Monika Gruber

Monika Gruber (born 29 June 1971 in Wartenberg) is a German cabaret artist and actress. She was raised with her two younger brothers on their parental farm in Tittenkofen, Upper Bavaria. After completing her A-levels, she worked for several years as a foreign language secretary, and at the age of 27 completed a two-and-a-half-year program at the Ruth von Zerboni drama school. Her first theatre engagement was from 2000 to 2005 as an ensemble member of the Iberl-Buhne in Munich-Solln.

In 2002, Gruber gained her first experience as a cabaret artist in the comedy series Kanal fatal, in which she portrayed Kellnerin Monique, a typical Bavarian waitress. From 2003 to 2009 she was a member of the Bavarian Television sketch series Die Komiker, and she frequently performed in Gunter Grunwald's Freitagscomedy. In 2012, the broadcaster ZDF gave Gruber her own TV series, Leute, Leute!, a boulevard satire, though she chose not to extend her contract in order to focus on live performance. From 2011 to 2013 she was a core member of Die Klugscheisser alongside Bruno Jonas and Rick Kavanian. She also acted in TV productions including Der Kaiser von Schexing and Hubert & Staller.

Gruber toured the south of Germany and Austria with her solo programs, including Kellnerin Monique, schmeckt's ned? (2004), Hauptsach' g'sund (2005), Zu wahr, um schon zu sein (2008), Wenn ned jetzt, wann dann! (2011) and Irgendwas is' immer (2014). She has been involved in Christian Springer's aid association Orienthelfer e.V. and supports Lebanese refugees. On 10 June 2023 she spoke at a demonstration against the German government's climate policy, mobilizing 13,000 opponents. Her awards include the Ernst Hoferichter award, the Bavarian Stand-up Comedian Award and the Bavarian Order of Merit.