One of the more popular characters in German television comedy, Horst Schlämmer was the brainchild of actor, writer, and -- obviously -- humorist Hans Peter Wilhelm Kerkeling. Born in Recklinghausen in 1961, Kerkeling got his start on the comedy series Kanguru in 1984. In 1989 Kerkeling would score his own show (Total Normal), leading to a long-running career that established him as one of his country's top comedic pranksters. Kerkeling's most popular character, that of journalist Schlämmer, featured him asking real people real questions regarding current events, but in a way that flouted normal social rules for strangers, such as using familiar pronouns and calling people "sweetheart." ~ Chris True