Anecdotes

The role of the stoic, corpulent police commissioner "Benno Berghammer" on Der Bulle von Tölz (1996) made him one of the biggest TV stars in Germany and Austria.

His popularity strongly suffered after tabloid "Bild" revealed his affair with a younger woman from Austria, which led to an embarrassing gossip drama. Although his wife finally forgave him, a majority of viewers said in a survey they don't want to see him on television again (June 2006).

Studied law at the Ludwig Maximilans University of Munich, but soon discovered his real talents and started performing as cabaret artist.

Speaks with Bavarian dialect.

Lives in Gauting near Munich with his family.

Has two daughters, Lara (born in 1991) and Marleen Marie (born in 1997), with his wife Renate, a journalist.

Winner of the "Deutscher Kleinkunstpreis", the most important German award for cabaret artists, in 1986.

Grew up on a farm in Lower Bavaria, near the border to Austria and Czechoslovakia.

Confirmed to suffer from Parkinson's disease (February 2008).

Born to Werner Fischer, a farmer, and his wife Maria Wagner. His father comes from Westphalia.

He does some radio commercials for hiendl - Wunderland des Wohnens (octobre 2004)