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Anders Matthesen

Anders Matthesen
frontal image of Anders Matthesen wearing a white t-shirt and black jacket, staring directly at camera
Matthesen in 2025
Born (1975-07-06) 6 July 1975 (age 50)
Copenhagen, Denmark
Other namesAnden (the Duck)
Occupations
Years active1993–present
Known for
AwardsGrand Danois 2007 for Best Laugh
Musical career
GenresRap
InstrumentVocals
Formerly ofthe Human Beat Boys
Websiteanden.dk

Anders Matthesen (born 6 July 1975) is a Danish stand-up comedian, actor, and rapper. As a musician and comedian, he performs under the name Anden ("the duck). He has released two rap records as well as several comedy albums. He has written and directed several animated films, including Terkel in Trouble (2004), Checkered Ninja (2018), Checkered Ninja 2 (2021), and the upcoming Checkered Ninja 3. He is the creator of the 2003 TV Christmas calendar Jul på Vesterbro, and he has appeared in several television series as well as in the 2022 film Toscana.

Biography

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Childhood

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Matthesen was born in Østerbro, Copenhagen, Denmark, to parents who are both visual artists. After a few years, the family moved to Frederiksberg, and when Matthesen was six, his parents divorced. When he was in second grade, he and his older brother moved to Albertslund.[1] Matthesen began rapping at the age of 12 under the name DJ And. Together with his brother and best friend, he formed the group the Human Beat Boys.[citation needed]

Early work: 1993–2000

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Matthesen made his stand-up comedy debut at the Danish Championship in Stand-up Comedy in 1993, where he finished in second place, losing only to Mads M. Nielsen.[2] He continued to perform in stand-up shows and also began appearing in television segments.[citation needed] In 1999, he featured in ten episodes of DR2's sketch comedy show Casper & Mandrilaftalen.

In 2000, Matthesen had several songwriting credits on the comedy/music compilation album Hva' snakker du om? – Den ka' byttes Vol. 1, under the name Anden ("the duck").[3]

Terkel in Trouble, Jul på Vesterbro, and further work (2001–2008)

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In 2001, Matthesen released the comedy album Arne fortæller... Terkel i knibe, which was adapted into the adult animated musical comedy film Terkel in Trouble in 2004.[4][5]

In 2003, he created the satirical TV Christmas calendar Jul på Vesterbro.[6][7]

In 2004, Matthesen performed at Østre Gasværk Teater in Copenhagen, in the production Simon, portraying the titular Simon Spies. The daily Berlingske praised his performance, calling him "phenomenal".[8] In 2006, he toured Denmark with his comedy show Anden paa coke?[9] That year, he released his debut rap album, titled Soevnloes.[10]

In 2008, Matthesen worked as a scriptwriter on the TV series Comedy kuren,[11] and the same year, he received the Livsglædens Pris, worth 200,000 DKK, awarded by the Simon Spies Foundation.[12] The same year, he toured with his stand-up show Anders Matthesen...vender tilbage, and a recording made at the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen was released on DVD in 2009.[13]

Directorial debut and second album (2009–2015)

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In 2009, Matthesen made his directorial debut with the comedy film Sorte kugler, which he also wrote and starred in.[14] In 2022, the film was remade by Indian director Indra Kumar in Hindi and titled Thank God.[15]

In 2010, he released his second rap album, titled Villa Peakstate.[16] It received poor reviews from GAFFA magazine[17] but was nominated for Danish Hip Hop Album of the Year at the GAFFA-Prisen awards the same year.[18]

In November 2011, Matthesen announced that his new stand-up show, titled Anders, was in production. It premiered on 5 September 2012 and received the best reviews of any of his shows to date.[19]

In 2013, he played a minor role as a weapons dealer in the film Det grå guld. A Berlingske review stated that Matthesen "delivers the film's best laughs".[20]

In 2015, Matthesen appeared on the track "Tæl Til 10" from Danish rapper Pato Siebenhaar's EP Skarp.[21][22]

Checkered Ninja and The Other Side (2016–2019)

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Anders Matthesen in 2011

In 2016, Matthesen announced his solo show Shhh, which premiered at the Falkoner Center on 2 September.[23] In October, he published the children's novel Ternet Ninja, which was praised by Politiken for resonating with its audience.[24] The book received the Orla Prize for Best Story in 2017.[25]

