Anders Matthesen

Anders Matthesen, born on 6 July 1975 in Østerbro, Copenhagen, Denmark, is a multifaceted Danish entertainer whose career spans stand‑up comedy, rap, acting, and filmmaking. Raised by two visual‑artist parents, he experienced early upheaval when his family moved to Frederiksberg and his parents divorced, later relocating to Albertslund where his passion for performance blossomed. At the age of twelve he adopted the moniker DJ And and co‑founded the hip‑hop group Human Beat Boys, marking the start of a lifelong love for music and lyricism. Matthesen’s breakthrough came in 1993 when he earned second place at the Danish Stand‑up Championship, launching a prolific presence on television, notably the sketch show Casper & Mandrilaftalen in 1999, and establishing his comedic persona Anden (“the duck”).

From the early 2000s onward, Matthesen cemented his status as a cultural icon through a series of groundbreaking projects: the comedy album Arne fortæller… Terkel i knibe evolved into the cult animated film Terkel in Trouble (2004), while his satirical TV Christmas calendar Jul på Vesterbro (2003) became a holiday staple. He has directed and voiced hit animated features such as Checkered Ninja (2018) and its sequel, both record‑breaking box‑office successes, and earned multiple Robert and Bodil Awards for screenplay and acting. His stand‑up shows—Anden på coke?, Anders, and the recent JOKES – from a White, Straight Man—have drawn critical acclaim and massive audiences. Beyond performance, Matthesen’s contributions include rap albums Søvnløse and Villa Peakstate, numerous songwriting credits, and a celebrated children’s novel Ternet Ninja, which won the Orla Prize. With a career active from 1993‑present, he remains a dynamic force in Danish entertainment, known for his daring humor, linguistic creativity, and ability to connect across generations.