Sammy Drechsel, born Karl Heinz Kamke on April 25, 1925, in Berlin, started his career as a journalist. At the age of 25, he became a sports reporter for Bayerischer Rundfunk. In 1955, Drechsel published a highly successful book for teens called "Elf Freunde müsst ihr sein". At the same time, Drechsel worked as an actor, director and cabaret artist. In 1956, he founded "Lach- und Schießgesellschaft" in Munich together with his friend Dieter Hildebrandt. Drechsel then became the manager of the group and directed most of their shows.

From the mid-1950s on, Drechsel made several highly praised sport documentaries, for example on the "Tour de France", as well as satires like "Warten auf Niveau" and "Der Widerspenstigen Lähmung", often starring Dieter Hildebrandt as the leading actor. His only feature film was "Zwei Girls vom roten Stern" (An Affair of States) with Curd Jürgens in the leading part. As an actor, Drechsel played his last role – as himself – in Helmut Dietl"s satirical TV series "Kir Royal" in 1986. But before its first airing, Sammy Drechsel, who till his death worked as a sports reporter for Bayerischer Rundfunk, died on January 18, 1986, in Munich.