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''.

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 Bloemfontein ( ; ), also known as Bloem, is the capital and the largest city of the Free State (province), Free State province in South Africa. It is often, and has been traditionally, referred to as the country's "judicial capital", alongsi ...

. At the age of two, he moved to Cape Town with his family. Then at the age of four, he moved to

Johannesburg Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu language, Zulu and Xhosa language, Xhosa: eGoli ) (colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, Jo'burg or "The City of Gold") is the most populous city in South Africa. With 5,538,596 people in the City of Johannesburg alon ...

where he completed his schooling at Helpmekaar Boys' High School. After school, Kruger served in the South African Navy for 18 months, as he was conscripted for

national service National service is a system of compulsory or voluntary government service, usually military service. Conscription is mandatory national service. The term ''national service'' comes from the United Kingdom's National Service (Armed Forces) Act ...

, after which he obtained his BA (Drama) at the

University of Pretoria The University of Pretoria (, ) is a multi-campus public university, public research university in Pretoria, the administrative and ''de facto'' capital of South Africa. The university was established in 1908 as the Pretoria campus of the Johan ...

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

Career

Helped by his drama teacher, Kruger began his acting career by performing in the theater, as well as in radio plays and advertisements. Notable stage performances in his career were the plays ''Die Huigelaar'' as Cleante for TRUK in 1986, ''It's a Boy!'', ''Seiner 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. His film debut came in 1973, with the role of Dirkie Uys in the Dave Millen film '' Die Voortrekkers''. 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. Then he played the role 'Neef Gert' in the serial '' 7de Laan'' and then as 'Sakkie Bezuidenhoudt' in the series, ''Zero Tolerance''. In 2011, Kruger began his best-known role, playing 'Okkie Ferreira' in the serial '' Binnelanders''. He remained in that role until his death in 2021.

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''. He did not win the award, however, being beaten by Jody Abrahams. In 2007, he was again nominated for a Golden Horn Award for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Comedy, for ''Gabriël''. He was beaten again, this time by Alan Committie. 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.

Partial filmography

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Kruger, Ben 1957 births 2021 deaths South African male television actors South African male film actors South African Navy personnel White South African people People from Lejweleputswa District Municipality Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa