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Michael Kessler

Michael Kessler

Actor · Born June 24, 1967 (59) · Wiesbaden, Germany

Michael Kessler is a German actor, comedian, and author, recognized for his versatile performances across theater, film, and television. He studied acting at the Westphalian Drama School in Bochum from 1988 to 1992, after which he performed at notable venues such as Schauspielhaus Bochum, Schauspiel Frankfurt, Nationaltheater Mannheim, and Schauspielhaus Zürich. Kessler gained widespread attention as a cast member of the satirical television show "Switch" from 1999 to 2000 and its successor "Switch Reloaded" from 2007 to 2012, where he was known for his impersonations of public figures. His film credits include roles in "Manta, Manta" (1991), "Schtonk!" (1992), and "Look Who's Back" (2015). In addition to acting, Kessler has ventured into hosting, notably with "Kesslers Expedition," a travel documentary series. He has also contributed as a voice actor, providing the German voice for Rattlesnake Jake in the animated film "Rango" (2011).

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
June 24, 1967 (59)
From
Wiesbaden, Germany
Works as
Actor
Titles
13 on MovieCove · 75 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28

What are Michael Kessler's films like?

Across their 9 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 37th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
36%
Self
33%
Society
25%
Power
4%
Morality
4%
Community4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 9 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 8 · Serious 1 · Dark 0

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 2 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 5 · Intense 0

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 1

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 6

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 0 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 7 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 8 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles

Usually the Trickster: 2 of 3 analyzed roles.

Trickster
2 of 3
Ally
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
5
Thrilling
3
Absurd
4
Tense
3
Romantic
3
Other
6

How their films linger

Feel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Michael Kessler's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 2 of their 13 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (2).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael Kessler's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

75 credits, 13 with a MovieCove page; 77 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Dornröschen und der Fluch der siebten Fee(2024)

    as Hecki

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Perfect Match(2024)

    as Peter Graf

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Das Märchen von der Zauberflöte (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Monostatos

  • Kohlrabenschwarz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 6 episodes · Idea · as Stefan Schwab

  • Die Hirschhausen-Show – Was kann der Mensch? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Guest

  • Manta, Manta: Legacy(2023)

    as Klausi

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Das 1% Quiz – Wie clever ist Deutschland? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Binge Reloaded (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 16 episodes · Actor

  • Die Läusemutter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 20 episodes · as Stefan

  • Sideboob(2018)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Ein Fall für die Erdmännchen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 90 episodes · as Der Kommisar

  • Vampire Sisters 3: Journey to Transylvania(2016)

    as Dirk van Kombast

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Meine heile Welt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 5 episodes · as various roles

  • Mullewapp - A Pig's Tail (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Franz von Hahn (voice)

  • Look Who's Back(2015)

    as Michael Witzigmann

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Schmidts Katze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Uwe

  • Von einem, der auszog, das Fürchten zu lernen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Moorleiche

  • Vampire Sisters 2: Bats in the Belly(2014)

    as Dirk van Kombast

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Kessler ist... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 24 episodes · Actor

  • Habe die Ehre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Fünf Freunde 3(2014)

    as Nick

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Home from Home: Chronicle of a Vision(2013)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Circus Halligalli (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Vampire Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Dirk van Kombast

  • Götter wie wir (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Creative Director

  • Blonder als die Polizei erlaubt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Polizeichef

  • Männer ticken, Frauen anders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Robert Sellner

  • Kein Sex ist auch keine Lösung (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Urs Cremand

  • Biss zur großen Pause - Das Highschool Vampir Grusical (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Florian Silbereisen

  • Bollywood lässt Alpen glühen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Pfarrer Simon

  • Obersalzberg - der Film (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Adolf Hitler

  • Der letzte Bulle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Horst Lubky

  • Spook Inn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Karl Bückler

  • Kesslers Knigge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 10 episodes · as Kessler

  • Freche Mädchen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Gym Teacher

  • Deadline – Jede Sekunde zählt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Axel Gromeier

  • The Vexxer(2007)

    as Bobby

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Switch Reloaded (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 95 episodes · as Various

  • Lutter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Ocko

  • Hui Buh - Das Schlossgespenst(2006)

    as Dünner Geisterjäger

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Die ProSieben Märchenstunde (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Arzt · as Jörg · as Stalljunge Richard

  • Ladyland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Didi

  • Das Leben der Philosophen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Schwerter

  • Urmel aus dem Eis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Sami

  • Pastewka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 8 episodes · Director · as Michael Kessler

  • Der Staatsanwalt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Rechtsanwalt Trittner

  • Axel! wills wissen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 18 episodes · as Mr. Marsch

  • Sex & more (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Polizist Thomas

  • Schillerstraße (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 44 episodes · as Michael Kessler

  • The Rockville Slayer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Steve Henderson

  • SOKO Köln (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Johannes Bauer · as Robby Klein

  • Bewegte Männer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Einbrecher

  • Genial daneben (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 19 episodes · Actor

  • Der kleine Mönch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Neues aus Büttenwarder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Markus Schnuck

  • Alles Atze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Adolf Hitler

  • Hotel Mama - Mama auf der Flucht (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Felix

  • SK Kölsch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Franz Behrens

  • Callboy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Jan Willos

  • Fake - Die Fälschung (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Sebastian Edel

  • Hotel Mama - Die Rückkehr der Kinder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Felix

  • Switch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 29 episodes · as Various

  • Sophie – Schlauer als die Polizei erlaubt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Pater Amatus

  • St. Angela (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Bernd Schaefer

  • The Last Courier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Sattler

  • Hotel Mama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Felix Behrens

  • Wilsberg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Traffic Officer

  • Schwarz greift ein (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Markus Schäfer

  • North Curve (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Karl-Heinz

  • Little Sharks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Empfang

  • Schtonk! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as SS Man

  • Manta Manta(1991)

    as Klausi

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Großstadtrevier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Achim Naumann

  • SOKO München (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Janosch Jankowski

  • Tatort(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Strachwitz

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 75 titles from 1970 to 2024; peak year 2015.

Biggest box office

Look Who's Back (2015)

$26M worldwide

Highest rated

Look Who's Back (2015)

Midcredits 81st

Film career

19702024

Peak 2015 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1991Screen debut· Manta, Manta
  • 2015Career best· Look Who's Back

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting74 of 75: 72 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score39thDirecting1 of 75: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting2 of 75: 1 only writing, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s2 · acting1980s1 · acting1990s16 · acting2000s23 · 23 acting · 1 crew2010s25 · 24 acting · 1 crew2020s8 · 8 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 12 roles
9111

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Michael Kessler's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 38th percentile, the median of all 12; across their 9 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 49th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Approval · how many liked their films

26thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Reach · how many have seen their films

80thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Midcredits score across 13 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up2
  • 50th to 74th2
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

7 of their 13 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Divisive2
  • Crowd Pleaser2
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · actor

Manta, Manta: Legacy (2023)

94th percentile spread · 41% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Home from Home: Chronicle of a Vision (2013)

Midcredits 96th · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 58/100 in their films, across 6 reviewed titles; fans 70, detractors 36. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Michael Kessler work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michael Kessler's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Martin Moszkowicz shares the most, 5.

Writers

Actors

Composers

Producers