Comedian Otto Waalkes honored with a lifetime achievement TV award for his career accomplishments
Otto Waalkes Honoured with German Television Award
Veteran comedian, actor, and entertainer Otto Waalkes has been honoured with the German Television Award for his lifetime achievement. The announcement was made by the award's current chairman, Arnim Butzen, who described Waalkes as a "gifted comedian" and "one of the most versatile entertainers in German television history."
The 77-year-old, born in the East Frisian town of Emden, rose to fame in 1973 with his own TV show that became a hit. The third edition achieved a viewing share of 44 percent, making it a local North German phenomenon that became a national event.
Waalkes, known for his role as the hyperactive jack-of-all-trades, has been a significant figure in German television for over five decades. His humour has accompanied multiple generations and has significantly shaped the understanding of humour in Germany since the 1970s.
In recent years, Waalkes has been seen in various productions, including "LOL - Last One Laughing" on Amazon Prime Video, where he was almost revered by his younger colleagues in 2024.
The grand TV gala where Otto will receive the award will be broadcast by ZDF on September 10. This year, the award ceremony will be organised by MagentaTV for the first time, with the ceremony broadcast from the Cologne MMC Studios.
Streaming providers Disney+, Netflix, and Prime Video are partners of the German Television Award, and in 2025, Apple TV+ is joining as a sponsor for the first time. The award is also supported by ARD, RTL, Sat.1, ZDF, and Deutsche Telekom.
Waalkes expressed positivity towards the changes in the TV industry over the past few years. He stated that he primarily watches comedy, documentaries, and sports broadcasts on TV. Reflecting on a debate from 2023 where his old TV shows were labeled with warning notices, he humorously noted the irony of receiving an award for his work in television.
The German Television Award's leadership changes annually, and this year's ceremony promises to be a memorable event, celebrating the career and legacy of one of Germany's most beloved entertainers.
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