Harald Madsen was a part of the Danish comedian couple Fyrtårnet og Bivognen (Fy og Bi), known as "Long & Short" in England and "Ole & Axel" in the U.S, alongside his partner Carl Schenstrøm (Fy).
He appeared in 51 films between 1917 and 1948.
He joined the Zircus Miehe at age 14, and remained with it for 11 years; he formed a trio of clowns called "Die drei Miehes" and toured Scandinavia and Germany with the group.
Madsen and Schenstrøm were brought in 1921 together as comics by the director Lau Lauritzen, and made over 40 films until 1940. After Schenstrøm's death in 1942, Madsen made one final film, Hjältar mot sin vilja .