On 27 April 2017, the documentary The Other Side premiered.[26] Directed by Pernille Rose Grønkjær, it follows Matthesen between his two solo shows Anders and Shhh, from 2013 to 2016.[27] The film received positive reviews overall. B.T.[28] and Soundvenue gave it four out of six stars,[29] while Filmmagasinet Ekko awarded it five out of six.[30] The production also received five out of six stars from DR, whose reviewer noted that the openness of the film was not only "an exciting portrait of Matthesen, but also [...] a fascinating image of a creative process".[27] The critic for Politiken, Kristoffer Hegnsvad, gave the film three out of six hearts and expressed mild disappointment as a fan of the director.[31] He felt the meeting between "one of Denmark's best documentarists and one of Denmark's greatest comedians" did not provide enough depth, noting that the film "[lacks] a thought that rises above the navel or one that seriously probes".[31] However, he praised it for being "the most well-produced Danish documentary I have seen in years", especially for Jacob Thuesen and Kasper Leick's editing and Torsten Høgh Rasmussen's design.[31]

On 12 April 2019, an animated film adaptation of Ternet Ninja, titled Checkered Ninja, was released, which Matthesen wrote, directed, and voiced. It became a hit, selling over 220,000 tickets in the first four days, setting a record.[32] By May, it had sold 940,000 tickets,[33] making it the sixth most-watched Danish film of all time.[34]

Checkered Ninja 2, Toscana, and JOKES – from a White, Straight Man (2021–present)

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In 2021, Checkered Ninja 2 was released. Like its predecessor, it was both critically acclaimed and popular with audiences.[35][36] The film set a new record, with 246,684 tickets sold in its opening weekend, the largest for a Danish film ever.[37] At the 2022 Robert Awards, it won for Best Children's and Family Film, and Matthesen won for Best Adapted Screenplay.[38] He also won Best Actor at the 2022 Bodil Awards.[39]

In 2022, Matthesen starred in the film Toscana, directed by Medi Avaz. It received lukewarm reviews[40] but became the most-watched non-English-language film on Netflix in Denmark during its release week.[41]

In 2022/2023, Matthesen toured Denmark with his solo show JOKES – from a White, Straight Man.[citation needed]

In 2023, it was announced that a third installment of the Checkered Ninja film series was in the works and that it would come out in August 2025.[42][43]

In 2025, Matthesen portrayed Danish musician Tommy Seebach in the film Under stjernerne på himlen.[44]

Personal life

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In 2013, Matthesen married his partner of over three years, Cemille Rosenberg, who is his manager and has two children from a previous relationship.[45] They have a son, born in 2011.[46]

Discography

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Comedy and music albums

  • Børneradio (2000)[citation needed]
  • Hva' snakker du om? – Den ka' byttes Vol. 1 (2000)
  • Hva snakker du om? 'Godnat lille dengse' Sang af Hva' snakker du om? (2000)[citation needed]
  • Hva' snakker du om? – Arne fortæller... Terkel i knibe (2001)
  • Soevnloes (2006)
  • Villa Peakstate (2010)
  • Blodhævn as Stewart Stardust (2018)
  • Børnetelefonen (2018)[citation needed]
  • Anden bringer ud (2019)[citation needed]

Soundtracks

  • Jul på Vesterbro (2003)
  • Terkel i knibe (2004)
  • Sorte kugler (2009)
  • Ternet Ninja (2018)
  • Ternet Ninja 2 (2021)

Filmography

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List of film and television appearances, with year, title, and role shown
Year Title Role Notes
1999 Casper & Mandrilaftalen Doctor Doctor TV series; 10 episodes
2003 Jul på Vesterbro All roles TV series; 24 episodes
2004 Terkel in Trouble All voice roles Writer
2006 Rene hjerter Kriss Henriksen
2008–2009 Comedy kuren TV series
2009 Sorte kugler Alex Klein Director, writer
2010 Olsen Gang Gets Polished Detective Assistant Jensen
2013 Det Grå Guld Kenny
2018 Checkered Ninja All minor voice roles Director, writer
2021 Checkered Ninja 2 All minor voice roles Director, writer
2022 Toscana Theo Dahl
2025 Checkered Ninja 3 All minor voice roles Upcoming; director, writer

Honors and awards

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Matthesen has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career, including:

