Michael Ostrowski

Michael Ostrowski is an Austrian actor, writer, director and presenter who co-hosted the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.

Biography

Michael Ostrowski brought a long Austrian film and live-presenting career to an international audience as a co-host of Eurovision 2026.

Before Eurovision, he was known for German-language comedies including Nacktschnecken and for writing or directing several of his own projects.

He co-hosted the Vienna competition with Victoria Swarovski.^[1]^[3]

The 2004 comedy was his film breakthrough and one of his screenwriting credits.^[2]

He starred in, wrote and directed the 2022 film based on his novel.^[2]^[5]

Small Stage Training
Improvisation began on small stages
Ostrowski has connected his early Graz performances with his ability to read an audience during a large live broadcast.^[4]
Film Breakthrough
Nacktschnecken established his screen career
The 2004 comedy became his breakthrough and helped define his association with Austrian comic film.^[2]^[1]
Behind Camera Work
He also writes and directs
His credits include screenwriting on Nacktschnecken and Contact High and directing work on Hotel Rock'n'Roll and Der Onkel.^[2]^[5]
Eurovision Host
Eurovision introduced him to a wider audience
He and Victoria Swarovski presented the two semifinals and grand final from Vienna in May 2026.^[1]^[3]
Earlier Presenting
Live hosting predated Eurovision
Ostrowski had already presented Austrian theatre, music and broadcast-anniversary events before taking the international role.^[2]

ORF reported that Ostrowski studied both languages in Graz before his international presenting assignment.^[4]

He had presented the Nestroy Theatre Prize, Amadeus Austrian Music Awards and a radio-centenary programme.^[2]

He described finding small spaces for personality between required announcements, voting explanations and production cues.^[4]