Self
- Berlin is calling! (2021) - Self
2020
Happy Birthday, Thomas Gottschalk! (TV Special) as
Self
2008
Der deutsche Comedypreis (TV Series) as
Self
- Der 20. Deutsche Comedy Preis (2019) - Self
- Der Deutsche Comedy-Preis 2008 (2008) - Self
2019
Kalkofes Mattscheibe - Rekalked (TV Series) as
Self
- Die große Jubiläumsgala - 25 Jahre Kalkofes Mattscheibe (2019) - Self
2019
Die Peter Kraus Gala (TV Special) as
Self
2019
Peter Kraus: Immer in Bewegung (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
2018
Inas Nacht (TV Series) as
Self
- Otto Waalkes, Katrin Bauerfeind, George Ezra (2018) - Self
2018
Kulturjournal (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Episode dated 17 September 2018 (2018) - Self
2018
OTTO - Die Doku (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
2016
Merci Udo - Deutschland sagt Danke (TV Movie) as
Self
2016
Eppendorf's Cavern - The Legendary Onkel Pö (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
2016
Pantoffelkino (TV Series) as
Self - Interviewee
- Folge 69 (2016) - Self - Interviewee
2016
Circus Halligalli (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #7.16 (2016) - Self
2016
Udo und ich - Ganz mein Ding (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
2016
Der Meisterfälscher - Ein Fall für Beltracchi (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Otto Waalkes (2016) - Self
2015
Otto: Geboren um zu blödeln (TV Special) as
Self
2015
Bambi Verleihung 2015 (TV Special) as
Self
2015
Netzprediger (TV Series) as
Self - Interviewee
- Folge 40 (2015) - Self - Interviewee
2005
TV total (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 3 June 2015 (2015) - Self
- Episode dated 30 March 2006 (2006) - Self
- Episode dated 2 May 2005 (2005) - Self
1982
Wetten, dass..? (TV Series) as
Self / Self - Musician / Otto / ...
- Wetten, dass..? aus Nürnberg (2014) - Self
- Leipzig (2011) - Self
- Wetten, dass..? aus Düsseldorf (2010) - Self / Otto / Harry Hirsch
- Wetten, dass..? aus Palma de Mallorca (2009) - Self (as Otto)
- Wetten, dass..? aus Bremen (2006) - Self
- Wetten, dass..? aus Berlin (2004) - Self
- Wetten, dass..? aus Duisburg (2000) - Self (as Otto)
- Wetten, dass..? aus Linz (1998) - Self
- Wetten, dass..? aus Rostock (1995) - Self - Musician (as Otto und seine Ostfriesenjungs)
- Wetten, dass..? aus Emden (1990) - Self
- Wetten, dass..? aus Ludwigshafen (1982) - Self - Elefantenpfleger
- Wetten, dass..? aus Siegen (1982) - Self - Musician
2014
Deutschland, deine Künstler (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Nina Hagen (2014) - Self
2014
Udo Jürgens - Mitten im leben (TV Special) as
Self
2013
Heino - Made in Germany (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
2012
Frag doch mal die Maus (TV Series) as
Self / Sid
- Episode #1.16 (2012) - Self / Sid
2011
Die Harald Schmidt Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.14 (2011) - Self
2010
100 Prozent (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Otto (2010) - Self
2009
Granaten wie wir (TV Series) as
Self
- Tim Mälzer (2009) - Self
2009
Udo Jürgens - Die geburtstagsgala (TV Special) as
Self
2009
Punkt 12 (TV Series) as
Self - Sids deutsche Stimme
- Episode dated 30 June 2009 (2009) - Self - Sids deutsche Stimme
2009
100 Jahre Heinz Erhardt - Die besten gags, die schönsten sketche (TV Special) as
Self
2008
Happy Otto! Wir haben Grund zum Feiern... (TV Movie) as
Self / Various Characters
2008
Bully sucht die starken Männer! (TV Series) as
Self / Der Tod
- Casting Show (2008) - Self / Der Tod
2008
Ein Abend für... (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Ein Abend für Peter Frankenfeld (2008) - Self
2008
Alles Gute Karlheinz Böhm - Ein Leben für Afrika (TV Special) as
Self
2007
Genial daneben (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 21 July 2007 (2007) - Self
2007
Unsere Besten (TV Series) as
Self - Guest
- Komiker & Co. (2007) - Self - Guest
2002
Ein Herz für Kinder (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Ein Herz für Kinder 2006 (2006) - Self
- 25 Jahre 'Ein Herz für Kinder' (2003) - Self
- Ein Herz für Kinder 2002 (2002) - Self
2006
50 Jahre Bravo - Die größte Geburtstagsparty des Jahres (TV Special) as
Self
2004
Die Johannes B. Kerner Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 19 October 2006 (2006) - Self
- Episode dated 4 April 2006 (2006) - Self
- Episode dated 20 October 2004 (2004) - Self
2006
PISA - Der Ländertest (TV Series) as
Self
- PISA - Der große Nationentest (2006) - Self
2006
Die Traumschiff-Gala zum 80. Geburtstag von Peter Alexander (TV Special) as
Self
2005
Der Kaiser wird 60 - Die Franz-Beckenbauer-Gala (TV Special) as
Self
2005
Typisch deutsch? (TV Special) as
Self
2004
Aufmarsch der Giganten Tour Documentary (Video documentary short) as
Self
2003
2003 World Awards (TV Special) as
Self
2003
Star Search (TV Series) as
Jury Member
- Das Finale (2003) - Jury Member
1996
Die Harald Schmidt Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 26 June 2003 (2003) - Self
- Episode dated 6 June 2002 (2002) - Self
- Show #732 - Immanuel Kant sagt, was geht/Haralds Humorschule (2000) - Self
- Show #502 - Die beste Überraschungsparty der Welt zur eigentlich 500. Sendung (1998) - Self
- Show #154 (1996) - Self
2003
Die 10 Millionen SKL Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 20 June 2003 (2003) - Self
2003
Die 70er Show (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- 1978 und 1979 (2003) - Self
2002
Only Otto (TV Special)
2002
Die 80er Jahre Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #2.2 (2002) - Self
2002
Ein Star und seine Stadt (TV Series documentary) as