  • 2001
  • 2002
    • Danish Music Awards: Best Entertainment Release for Hva' snakker du om? – Arne fortæller... Terkel i knibe (2001)[47]
  • 2005
    • Robert Award
      • Best Children's and Youth Film for Terkel i knibe
      • Audience Award
      • Best Original Song for "Paranoia"
  • 2007
    • Reumert Award: Best Musical/Theatre Show for Anden paa coke?[47]
    • Grand Danois[48]
      • Best Idol – Anders Matthesen
      • Best Laughter – Anden paa coke?
  • 2008
  • 2009
  • 2010
  • 2013
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2019
    • Robert Award
      • Best Adapted Screenplay – Anders Matthesen / Ternet Ninja
      • Best Children's and Family Film – Ternet Ninja
      • Best Original Song for "Skubber det sne"
    • Pråsprisen for Ternet Ninja
    • Svendprisen[55]
      • Danish Film of the Year – Ternet Ninja
      • Jury's Special Prize – Anders Matthesen
    • Zulu Awards: Danish Film of the Year for Ternet Ninja
    • Zulu Comedy Galla: Comedian of the Year for his jubilee show Anden 25 and the film Ternet Ninja (first to win three times)[56]
  • 2021
    • Robert Award
      • Best Adapted Screenplay for Ternet Ninja
      • Best Children's and Family Film for Ternet Ninja
  • 2022

