When people think of Germany, comedy usually isn’t the first thing that springs to mind. Fast cars? Sure. Excellent beer? Absolutely. But laughs? Most would say nein danke.
Yet that stereotype couldn’t be further from the truth. German humor is sharp, weird, and delightfully self-aware. These 15 comedians—from Netflix stars to subversive satirists—prove once and for all: yes, Germans are funny.
For someone trying to learn the language, comedy is also a great way to practice and learn about the culture, too. And just like with German-language music or films, there is something for everyone. The list includes German stand-up comedians, satirists, cabaret artists, and impressionists, among others whose German humor you can experience in the German language.
Many of these performers are masters of Kabarett, a traditional form of political and social satire that is a cornerstone of German humor and distinct from American-style stand-up. Prepare to have your funny bone tickled.
From Netflix stars like Enissa Amani to deadpan masters like Hazel Brugger and political satirists like Jan Böhmermann, these 15 German comedians prove that German humor is bold, witty, and diverse. Ideal for German learners, comedy lovers, and skeptics alike.
🔍 Not sure where to start?
– New to German comedy? Start with Enissa Amani (she’s on Netflix!) or Jan Böhmermann for sharp satire.
– Love sketch or character work? Try Martina Hill or Oliver Kalkofe.
– Looking to learn? Watch clips with German subtitles on YouTube and replay for comprehension.
– Short on time? Each comedian has a short video included—just hit play to get a quick feel.
1. Stand-Up Comedian Hazel Brugger
Born in the United States and raised in Zurich, Switzerland, Hazel Brugger is a stand-up comedian you may have seen her as co-host of EuroVision 2025 or as a “reporter” on Heute-Show.
Brugger’s comedic delivery is dry and deadpan. Is she joking? Or merely relaying a story? Brugger doesn’t offer up a bunch of setups and punchlines. It’s more subtle, and it’s all part of her comedy. Her first full-length feature “cabaret” program is 2015’s Hazel Brugger passiert.
2. Political Satirist Jan Böhmermann
While he is perhaps best known in Germany for his late-night show, Jan Böhmermann is known outside the country, too. Mostly for creating international incidents. He was investigated for making fun of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and created a scandal by taking out of context a clip of then-Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis “giving” Germany the middle finger. Clearly, Böhmermann knows how to make a statement. And he continues to question and challenge the establishment.
In addition to his now-defunct late-night show, Neo Magazin Royale, he’s hosted countless radio shows, podcasts, and TV shows, often with a round-table format. Satire is Böhmermann’s weapon of choice and he wields it oh-so-well. Whether that is in an interview with a celebrity, a monologue, or with a music video, like “Ich hab Polizei” as POL1Z1STENS0HN.
3. Taboo-Breaking Social Commentator Oliver Polak
Fans of German rappers K.I.Z already know comedian and author Oliver Polak as the sloppy, disgusting dictator in the group’s “Ich bin Adolf Hitler” music video from 2013.
It’s reflective of Polak’s sense of humor: ironic and sometimes dark. His comedy often deals with his experiences growing up as part of the only Jewish family in a small German village and as the son of a Holocaust survivor. He frequently puts the focus on fighting racism and antisemitism, such as his live show and book Ich darf das, ich bin Jude.
4. Character Comedian Bülent Ceylan
With his long black hair and triangular soul patch goatee, Bülent Ceylan looks like he should be in a heavy metal band. But the German with a Turkish background is a popular comedian from Mannheim. (Although he has made some appearances at major metal festivals! Spoiler Alert: He was also on the German version of the television show The Masked Singer.)
The comedian has won countless awards throughout his career and even had his own comedy show on television for four seasons. While his act is full of stories from growing up with a Turkish father and a German mother, Ceylan has many characters he portrays. With his dedication, he brings those characters to life!
5. Netflix Star Enissa Amani
Anyone who has browsed through Netflix’s comedy specials may already know Enissa Amani. Born in Iran and raised in Germany, Amani studied law and literature before moving into fashion. But by 2013, she had started doing stand-up and she hasn’t stopped.
Amani has been all over German television with her comedy. In 2017, she became the first female German stand-up comedian (the first in all of Europe, too!) with her own Netflix comedy special, Ehrenwort. Amani is bringing German humor to the world!
For German language learners, the German comedian’s Netflix special is great because it offers subtitles in English and German as well as other languages.
6. Comedic Alter Ego Olaf Schubert
With his trademark yellow argyle sweater vest, it is difficult to miss Olaf Schubert. Schubert is actually the invention of Michael Haubold. The character is confident but plain-spoken and, like Hazel Brugger, can be seen regularly as a commentator on Heute-Show.
Schubert also had his own show on ZDF and 3sat, Olaf TV – Von Schubert zu Mensch. He’s also starred in several films, including Schubert in Love and Olaf Jagger.
Many of the jokes lie in wordplay that may be difficult for German language learners. If that’s the case, subtitles or captions may help.
7. Intelligent Cabaretist Dieter Nuhr
Nuhr in Berlin from German stand-up comedian Dieter Nuhr is the first Netflix stand-up special from Germany. But Nuhr’s career goes back much farther than his 2016 special.
