Heinz Erhardt
Encyclopedia
Heinz Erhardt was a German
comedian, musician, entertainer, actor, and poet.
Heinz Erhardt was the son of Baltic German Kapellmeister
Gustl Erhardt. He lived most of his childhood at his grandparents in Riga
, where his grandfather, Paul Nelder, owned a music house. His grandfather also taught him how to play the piano
; Erhardt's wish to become a professional pianist was not supported by his grandparents who wanted him to work as a merchant.
In 1935, Erhardt married Gilda Zanetti. They had four children: Grit, Verena, Gero, and Marita. Gero Erhardt became a film director
and cinematographer
, and his grandson, Marek Erhardt, became an actor.
The spectacle wearer and non-swimmer Erhardt was drafted into the German navy
during the Second World War, but only on the third call-up; he served as a pianist in the Marine orchestra and only handled weapons during his basic training
.
After the Second World War he moved to Hamburg-Wellingsbüttel
and from 1948 worked as a radio moderator at NWDR. From then on he became more and more famous for his countless pun
poems. Also, he became an actor and a mime. In his films he always played a character that fit his stage persona as an entertainer and comedian. His roles were polite and slightly weird persons typical of the period of the Wirtschaftswunder
or "economic miracle".
Heinz Erhardt suffered a stroke
in 1971, which left him unable to speak or write. He was limited to reading and understanding the speech of others; these limitations ended his long career as an actor.
He was awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz
four days before his death in 1979.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
comedian, musician, entertainer, actor, and poet.
Heinz Erhardt was the son of Baltic German Kapellmeister
Kapellmeister
Kapellmeister is a German word designating a person in charge of music-making. The word is a compound, consisting of the roots Kapelle and Meister . The words Kapelle and Meister derive from the Latin: capella and magister...
Gustl Erhardt. He lived most of his childhood at his grandparents in Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
, where his grandfather, Paul Nelder, owned a music house. His grandfather also taught him how to play the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
; Erhardt's wish to become a professional pianist was not supported by his grandparents who wanted him to work as a merchant.
In 1935, Erhardt married Gilda Zanetti. They had four children: Grit, Verena, Gero, and Marita. Gero Erhardt became a film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and cinematographer
Cinematographer
A cinematographer is one photographing with a motion picture camera . The title is generally equivalent to director of photography , used to designate a chief over the camera and lighting crews working on a film, responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image...
, and his grandson, Marek Erhardt, became an actor.
The spectacle wearer and non-swimmer Erhardt was drafted into the German navy
German Navy
The German Navy is the navy of Germany and is part of the unified Bundeswehr .The German Navy traces its roots back to the Imperial Fleet of the revolutionary era of 1848 – 52 and more directly to the Prussian Navy, which later evolved into the Northern German Federal Navy...
during the Second World War, but only on the third call-up; he served as a pianist in the Marine orchestra and only handled weapons during his basic training
Basic Training
Basic Training may refer to:* Basic Training, a 1971 American documentary directed by Frederick Wiseman* Basic Training , an American sex comedy* Recruit training...
.
After the Second World War he moved to Hamburg-Wellingsbüttel
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
and from 1948 worked as a radio moderator at NWDR. From then on he became more and more famous for his countless pun
Pun
The pun, also called paronomasia, is a form of word play which suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. These ambiguities can arise from the intentional use and abuse of homophonic,...
poems. Also, he became an actor and a mime. In his films he always played a character that fit his stage persona as an entertainer and comedian. His roles were polite and slightly weird persons typical of the period of the Wirtschaftswunder
Wirtschaftswunder
The term describes the rapid reconstruction and development of the economies of West Germany and Austria after World War II . The expression was used by The Times in 1950...
or "economic miracle".
Heinz Erhardt suffered a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
in 1971, which left him unable to speak or write. He was limited to reading and understanding the speech of others; these limitations ended his long career as an actor.
He was awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz
Bundesverdienstkreuz
The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany is the only general state decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has existed since 7 September 1951, and between 3,000 and 5,200 awards are given every year across all classes...
four days before his death in 1979.
Selected filmography
- What Is the Matter with Willi?What Is the Matter with Willi?What Is the Matter with Willi? is a 1970 German comedy film directed by Werner Jacobs and starring Heinz Erhardt, Ralf Wolter and Ruth Stephan. A tax inspector tries to reform the Ministry of Finance. It was based on a character Heinz Erhardt played on television...
(1970) - That Can't Shake Our Willi!That Can't Shake Our Willi!That Can't Shake Our Willi! is a 1970 German comedy film directed by Rolf Olsen and starring Heinz Erhardt, Ruth Stephan and Günther Jerschke. It is a sequel to the film What Is the Matter with Willi?...
(1970) - Our Willi Is the BestOur Willi Is the BestOur Willi Is the Best is a 1971 German comedy film directed by Werner Jacobs and starring Heinz Erhardt, Ruth Stephan and Rudolf Schündler. Now retired from his civil service job, Willi becomes a door-to-door salesman. Is the third part of the 'Willi' series of films.-Cast:* Heinz Erhardt ... ...
(1971) - Willi Manages The Whole ThingWilli Manages The Whole ThingWilli Manages The Whole Thing is a 1972 German sports comedy film directed by Werner Jacobs and starring Heinz Erhardt, Erika von Thellmann and Hannelore Elsner. Willi takes over as manager of a provincial football team. German footballer Uwe Seeler appears as himself...
(1972) - The Viking Who Became a Bigamist (1969)