Ben Kruger

Ben Kruger (25 March 1957 – 26 May 2021) was a South African actor and author, best known for his roles in the popular serials Snake Island, Binnelanders and Zero Tolerance.[1]

Ben Kruger
Born(1957-03-25)25 March 1957
Bothaville, Orange Free State, Union of South Africa
Died26 May 2021(2021-05-26) (aged 64)
Pretoria, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
EducationHelpmekaar Boys' High School
Alma materUniversity of Pretoria
OccupationActor
Years active1986–2021
ChildrenNiku Kruger , Ivan Kruger , Daniel Kruger
Websitewww.benkruger.co.za (Archived)

Personal life

He was born on 25 March 1957 in Bothaville, South Africa. His father was a pastor in the local AGS congregation. His mother was from Bloemfontein. At the age of two, he moved to Cape Town with his family. Then at the age of four, he moved to Johannesburg where he completed his schooling at Helpmekaar Boys' High School.[1]

After school, Kruger served in the South African Navy for 18 months, as he was conscripted for national service, after which he obtained his BA (Drama) at the University of Pretoria.[1]

On 26 May 2021, Kruger died at his home in Brooklyn, Pretoria at the age of 64, as a result of COVID-19 complications.[2][3][4]

Career

Helped by his drama teacher, Kruger began his acting career by performing in the theater, as well as in radio plays and advertisements.[2] Notable stage performances in his career were the plays Die Huigelaar as Cleante for TRUK in 1986, It's a Boy!, Siener in die Suburbs as 'Jakes' at the State Theatre, Pretoria. In 2000, he performed in the play Hartebees directed by Alexander Strachan. He later directed the play Heart Like a Stomach produced by Ian Fraser at the Windybrow Theatre.[1]

His film debut came in 1973, with the role of Dirkie Uys in the Dave Millen film Die Voortrekkers.[2][5]

He is the co-writer of the play Kaspar in Kasablankah along with Chris Pretorius. In 1995, he starred in the film Cry, the Beloved Country. Later he also starred in the feature films: Snake Island in 2002 and Stander in 2003.[1] Then he played the role 'Neef Gert' in the serial 7de Laan and then as 'Sakkie Bezuidenhoudt' in the series, Zero Tolerance.[6]

In 2011, Kruger began his best-known role, playing 'Okkie Ferreira' in the serial Binnelanders.[2][7] He remained in that role until his death in 2021.[2]

Award nominations

In 2006, Kruger was nominated for the Golden Horn Award for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Drama Series for the role 'Sakkie' in Zero Tolerance.[8] He did not win the award, however, being beaten by Jody Abrahams.[9] In 2007, he was again nominated for a Golden Horn Award for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Comedy, for Gabriël.[10] He was beaten again, this time by Alan Committie.[11] His role as 'Okkie Ferreira' in Binnelanders eventually brought him a third Golden Horn nomination, in 2020, this time in the TV Soap category. He did not win, however, the award instead going to Mncedisi Shabangu.[12]

Partial filmography
YearFilmRoleGenreRef.
1973Die Voortrekkers Film[5]
1983Geel Trui vir 'n WennerTeacherFilm[13]
1990The Fourth ReichOosthuizenDocumentary[5]
1990Sweet Murder Film[13]
1992No Hero Film[13]
1995Cry, the Beloved CountryPolice officer 1Film[5]
1997Mandela and de KlerkJames GregoryFilm[5][13]
2000The Gates of Cleveland Road Film[13]
2003StanderBank guardFilm[5]
2005A Case of MurderBushyFilm[13]
2007Poena Is KoningHeadmasterFilm[4]
2008RiemvasmaakTV series[5][13]
2009Karate KallieMeneer LessingFilm[14]
2010Silent WitnessDI Pieter LamprechtTV series[2]
2010Die Uwe Pottie PotgieterTiny van RooyenTV series[15]
2013MoeggeploegVlok VorsterTV series[16]
2013KhumbaCaptainFilm[17]
2013Molly & WorsF1 CEOFilm[18]
2014–2021BinnelandersOkkie FerreiraTV series[16]
2021I Am All GirlsOupa Carel DuvenhageFilm[19]

References
  1. "Ben Kruger bio". tvsa. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  2. Ferreira, Thinus (26 May 2021). "Binnelanders actor Ben Kruger, 64, dies". News24. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  3. Africa, AlgoaFM South. "Website". www.algoafm.co.za. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  4. Loubser, Doreen (26 May 2021). "Beloved Afrikaans actor succumbs to Covid-19". algoafm.co.za. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  5. "Ben Kruger oorlede". Roekeloos (in Afrikaans). 26 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  6. "Ben Kruger career". ESAT. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  7. Rian van Heerden (1 August 2019). "South African Icon: Ben Kruger from 'Binnelanders' shares some fond memories". Jacaranda FM. Retrieved 27 May 2021. "I'm now eight-years part of Binnelanders," Kruger said
  8. "SAFTAS nominees announced – Screen Africa". Screen Africa. 29 September 2006. Retrieved 27 May 2021. Jody Abrahams
  9. "Isidingo Scoops Inaugural SAFTA Awards | News | TVSA". tvsa.co.za. 30 October 2006. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  10. "SAFTA Awards 2007: The Nominees | News | TVSA". tvsa.co.za. 18 September 2007. Retrieved 27 May 2021. Alan Committie
  11. "Alan Committie". HDS Entertainment. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  12. "SA Film and Television Awards 2020: All the winners". Music in Africa. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  13. "Ben Kruger". BFI. Archived from the original on 8 October 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  14. "Karate Kallie movie releases locally". Screen Africa. 7 September 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  15. "Die Uwe Pottie Potgieter | Season 1". tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  16. Ferreira, Thinus (26 May 2021). "Binnelanders actor Ben Kruger, 64, dies". News24. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  17. Pople, Laetitia (30 October 2013). "Veterane gekonfyt in stemwerk". Netwerk24. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  18. Beer, Diane de (27 September 2013). "MOVIE REVIEW: Molly & Wors – Die Movie". iol.co.za. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  19. PureWow (17 May 2021). "The New #3 Movie on Netflix Follows a Relentless Detective Seeking Justice". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
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