References

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  1. ^ "Anders Matthesen". dagens.dk (in Danish). 11 January 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  2. ^ Anders Matthesen's life changed completely in exactly five minutes. TV 2 Zulu. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Hva' Snakker Du Om? – Den Ka' Byttes V:O:L:01:00". discogs.com. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  4. ^ "Terkel i stiv medvind" [Terkel in a stiff tailwind] (in Danish). Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  5. ^ "Terkel attacked by pirates". Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  6. ^ Stem: Best Danish adult Christmas calendar. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20211202114515/https://tvtid.tv2.dk/nytomtv/article.php/id-46051849%25253Astem-bedste-danske-voksenjulekalender.html. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  7. ^ Jul på Vesterbro. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20211202113015/https://julidannevang.dk/jul-paa-vesterbro/. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  8. ^ Ved profetens skæg Archived 22 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Berlingske, 15 February 2004.
  9. ^ ANDEN PAA COKE?, duckpowernews.dk, accessed 29 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Anden – Soevnloes". discogs.com. 13 February 2006. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Comedy-kuren". Archived from the original on 8 October 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2008.
  12. ^ Spies funds did well, Nordjyske (Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20200803091527/https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/spies-kroner-gjorde-godt/1d402675-fb86-4975-ba20-ea1b8779b781). Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  13. ^ Anders Matthesen returns. Live at the Royal Theatre. 1 DVD. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20211202113020/https://plade-klassikeren.dk/da/dvd-film/913707-anders-matthesen-vender-tilbage-live-p%C3%A5-det-kongelige-teater-1-dvd.html. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  14. ^ 'Sorte kugler' — the year's biggest Danish film. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20091101184334/http://ekstrabladet.dk/flash/filmogtv/film/article1212432.ece (1 November 2009). Ekstra Bladet, 27 August 2009.
  15. ^ "'Thank God' review: This comedy needs divine intervention to work". scroll.in. 5 October 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  16. ^ Facebook page: Villa Peakstate
  17. ^ Anders Matthesen Villa Peakstate Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. GAFFA. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  18. ^ Nominees for the GAFFA Award 2010. GAFFA. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  19. ^ 'Critics are blown away by Anden'. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20171123054628/http://politiken.dk/kultur/scene/art5414353/Anmelderne-bliver-bl%C3%A6st-v%C3%A6k-af-Anden (23 November 2017). Politiken, 6 September 2012.
  20. ^ Review: Det Grå Guld. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20191008104847/https://www.berlingske.dk/kultur/anmeldelse-det-graa-guld (8 October 2019). Berlingske. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  21. ^ "Pato Siebenhaar – Skarp". discogs.com. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  22. ^ Pato: Skarp. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20191029103811/https://gaffa.dk/anmeldelse/95423/pato-skarp. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  23. ^ SHHH. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20191029103812/http://duckpowernews.dk/cv/onemanshows/shhh/. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  24. ^ Anders Matthesen hits the mark with new children's book. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20170428053420/http://politiken.dk/kultur/boger/article5648520.ece (28 April 2017). Politiken. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  25. ^ a b Orlaprisen: The winners of this year's awards are announced!. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20171207010452/https://www.dr.dk/ultra/orlaprisen-saa-er-aarets-vindere-fundet (7 December 2017). DR. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  26. ^ The Other Side. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20170428052938/http://www.kino.dk/film/d/de/den-anden-side (28 April 2017). Kino.dk. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  27. ^ a b A review of the new documentary capturing the best of Anders Matthesen's downturn. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20170428050735/http://www.dr.dk/nyheder/kultur/film/anmeldelse-ny-dokumentar-faar-det-bedste-ud-af-anders-matthesens-nedtur (28 April 2017). DR. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  28. ^ The Other Side: a documentary. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20170427042853/http://www.bt.dk/film-og-tv/dokumentarfilm-den-anden-side-af-anden (27 April 2017). B.T.. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  29. ^ 'The Other Side': A must-see for fans of Anders Matthesen. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20170428054615/http://soundvenue.com/film/2017/04/den-anden-side-et-must-for-anders-matthesen-fans-253285 (28 April 2017). Soundvenue. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  30. ^ The Other Side. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20170428052434/http://www.ekkofilm.dk/anmeldelser/den-anden-side/ (28 April 2017). Filmmagasinet Ekko. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  31. ^ a b c <All is well in the Matthesen documentary. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20170426220549/http://politiken.dk/kultur/filmogtv/filmanmeldelser/art5924917/Det-hele-er-godt-nok-i-Matthesen-dokumentar (26 April 2017). Politiken. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  32. ^ Anders Matthesen breaks record: 'Ternet Ninja' gets the best opening ever for a Danish film. B.T.. Retrieved 5 January 2018. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20190105202703/https://www.bt.dk/film-tv-og-streaming/anders-matthesen-slaar-vild-rekord-ternet-ninja-faar-bedste-start (5 January 2019).
  33. ^ Ternet Ninja was viewed 940,000 times in theaters, and you now have the opportunity to see it again. Nordisk Film on Facebook. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  34. ^ "Anders Matthesen receives financial support for Ternet Ninja 2". Ritzau / B.T. 22 March 2019. Archived from the original on 23 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  35. ^ Ternet Ninja 2. Filmmagasinet Ekko. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  36. ^ Review: Anders Matthesen Does It Again! You Must Watch Ternet Ninja 2. B.T.. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  37. ^ "Ternet Ninja 2 breaks audience record and revives cinemas!". Nordisk Film. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2022.[dead link]
  38. ^ "2022". robertprisen.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  39. ^ "Velkommen til Bodilprisen 2022" [Welcome to Bodilprisen 2022]. bodilprisen.dk (in Danish). 17 July 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  40. ^ "Ny film med Anders Matthesen får hug af anmeldere" [New film with Anders Matthesen gets rave reviews from critics]. underholdning.tv2.dk (in Danish). 19 May 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  41. ^ Danish film with "Anden" tops global Netflix list, Kristeligt Dagblad, 26 May 2022.[dead link]
  42. ^ "LevelK strikes with 'Checkered Ninja 3' (exclusive)". screendaily.com. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  43. ^ "Levelk and TrustNordisk bring top Nordic animation projects to the AFM". nordiskfilmogtvfond.com. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  44. ^ Daniel Bentien. "Anders Matthesen to play beloved Danish musician in new major film". Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  45. ^ "Secret wedding: Anders Matthesen is married". 12 June 2013. Archived from the original on 4 September 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  46. ^ Dk, Billedbladet. "Billed-Bladet – Anders Matthesen tattooed with his partner's name". BilledBladet. Archived from the original on 1 January 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  47. ^ a b c Prizes. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20200804052716/http://duckpowernews.dk/andet/priser/. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  48. ^ They won at the Grand Danois. Ekstra Bladet. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  49. ^ Susse Wold wins Teaterflisen 2019. TV 2 Lorry. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  50. ^ Anden receives the medal. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20211101065958/https://www.berlingske.dk/kultur/anden-faar-medalje. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  51. ^ Tribini Prize to Matthesen. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20210418005957/https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/tribini-pris-til-matthesen/. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  52. ^ Aarets Frederiksberg Artist. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20210228121505/https://www.frederiksberg.dk/aaretsfrederiksbergkunstner. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  53. ^ Matthesen named "Comedian of the Year" at Zulu Comedy Galla. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20190903071624/https://omtv2.tv2.dk/nyhedsartikler/nyhedsvisning/matthesen-blev-quotaarets-komikerquot-for-anden-gang-ved-zulu-comedy-galla/ (3 September 2019). TV 2. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  54. ^ All winners of Reality Awards 2018. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20191216151014/https://www.seoghoer.dk/nyheder/her-er-alle-vinderne-af-reality-awards-2018. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  55. ^ Vinderne af Svend-prisen 2019. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20190919165016/https://www.kino.dk/nyheder/2019/08/vinderne-af-svend-prisen-2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  56. ^ Here is 'Comedian of the Year' 2019. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20200811215049/https://underholdning.tv2.dk/comedy/2019-08-29-her-er-årets-komiker-2019 (29 August 2019). TV 2. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
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