Biografia
His father worked as a butcher. After finishing high school and completing community service, Jonas launched his first cabaret project with Sigi Zimmerschied in 1975, titled "Die Verhohnepeopler" in his hometown. However, the show was soon shut down due to combined censorship efforts by the Catholic Church and the Bavarian public prosecutor's office. Consequently, Jonas turned to academics, studying philosophy, political science, German, and theater studies at the University of Munich until 1982.
Jonas began his career in 1976 in Munich at the cabaret "Rationaltheater," participating as both actor and author. In 1979, he founded the cabaret group "Gesellschaft mit Limited Liability," where he developed his first solo performances. In 1981, Jonas joined Munich's "Laughing and Shooting Society," co-founded by Dieter Hildebrandt, contributing as an author and actor until 1984.
He then created his own segment in ARD's "Extra-Tour" series. From 1989 to 1992, he appeared independently in the show "Jonas." He also took part in various television series and films. Since 1985, Jonas has regularly appeared in Hildebrandt's "Windshield Wiper." In 1991, his first feature film, "We Grandchildren," premiered, which he directed, wrote, and starred in.
Beyond television, Jonas developed solo cabaret programs such as "Hin und Rück" and "Ich alter Ego" in 1995. In 2000, he became Hildebrandt's permanent partner in the "Windshield Wiper" series. After Hildebrandt's retirement from the show, Jonas appeared alongside Mathias Richling and Georg Schramm in the new episodes of the successful cabaret series, first broadcast on January 8, 2004.
On March 11, 2004, Bruno Jonas debuted as "Brother Barnabas," delivering a self-written Lenten sermon at the Munich Nockherberg festival while tapping strong beer before the assembled CSU state government and other guests, not limited to Bavaria. This marked the first time the role was given to an author outside the conservative spectrum. In fall 2005, Jonas released his new book titled "Hard to Believe and Yet Not True."
For his artistic achievements, Jonas received the "Ludwig Thoma Medal" in 1988 and the "Fred Jay Prize" in 1996. On January 19, 2007, he announced his departure from the role of Brother Barnabas.
Bruno Jonas is a father of two children.
