Hugo Egon Balder celebrates his 70th birthday on March 22nd. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, he reveals how the TV presenter and actor will spend his special day in the corona crisis and how he is currently spending his time. Balder also explains why, as moderator of "The Sat.1 Comedy Conference – Celebrities in Quarantine" (from Thursday, March 26, 2020 in Sat.1), he takes up the serious topic in a humorous way.
You turn 70. What does the number mean to you?
Hugo Egon Balder: Nothing. If I wasn't currently being asked all the time, it would bypass me. I usually avoid big birthday parties too.
Your birthday is going through a difficult time. How have your birthday plans changed?
Balder: Normally I would have played theater on Sunday, would have finished at 5:30 p.m. and would then have had a meal with my wife and children and drove back to Cologne. Now the family gathering takes place at home.
How have you spent the past few days in the Corona crisis?
Balder: I stayed in Hamburg until the theater was canceled and the last performance was on. My daughter visited me and then we are back to Cologne. Here we stay in the house and only go outside for shopping. We do what is asked of us.
As a public person, do you feel that you have to appeal to people?
Balder: Yes, I will still do it – in a humorous way, even if the topic is of course serious. But you should be able to laugh at the moment. You have to make it clear to people that this is a serious situation and that we all have to do what we are supposed to do so as not to make things worse. But that has nothing to do with the fact that you can laugh sometimes and treat the matter satirically. We have seen it in history: The biggest jokes were made when people were bad. To fall into tribulation is of no use to anyone.
Looking back at last year, what were the highlights for you?
Balder: I worked so much last year, every day was a highlight for me. I had a lot of records and played a lot of theater. It would have continued like this, so it is good for me to have a little rest now.
How do you pass the time?
Balder: I have a rowing machine at home that I will put into operation again. I didn't know I had something like this and only now discovered it (laughs).
There was one important event in your last year of life: you married for the fifth time in August. How do you get married life?
Balder: Very well. We got married last year, but we've been together for four years. It is as if it had always been this way and is now a completely normal state that gives me peace of mind. If you have stress in your professional life, it shouldn't matter in your private life.
How was the wedding day for you?
It was wonderful. We got married in Chiemgau and kept everything secret, in fact nobody noticed. I played for a long time at the Chiemgau Volkstheater and I still enjoy being there today, always on the same farm. Our hosts attended the wedding and the mayor married us. Then we went to the alp and sat there, that was wonderful.
What do you want for the new year?
Balder: First of all, that we get through this time well and that humanity also learns something from all of history. I personally have experienced so much in my life, so I will take a relaxed approach to the next time. It will all end well.
In the Sat.1 show "Senil next to it – Happy Birthday Hugo!" Hugo Egon Balder has already celebrated his day of honor a little. Numerous companions like Hella von Sinnen (61) and Wigald Boning (53) let him live on the show. The program will be broadcast on Friday, April 3 at 8:15 p.m. on Sat.1.