Otto Waalkes

Who is Otto Waalkes?

Otto Gerhard Waalkes is a Frisian comedian and actor. He became famous in the 1970s and 1980s in Germany with his shows, books and movies. His perhaps most famous trademark are the 'Ottifanten', elephant-like comic characters of his own design. They featured on the cover of his first album release.

He shares a close friendship with tennis player Steffi Graf, who also makes an appearance in the movie Otto - Der Außerfriesische. He has one child with his first wife Manuela Ebelt, and was later married to actress Eva Hassmann until November 2011, who co-starred with him in Otto - Der Katastrophenfilm.

He also works as a voice actor, providing, among others, the German voices of Mushu in Disney's Mulan movies and Sid the Sloth in the Ice Age franchise.