Whether self-deprecating humour, endearing disgruntledness or wry jokes, Austrians never take themselves too seriously – and a good laugh is always appreciated. Accordingly, the national comedy scene has grown to be a force of its own, with a host of long established greats and up-and-coming new talent making the nation laugh with their razor sharp wit, political satire and social commentary. Here’s an overview of the most famous ones across the country’s stages and screens.
Alex Kristan
Whether Niki Lauda or Arnold Schwarzenegger: You’d be hard pressed to find a prominent Austrian voice that Alex Kristan has not imitated to perfection. Yet the Lower Austrian native came to his impressions in a very roundabout way: Starting out as a Formula 1 reporter, he first got to know greats like Lauda in real life before permanently switching to comedy in 2003. His first solo show, “Jetlag for Beginners” (2012), set the tone for his continued success: today, his shows are regularly broadcast on national television while he regularly fills the country’s biggest venues – including the Vienna State Opera.
Lisa Eckhart
Platinum blonde hair and over-the-top gowns mixed with an old-fashioned way of speaking that is reminiscent of centuries past: it’s safe to say that no one does it quite like Lisa Eckhart. Born in Styria, she started out in poetry slam before rising to stardom with her artfully exaggerated stage persona – an arrogant diva who is not afraid to break every rule of good taste, and enjoys every minute of it. Her shows regularly spark controversy, and often push the boundaries of what is acceptable in satire.
Thomas Stipsits
Taking to the stage with his first solo show at the tender age of 18, Thomas Stipsits has long since established himself as a household name. Especially duo acts such as “Triest” with fellow comedian Manuel Rubey quickly made him a crowd favourite, and he subsequently went on to star in various TV shows and films like the Viennese “Tatort”, comedies like “Love Machine” and countless others. Stipsits’ arguably biggest success, however, are his “Stinatz” crime novels set in and around the eponymous village in Burgenland where he grew up. Not only have they secured their place on the national bestseller lists, but have also been adapted for television.
Klaus Eckel
From disgruntled logistics specialist to celebrated comedian: Since quitting his job in 2001 and performing his tongue-in-cheek debut show fittingly titled “”Retraining as a Comedian“, Klaus Eckel has enjoyed resounding success throughout his career. He has written and performed more than ten solo shows, and also penned several books, columns and a screenplay along the way.
Michael Niavarani
No list of Austrian comedy greats would be complete without Michael Niavarani, who has been among the country’s most popular and successful comedians ever since breaking onto the scene decades ago. Rather than political jabs, his comedy relies on the art of storytelling itself – always rambling, anecdotal and delightfully self-deprecating. Besides on-stage performances all over the country, he’s also featured in a number of classic Austrian TV-shows, both as an actor and as himself. In 1992, he took over the reins of Kabarett Simpl, Vienna’s oldest cabaret stage, and later went on to open his own theatre, the Globe Wien, in 2014.
Viktor Gernot
If anyone knows how to put on a show, it’s Viktor Gernot. A trained singer, he appeared in major theatre productions such as “Elisabeth” before joining cult group “Die Hektiker” in 1994. He’s also a familiar face on Austrian screens, gaining widespread fame through his appearances on popular late-night shows and by starring in various (award-winning) comedy series. Still, he has always stayed true to his musical roots, both on the comedy stage and with his band “Viktor Gernot & His Best Friends“.
Roland Düringer
Roland Düringer’s career has arguably taken more twists and turns than many of his shows. Rising to fame in the 1990s with cult shows such as “Benzinbrüder” (lit. “Petrol Brothers”), in which he played a car-obsessed Viennese pub regular, his big break came in 1998 with the comedy classic “Hinterholz 8“: a film about the trials and tribulations involved in building a new home which to this day remains one of the most successful Austrian films of all time. While his material has always been about social satire, there was a noticeable shift in 2010 away from punchlines about horsepower and the daily struggle. Instead, Düringer temporarily gave up his car, mobile and TV, and made overconsumption, technology and the question of how to live a good life the focus of his stage performances.
Josef Hader
Hardly any other cabaret artist performs to such large audiences while remaining more artist than showman: instead of classic punchlines, the Upper Austrian native goes for the dark, the wicked and melancholy. For over a decade, his mercilessly cynical show “Privat” (1994) used to be a fixture in comedy programmes, and still ranks among the most successful cabaret productions in the country. He has left his mark on cinema, too: together with fellow comedy legend Alfred Dorfer he co-wrote and starred in the Austrian cult film “Indien” (1993), played grumbling detective Brenner in film adaptations of Wolf Haas crime novels, and even went on to direct his own film in 2024.
Gernot Kulis
First stepping onto the scene as master mischief-maker at radio station Antenne Steiermark, he moved on to national broadcaster Ö3 in 1999, where his legendary prank calls have fooled a host of celebrities, public offices and unsuspecting private individuals for over two decades. Additionally, he scored the best-selling Austrian single of 2002 with his song “Was is’ mit du?” (lit. “What’s up with you?”). He’s also prolific on the stage, where he has been filling venues with his irresistable energy and rapid-fire punchlines ever since his first solo show “Kulisionen”.
Lukas Resetarits
Political, socially critical and unmistakably Viennese are the best words to describe Lukas Resetarits, one of the pioneers of modern Austrian comedy. Since his debut “Rechts Mitte Links” in 1977, he has brought around 30 different productions to the country’s stages. Plus, he’s also made his name starring as the title hero of the cult series “Kottan ermittelt” (lit. “Kottan investigates”), which has been instrumental in making him known to a wider audience.
More names you should know
Naturally, it’s pretty much impossible to condense the sheer talent within the Austrian comedy scene into a “definite” Top 10: First, there’s fan favourite Alf Poier, who has brought his Dadaist humour even to the Eurovision Song Contest. And then there’s Alfred Dorfer, mastermind behind cult TV shows like “MA 2412”, still relentlessly touring the country’s stages with his politically-inspired solo shows. Another big name on the scene is Andrea Händler, who was already ranked among the greats when female comedians were far and few in between. Additionally, there is plenty of new talent making a splash: for example Christoph Fritz with his pitchblack sense of humour or Benedikt Mitmannsgruber with his stories about daily struggles and life in the countryside.
Whether past or present, great entertainers have a long-standing tradition in Austria: from famous Austrian writers to famous composers like Bruckner, Mozart and Brahms. On our blog, you can also discover the ins and outs of life and customs in Austria – from Fasching and the Perchten runs to the glamorous Viennese ball season. And if you would like to get to know Austria’s cosier side, we’ll take you along for a Melange in a Viennese coffee house or a glass of wine at a Heuriger. Happy reading!