Gerhard Behrendt

Behrendt started his career in 1943 as a painter apprentice at the Preußisches Staatstheater Berlin in the area of scenic painting.

He continued his studies after the end of World War II (1945) at the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin.

There, he became director for satirical animated movies, and in 1958 founded the Puppenstudio, a studio for puppets.

Over time he added new characters to these shows: Professor Köpfchen, Paul und Stine, the Urvieh, and the Messemännchen (Mascot and symbol for the Leipzig Trade Fair).

He is one of the few persons who were honored with the Bundesversdienstkreuz and the East German Nationalpreis der DDR award.