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In 1977 Emil Steinberger was on the road with the National-Circus Knie for the whole season and showed, among other things, his famous ice cream salesman act. Almost a million people came to the performances (picture taken in March 1977 in Rapperswil).
dear Emile
You toured with us in 1977 – the first non-circus comedian. The skepticism was great at first. “What’s the point of a cabaret artist in a circus?” people asked. But our family head Fredy sen. firmly believed that you would make an impact and was undeterred. And you really were a hit from the first moment.
We weren’t quite so sure about French-speaking Switzerland, because you weren’t known there at the time. “Is that your new elephant?” we were asked because the posters said “Kniemil”, a play on words that is difficult to translate. You were accordingly nervous before the French premiere. But after your first appearance in Neuchâtel, you hit the ground running there too. Almost a million people came to see the 280 performances across Switzerland, a terrific record. At that time 3800 still fit into the tent, and people slid together on the benches without seat numbers so that everyone could see you. That would no longer be possible today.
You traveled with us in the caravan and absolutely didn’t want to go to the hotel, which is one of the reasons why you were immediately accepted by everyone.
You performed your ice cream salesman act in front of Géraldine, who made her ring debut in 1977 at the age of four, with our traditional big-small act, Fredy with the horse, Géraldine with the pony. And you always gave her the still intact ice cream from your performance when we were done with the number.
Of course we wanted to bring you back several times later. But you didn’t want that, and we understood you. For you it was a unique experience that can never be repeated in this surprising way. Since then you have been part of our family and always in our hearts. You are the national comedian, we are the national circus.
The comedian turns 90: It’s Emil Steinberger’s birthday(01:39)
Critical observer full of ideas and will to live
Not only do you come to the premiere every year, but regularly throughout the season if you have time. You were with us twice again in Lucerne, where we are still staying tonight. What we appreciate most about you: You don’t just shower us with praise, but take a critical look. You are not a hypocrite, but tell us openly what you think of our ideas. What we always admire about you during your visits is how intensely you sparkle with the will to live and ideas. This is probably the most beautiful trait about you, and it keeps you young.
We wish you and your dear wife Niccel the most important thing in the new year, namely good health, and we hope that you can achieve everything you have planned.
Geraldine and Fredy Knie Jr.
Emil: His life
Born in Lucerne, Emil Steinberger was already a clown at school. After nine years of working at the post office, he resigned in 1960. During his civil service career, he had enough time to observe the Swiss and their peculiarities. He later used these studies for his productions.
From 1965 Steinberger realized his dream of a small theater in Lucerne. When the Zytglogge Verlag in Bern asked him in 1971 whether a record from his program “Stories that life wrote” could work, he was skeptical because of the lack of visuals. But within a few weeks, 130,000 copies were sold – his first big coup.
In 1977 he toured with the National Circus Knie. A year later, 940,000 people saw him in the hit movie “Die Schweizermacher” by Rolf Lyssy (86).
In addition to continued success in Germany and a detour to the Circus Roncalli, Steinberger also shone as an advertising figure for Melitta, Bico Mattresses and Rivella.
In 1969 his first son Philipp was born, in 1980 his second son Martin. Today Steinberger is a grandfather of three.
In 1993, when he was 60, he took a one-year sabbatical in the USA and then stayed longer. At the same time, he met his second wife, Niccel (57), and they married in 1999 at City Hall in New York. Today the couple lives in Basel.
During the lockdown, Steinberger worked on his autobiography and on a new program with which he was on stage until the end of 2022: “Emil schnädered”. Performances are also planned for 2023.
Born in Lucerne, Emil Steinberger was already a clown at school. After nine years of working at the post office, he resigned in 1960. During his civil service career, he had enough time to observe the Swiss and their peculiarities. He later used these studies for his productions.
From 1965 Steinberger realized his dream of a small theater in Lucerne. When the Zytglogge Verlag in Bern asked him in 1971 whether a record from his program “Stories that life wrote” could work, he was skeptical because of the lack of visuals. But within a few weeks, 130,000 copies were sold – his first big coup.
In 1977 he toured with the National Circus Knie. A year later, 940,000 people saw him in the hit movie “Die Schweizermacher” by Rolf Lyssy (86).
In addition to continued success in Germany and a detour to the Circus Roncalli, Steinberger also shone as an advertising figure for Melitta, Bico Mattresses and Rivella.
In 1969 his first son Philipp was born, in 1980 his second son Martin. Today Steinberger is a grandfather of three.
In 1993, when he was 60, he took a one-year sabbatical in the USA and then stayed longer. At the same time, he met his second wife, Niccel (57), and they married in 1999 at City Hall in New York. Today the couple lives in Basel.
During the lockdown, Steinberger worked on his autobiography and on a new program with which he was on stage until the end of 2022: “Emil schnädered”. Performances are also planned for 2023.