His first comedy stage production was 1994’s Nuhr am nörgeln!. Since then he has become a regular on German television shows, comedy programs, and stages around the country. Nuhr is known for bringing “intelligent cabaret” to German humor, with plenty of satire where seemingly no topic is off-limits.
8. Sketch Comedy Pro Oliver Kalkofe
If you enjoy sketch comedy, Oliver Kalkofe may just be for you. The long-time comedian seems to have no shortage of characters to portray, as witnessed by his extensive list of shows, performances, and audiobooks. This is one prolific comedian!
Kalkofe also does German voiceover work, where he counts being “the voice” of Matt Lucas when Little Britain is adapted for German language audiences. Kalkofes Mattscheibe is the German comedian’s long-running satire show for television that offers plenty of commentary on current events and pop culture.
9. Bavarian Cabaret Comedian Monika Gruber
Monika Gruber is considered Germany’s most successful cabaret performer. In addition, she is also an actress that can be seen on television and in films. Gruber is consistently being recognized and receiving awards, especially in her home state of Bavaria. (Gruber’s written about her childhood in a small Bavarian village in her memoirs.) Her most recent program was 2017’s Wahnsinn!.
10. Veteran Stand-Up Michael Mittermeier
There is a new generation of German comedians sweeping through Europe, but there are those who helped pave the way. Michael Mittermeier has been performing comedy since the early 1990s.
A long-time German stand-up comedian, his style also blends in some of the classic German cabaret style of comedy. With his 1996 program Zapped, Mittermeier gained national attention. He has won countless awards for his routine and even gone abroad performing in English.
11. Rising Star Felix Lobrecht
German stand-up comedian Felix Lobrecht is part of a new generation bringing German humor to the masses. After winning the German Comedy Prize for Best Newcomer in 2018, Lobrecht’s been in high demand.
He is frequently performing his comedy on German television shows and on tour while also hosting a podcast, Gemischtes Hack. He also does Was machen Sachen?, a show for 1LIVE Comedy comprised of quick, brief episodes. Both projects are collaborations with Tommi Schmitt. You can check out the first episode of the show in the clip below.
12. Physical Comedian Martina Hill
German comedian Martina Hill is all about characters. Some are silly, some are outrageous, but all of them are spot on. Accents, impersonations, physical humor: she does it all. Her dedication has meant she has earned her own shows like Knallerfrauen and Die Martina Hill Show. But you can see Hill seemingly everywhere, from television to movies and on stage. And every time she brings to life someone completely different.
13. News Satire Star Hans-Joachim Heist
American comedian Lewis Black has made a career out of being a grumpy old man that is not afraid to share what he thinks or raise his voice. And as Gernot Haßknecht, Hans-Joachim Heist has done the same on Heute-Show. While Heist is a German comedian, actor, and director known for more than just his recent role as a curmudgeonly commentator, it is his performance as Haßknecht that has brought him many awards and recognition.
14. Fearless Satirist Carolin Kebekus
Carolin Kebekus is one of Germany’s top comedians whose parodies and satires know no boundaries. With her stand-up shows like her 2025 tour “Shesus,” Kebekus discusses topics like politics and feminism. The host of Die Carolin Kebekus Show, she’s been recognized more than once as Germany’s best comedian.
15. Chameleon Comedian Tahnee
Comedian and parodist Tahnee made her first appearance on television in 2011 on RTL Comedy Grand Prix. Since then, she’s worked as a television moderator and comedian who is known for her impressions. On stage, Tahnee’s experiences as a lesbian are a major theme of discussion in her performances.
Tips for Enjoying German Comedy as a Language Learner
- Explore more comedians with LOL: Last One Laughing Germany. Based on the Japanese show Documental, this Amazon Prime series brings together a group of comedians who must make each other laugh, without laughing themselves. Hosted by Michael Bully Herbig, the German version is wildly popular and features a great mix of stand-ups, cabaret artists, and sketch performers.
- Turn on German subtitles (when available). Subtitles can really help bridge the language gap, especially with fast-paced or pun-heavy jokes. YouTube’s auto-generated captions have improved a lot—they’re not perfect, but they’re often good enough to follow along. If you’re using Netflix or Amazon Prime, switch to German subs whenever possible for language reinforcement.
- Look for comedians performing in English. Not quite ready to tackle full German routines? Some comedians, like Oliver Polak, have performed English-language sets that still showcase their unique style. For example, check out Oliver Polak live at Caroline’s in NYC for a taste of his cross-cultural humor.
Which of these comedians are you most excited to check out? Did I miss any of your favorites? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Photos of German comedians: Ceylan by D4Mance, Nuhr by Nuhr, Amani from Netflix, Heist by Willi Weber, Böhmermann by Jens Oellermann, Mittermeier by Olaf Heine, Gruber by Tibor Bozi, Schubert by Amac Garbe, Kalkofe by Steffen Jänicke, Polak from Shashatainment, Brugger by Noelle Guidon, Kebekus from official website, Tahne by Andra. This post contains affiliate links.
