Kurt Sobotka

Kurt Sobotka (born 9 March 1930 in Vienna – 8 September 2017) was an Austrian actor, cabaret artist, humorist, director and author. Sobotka grew up in Vienna's 15th district with a younger brother. His father only returned from the prisoner of war in 1947. Sobotka attended the Handelsakademie at Amerlingplatz for two years, which he broke off to become an actor. After his education at the Prayner Konservatorium in Vienna, Sobotka made his debut in 1948 at the Stadttheater Steyr, then he played at the Wiener Kellerbühne, at the Theater in der Josefstadt, as well as in Hamburg and Zurich. With Helmut Qualtinger and Gerhard Bronner he played cabaret at the Neue Theater am Kärntnertor in 1959 and from 1974 to 1981 at the Simpl in Vienna. From 1981 to 2014 Sobotka was a member of the Theater in der Josefstadt. Sobotka was very popular due to his numerous TV appearances (400) Every Sunday he was heard in Ö1 at Guglhupf (1978–2009), the last show was broadcast on 28 June 2009.The show was partly recorded in Sobotka's private recording studio in Mödling and edited by the actor himself.When in 1998 Arielle, the mermaid, was synchronized a second time and an Austrian version was also issued, he spoke to King Triton, the ruler of the sea and father of the youngest daughter Arielle.On the occasion of his 80th birthday, he was awarded the Golden Medal of Honor for Merit for the Land of Vienna in 2010.Sobotka lived in Mödling. He died after a long illness at the age of 87 years. His son is the actor, cabaret artist and director Werner Sobotka.