After completing his *Abitur*, Gerhardt performed his compulsory military service as an anti-tank gunner in the 5th Company of the 123rd Anti-Tank Battalion. Subsequently, he studied German Studies and Philosophy, writing his thesis on *The Philosophy of Language of Nicholas of Cusa*. As a freelance contributor to the Cologne-based tabloid *Express*, he also wrote reports on the city's cultural scene. After embarking on a career as an entertainer, he ceased his work for *Express* in the 1990s. He rose to fame in 1988 with his program *Dackel mit Sekt*, having been discovered by Jürgen von der Lippe. He achieved great success with the films *Voll normaaal* and *Ballermann 6*. The most recent installment in the series followed in 2011 with *Die Superbullen*. Another successful project was the comedy series *Hausmeister Krause – Ordnung muss sein*. On January 5, 2011, he was named an honorary citizen of Cologne-Kalk. Gerhardt speaks Spanish and lived in Seville for one year.