Josef Hader

Josef Hader, born on February 14, 1962, in Waldhausen, Austria, is a prominent figure in the Austrian comedy scene. After completing his education at a grammar school in Melk, Lower Austria, he embarked on a journey to study German and History in 1981. However, his passion for comedy quickly took precedence. In 1982, he penned his first cabaret play, "Fort Geschritten." Hader's talent earned him recognition with his second play, "Der Witzableiter und das Feuer," which won him the prestigious "Salzburger Stier" Award in 1985.

Ultimately, he decided to leave his studies behind, producing works such as "Biagn und Brechen" in 1988 and "Bunter Abend" in 1990. His major breakthrough came with the tragicomic play "Indien," which was adapted into a film in 1993 by Paul Harather, featuring Hader in the lead role. Following this success, he solidified his status as one of Austria's leading comedians with subsequent plays like "Im Keller" (1993) and "Privat" (1994). Hader made a notable return to the big screen in the 2000 thriller "Komm, süsser Tod" ("Come Sweet Death"), where he not only starred but also contributed as the screenwriter. His unique blend of humor and depth has made him a respected figure in the arts.