Biography
Otto Waalkes, born in Emden in 1948, ranks among the most successful German comedians of all time. He first gained widespread recognition in the mid-1970s through his comedy albums and his own television show. By the mid-1980s—culminating with the release of his first feature film, Otto – Der Film—he had risen to the status of an absolute superstar. With a box-office tally of over 14 million viewers, this comedy is considered the most successful German film of all time. The following years saw the release of further installments in the "Otto" film series, all of which went on to become major hits. After a period of relative quiet in the late 1990s, Otto Waalkes staged a major comeback in 2004 with the film 7 Zwerge – Männer allein im Wald (7 Dwarfs – Men Alone in the Woods). This ensemble comedy drew more than seven million moviegoers to theaters and was followed in 2006 by an equally successful sequel. In the new millennium, Otto established himself as a voice actor for animated films such as Ice Age. Although Otto Waalkes is frequently criticized for his allegedly simplistic and silly brand of humor, his films consistently find an audience.
Acted in 32
2020s
- 2025
Seiler und Speer: A schware Partie 25
Otto Waalkes
- 2021
Otto Fröhliche - Advent, Advents mit Otto und Friends
Various
Catweazle
Catweazle
2010s
- 2018
- 2016
Udo Lindenberg: Stärker als die Zeit - Live
Movie
- 2015
The Time Carousel
Wilhelm Tell (voice)
- 2014
- 2012
Best of Otto
Movie
- 2010
Otto's Eleven
Otto
2000s
- 2006
7 Dwarves: The Forest Is Not Enough
Bubi
- 2005
Otto - Die ersten 15 Jahre und mehr! (Goldedition)
Movie
- 2004
Crazy Race 2 - Warum die Mauer wirklich fiel
Scientist
7 Zwerge - Männer allein im Wald
Bubi
- 2003
Otto - Die DVD
Movie
- 2001
Otto - Mein Ostfriesland und mehr
Movie
Kommando Störtebeker
Bruno Bommel / Parrot (voice)
- 2000
Otto - The Disaster Movie
Otto / Baby Otto / Otti / Grandfather
1990s
- 1999
St. Pauli Nacht
Movie
- 1995
Otto – The Series
Verschiedene · 13 episodes
- 1993
Ottifants
Baby Bruno Bommel · 13 episodes
- 1992
Otto - The Romance Film
Karl/Otto/Amor
1980s
- 1989
Otto – The Alien from East Frisia
Otto / Benno Gross
- 1987
Otto – The New Movie
Otto
- 1985
Otto - The Movie
Otto / Otto's Father (voice) / Otto's Mother (voice) / Mr. Astrid (voice)
1970s
- 1973
The Otto-Show
Otto Waalkes · 9 episodes
Wrote 12
2020s
- 2021
Catweazle
Screenplay
2010s
- 2010
Otto's Eleven
Screenplay
2000s
- 2006
7 Dwarves: The Forest Is Not Enough
Writer
- 2004
7 Zwerge - Männer allein im Wald
Screenplay
- 2001
Kommando Störtebeker
Characters
- 2000
Otto - The Disaster Movie
Screenplay
1990s
- 1995
Otto – The Series
Writer
- 1993
Ottifants
Writer
- 1992
Otto - The Romance Film
Screenplay
1980s
- 1989
Otto – The Alien from East Frisia
Author
- 1987
Otto – The New Movie
Screenplay
- 1985
Otto - The Movie
Screenplay
Directed 5
1990s
- 1995
Otto – The Series
Director
- 1992
Otto - The Romance Film
Director
1980s
- 1989
Otto – The Alien from East Frisia
Director
- 1987
Otto – The New Movie
Director
- 1985
Otto - The Movie
Director
Produced 3
2010s
- 2014
2000s
- 2006
7 Dwarves: The Forest Is Not Enough
Producer
- 2004
7 Zwerge - Männer allein im Wald
Producer
Sound 3
1990s
- 1992
Otto - The Romance Film
Music
1980s
- 1987
Otto – The New Movie
Original Music Composer
Created 3
1990s
- 1995
Otto – The Series
Creator
- 1993
Ottifants
Creator
1970s
- 1973
The Otto-Show
Creator
Appearances36
2020s
- 2025
Hallervorden - Didi gegen den Rest der Welt
Self
- 2024
- 2023
Udo Lindenberg & Das Panikorchester - 50 Jahre Rock'n'Roll in der bunten Republik
Self
- 2022
Ottos Märchenshow
Self
- 2021
2010s
- 2018
Otto - Die Doku
Self
- 2016
Otto live - Holdrio Again
Self
- 2015
Otto - Geboren um zu blödeln
Self
- 2014
Pur & Friends: Live auf Schalke 2014
Self
- 2013
Die Helene Fischer Show 2013
Self
- 2011
2000s
- 2009
Granaten wie wir
Self · 1 episode
- 2008
Otto live! Das Original
Self
Udo Lindenberg - Stark wie zwei
Self
- 2007
- 2006
- 2004
- 2000
1990s
- 1999
TV total
Self · 2 episodes
- 1998
- 1997
- 1996
- 1995
- 1994
- 1991
1980s
- 1986
- 1983
Hilfe, Otto kommt!
Self
- 1981
So ein Otto: Best-of: Die Otto Show
Self
- 1980
1970s
- 1979
- 1977
- 1971
1940s
- 1948
Thanked in the credits1
2000s
- 2007
Lissi and the Wild Emperor
Thanks