Overview
- The Kuratorium Gutes Sehen announced the title Monday through the dpa wire, awarding its 2026 distinction to the comedian and actor.
- The group said the award honors people who help break down prejudice against eyewear and praised Kerkeling's relaxed, open approach to his eyesight.
- Kerkeling, 61, said age‑related farsightedness began around forty and called his glasses his most loyal companion.
- He said he uses frames as a creative tool for his characters, calling the glasses the scepter of personas like Horst Schlämmer.
- His new film Horst Schlämmer sucht das Glück, which opened March 26, is in German cinemas and has drawn about 190,000 viewers, according to GALA.