Heinz Erhardt (20 February 1909 in Riga – 5 June 1979 in Hamburg) was a German comedian, musician, entertainer, actor, and poet.
Heinz Erhardt was the son of Baltic German Kapellmeister Gustl Erhardt. He lived most of his childhood at his grandparents in Riga, where his grandfather, Paul Nelder, owned a music house. His grandfather also taught him how to play the piano; Erhardt's wish to become a professional pianist was not supported by his grandparents who wanted him to work as a merchant.
In 1935, Erhardt married Gilda Zanetti. They had four children: Grit, Verena, Gero, and Marita. Gero Erhardt became a film director and cinematographer, and his grandson, Marek Erhardt, became an actor.
The spectacle wearer and non-swimmer Erhardt was drafted into the German navy during the Second World War, but only on the third call-up; he served as a pianist in the Marine orchestra and only handled weapons during his basic training.
After the Second World War he moved to Hamburg-Wellingsbüttel and from 1948 worked as a radio moderator at NWDR. From then on he became more and more famous for his countless pun poems. Also, he became an actor and a mime. In his films he always played a character that fit his stage persona as an entertainer and comedian. His roles were polite and slightly weird persons typical of the period of the Wirtschaftswunder or "economic miracle".
Heinz Erhardt suffered a stroke in 1971, which left him unable to speak or write. He was limited to reading and understanding the speech of others; these limitations ended his long career as an actor.
He was awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz four days before his death in 1979.