Fischer grew up on his father's farm Ornatsöd near Untergriesbach in the Bavarian Forest. Ottfried Fischer attended the Maristengymnasium in Fürstenzell near Passau until he graduated from high school. His father originally wanted him to become a lawyer. However, he dropped out of law school after just a few semesters.

In 1983, cabaret artist Werner Schneyder invited him to appear on his television show Meine Gäste und ich. He made his first solo appearance as a cabaret artist in 1989 with the program Schwer ist leicht was. Five years later, he made guest appearances in several German and Austrian cities with his second solo Was tun.