Josef Hader

Josef Hader is an Austrian stand-up comedian, actor, and filmmaker born on February 14, 1962. He is recognized as one of the most successful and respected comedians in the German-speaking world.

Hader was born in Waldhausen im Strudengau, Upper Austria, and grew up in Nöchling, Lower Austria. He attended the Stiftsgymnasium Melk, where he made his earliest comedy attempts. Following his civilian service with the Red Cross, he began studying German and History. During his time as a student, he developed his initial comedy projects.

His early work included the comedy program Fort Geschritten, followed by Der Witzableiter und das Feuer, which earned him the prestigious Salzburger Stier comedy award. After ending his university studies, he wrote Biagn und Brechen in 1988 and Bunter Abend in 1990. Hader achieved a major breakthrough with the tragicomic play Indien, co-created with comedian Alfred Dorfer. In 1993, the play was adapted into a film directed by Paul Harather, starring Hader in the lead role.

Following the success of the film adaptation of Indien, Hader released the shows Im Keller in 1993 and Privat in 1994. His program Privat became the most successful comedy show in Austrian history. Over his career, he wrote and performed numerous other stage projects, including Im milden Westen, Tausche Witze gegen Geld, Hader spielt Hader, and Hader muss weg. In Hader muss weg, he shifted toward a performance focused more on acting, portraying seven distinct characters using only a simple trenchcoat, gestures, voice, and facial expressions.

Alongside his stage career, Hader starred in commercially successful films such as Komm, süßer Tod in 2000, Silentium in 2004, and The Bone Man in 2009. He also earned critical praise for his roles in television and film dramas, including Der Überfall in 2000 and Ein halbes Leben in 2008. His popularity in Germany was further boosted by regular appearances on various German comedy shows, including Neues aus der Anstalt, Scheibenwischer, Quatsch Comedy Club, and Ottis Schlachthof.

Over the course of his career, Hader has received several major honors, including the Best Actor Award at the Locarno International Film Festival, the Romy Award, the Adolf Grimme Award, and the German Television Award. On a personal level, he is the father of two sons.