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Loriot

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Bernhard-Viktor Christoph-Carl von Bülow (1923–2011) was a multifaceted German artist.

Loriot by Philipp von Ostau
Loriot by Philipp von Ostau

He worked as a comedian, humorist, cartoonist, film director, actor, and writer. Most people knew him by his pen name, Loriot. This name is the French term for the oriole, a bird.

Buelow-Wappen
Buelow-Wappen

The oriole was the crest in the coat of arms of the Bülow family. His work was so influential that he was ranked the most famous German comedian ever in a special comedy episode of *Unsere Besten*. He remains a central figure in German cultural history.

Loriot’s artistic method relied on a specific type of humor. He focused on the contrast between absurd situations and dignified behavior. His cartoon characters often had large, bulbous noses. These characters maintained a sense of high social dignity. However, they often found themselves in ridiculous circumstances. This contrast between the character's seriousness and the chaos around them created his signature comedic effect. He often drew these scenes from everyday life, middle-class society, and family settings.

One famous example of his technique is the "room destruction" sketch. In this scene, a distinguished official attempts to fix a crooked painting. His attempt to correct the small error starts a massive chain reaction. He accidentally touches another painting, which causes a table to tilt. This leads to a couch moving and shelves breaking. The entire salon is eventually devastated by his clumsy efforts. Despite the growing catastrophe, the character never loses his temper. He maintains his dignity and simply remarks that the painting is crooked.

Loriot sofa replik bronze
Loriot sofa replik bronze

Loriot's career involved many different stages and media. After World War II, he studied graphic design and painting in Hamburg. In 1950, he began publishing cartoons under his pseudonym. In 1971, he created a cartoon dog named Wum. Loriot wrote, drew, and provided the voices for these characters himself. Wum became the mascot for the humanitarian organization Aktion Sorgenkind. In 1972, a song by Wum stayed at the top of the German pop charts for nine weeks. This character was later joined by an elephant named Wendelin and an alien named Blauer Klaus.

In 1976, he produced the first episode of his television comedy series, *Loriot*. The series featured sketches where he was often the protagonist. Famous sketches included "Der Lottogewinner" and "Jodeldiplom." He also directed feature films like *Ödipussi* in 1988 and *Pappa Ante Portas* in 1991. Beyond comedy, he had a deep love for classical music and opera. He conducted a gala concert for the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 1982. He also directed operas such as *Martha* and *Der Freischütz*.

His early life was marked by significant historical events. He was born into the German aristocracy in Brandenburg an der Havel. During World War II, he served as a military officer in the 3rd Panzer Division. He was decorated with the Iron Cross, 1st and 2nd class. Later in life, he expressed deep shame regarding Germany's role in world history. Following the war, he completed his Abitur in 1946. He married Romi Schlumbom in 1951, and they had two daughters.

Loriot's impact on the German language is profound. Many phrases from his sketches entered common everyday speech. Examples include "the yodeling diploma" and the remark, "Please... don't talk right now." These linguistic inventions show how deeply his humor integrated into society. He received many prestigious awards, including the Bavarian Film Award and an honorary doctorate.

Vicco von buelow loriot 08 2005
Vicco von buelow loriot 08 2005

He was also an honorary professor at the Berlin University of the Arts.

Today, his legacy is preserved through various honors and tributes. He has a star on the Boulevard der Stars in Berlin.

Boulevard-der-stars-IMG 1465x
Boulevard-der-stars-IMG 1465x

At his grave in Berlin, visitors often leave rubber ducks. This is a tribute to one of his most famous sketches. His life and work continue to be studied and celebrated in Germany.

Traueranzeige Loriot Lieber Gott viel Spass
Traueranzeige Loriot Lieber Gott viel Spass
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🖼️ Images & Media (7)
File:Loriot by Philipp von Ostau.jpg
Loriot by Philipp von Ostau.jpg
File:Buelow-Wappen.png
Buelow-Wappen.png
File:Loriot sofa replik bronze.jpg
Loriot sofa replik bronze.jpg
File:Grabstätte Trakehner Allee 1 (Westend) Bernhard-Viktor Christoph Carl von Bülow2.jpg
Grabstätte Trakehner Allee 1 (Westend)...
File:Vicco von buelow loriot 08 2005.JPG
Vicco von buelow loriot 08 2005.JPG
File:Traueranzeige Loriot Lieber Gott viel Spass.jpg
Traueranzeige Loriot Lieber Gott viel Spass.jpg
File:Boulevard-der-stars-IMG 1465x.JPG
Boulevard-der-stars-IMG 1465x.JPG
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