Emil Steinberger, commonly known as Emil (born 6 January 1933), is a Swisscomedian, writer, director and actor. He is predominantly known as a comedian and actor in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. He has lived in New York City from 1993 to 1999, which inspired him for his book Emil via New York.[1]
Early life and education
He was born in Luzern to Rudolf and Creszentia Steinberger.[2] He had one sister, Hannah 'Hanny' and one brother, Rudolf 'Ruedi'. Already during his schooling years he was known as the class comedian.[3] In 1951, he started a commercial apprenticeship, with Swiss Post. After working as a counter clerk for nine years, he completed the Lucerne School of Design (today known as Fachklasse Grafik Luzern) and became a certified graphic designer. Back then he started acting part-time in a theater society known as Cabaradiesli in Lucerne.
Career
He is well known as Emil in Switzerland and Germany for his acts on television in the 1970s and 1980s.
Hans Fischer: Pitschi. Ins translated to Swiss German by Emil Steinberger. NordSüd, Zürich 2016, ISBN978-3-314-10388-9
Awards
1970: Anerkennungspreis der Stadt Luzern für kulturelle Tätigkeiten
1976: Deutscher Kleinkunstpreis in der Kategorie Kabarett
1981: Prix Walo
1986: Karl-Valentin-Orden
1988: Hans Reinhart-Ring der Schweizer Gesellschaft für Theaterkultur
1993: Morenhovener Lupe
1996: Ehrennadel der Stadt Luzern
1996: Goldene Schallplatten in Deutschland für die Videoalben Emil Steinberger – Volume 1 und Emil Steinberger – Volume 2
2003: Rose d’Or (Ehrenrose)
2003: Oertli-Preis für seinen Sprachgrenzen überschreitenden Humor
2004: Göttinger Elch für sein Lebenswerk
2004: Deutscher Comedypreis (Ehrenpreis für sein Lebenswerk)
2005: Salzburger Stier (Ehrenstier für sein Lebenswerk)
2006: Bayerischer Kabarettpreis (Ehrenpreis)
2007: Schweizer Kabarett-Preis Ehrencornichon
2007: Goldener Akustikus Nürnberg
2008: Ehrenbürger der Stadt Luzern anlässlich seines 75. Geburtstages
2008: Das große Kleinkunstfestival Ehren-Preis
2009: Anerkennungspreis der Stadt Montreux
2009: Münchhausen-Preis, Bodenwerder
2009: Stern der Satire Mainz
2010: Arosa Humorfüller – Jurypreis des Arosa Humor-Festivals für sein Lebenswerk
2011: SwissAward – Lifetime Award 2010 für sein Lebenswerk
2012: Ehrenpreis für Zweisprachigkeit Biel-Bienne
2012: Hall of Fame der German Speakers Association
2013: Radio Pilatus Ehren-Rüüdige Lozärner
2013: Preis für Menschenwürde
2014: Friedestrompreis
2019: Anerkennungspreis des Kantons Luzern
2021: Deutscher Kleinkunstpreis (Ehrenpreis des Landes Rheinland-Pfalz)
2022: Swiss Comedy Award Lifetime Award
Personal life
Steinberger married his first wife, Maya Rudin, in 1966 and divorced in 1989. He has one son from this marriage, Philipp (b. 1967), as well as one illegitimate son Martin (b. 1981), which was conceived while still being married to his first wife.[4][5] Since 28 May 1999, he is married to German-born Nicole 'Niccel' Steinberger (b. 1965), a native of Wermelskirchen, whom he met in New York City.[6][7] They currently reside in Basel.[8][9]