Ben Kruger (1957-2021) South African Actor

Ben Kruger (1957-2021) South African Actor
Ben Kruger
BIRTH 25 Mar 1957
South Africa
DEATH 26 May 2021 (aged 64)
South Africa
BURIAL Cremated, Ashes given to family or friend
South African Actor

He will be best remembered for his role as ‘Okkie Ferreira’ in the Afrikaans weekly television soap opera, “Binnelanders” from 2012 to 2021, and for his role as ‘Sakkie Bezuidenhout’ in the television crime series, “Zero Tolerance” in 2004.

He is also remembered for his role as the teacher ‘Christo de Wet’ in the television series, “Skooldae 1” in 1981, and “Skooldae 2” in 1984. He was born in Bothaville, South Africa, as Benjamin Kruger to a pastor of the local AGS congregation and to a mother who was from Bloemfontein, South Africa. The family moved to Cape Town, South Africa, when he was two years old, and then to Johannesburg, South Africa, when he was four years old. He was educated locally and then attended the Helpmekaar Boy’s High School in Johannesburg, South Africa.

He then joined and served eighteen months in the South African Navy and was conscripted for national service. He then resumed his education and attended the prestigious University of Pretoria in Pretoria, South Africa, where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree (or BA) in drama. Following his education and navy training, he pursued an acting career. He began by appearing in various radio plays, advertisements, and stage plays, with the help of his drama teacher who found him work. He made his actual film debut playing the role of ‘Dirkie Uys’ in “Die Voortrekkers” (1973).

The film was directed by David Millin, and also starred Patrick Mynhardt, Pieter Hauptfleish, and June Neethling. Besides, “Die Voortrekkers” (1973), his many other film credits include, “n’ Sonadag In September” (1976), “Dr. Marius Hugo” (1978), “The Fifth Season” (1978), “Pretoria O Pretoria!” (1979), “40 Days” (1979), “The Earthmover” (1983), “Wolhaarstories” (1983), “Geel Trui Vir ‘n Wenner” (1983), “City Wolf” (1988), “Diamond In The Rough” (1988), “Wild Zone” (1989), “Sweet Murder” (1990), “The Fourth Reich” (1990), “No Hero” (1992), “Tough Luck” (1992), “Orkney Snork Nie! 2 (nog ‘n movie)” (1993), “Cry, The Beloved Country” (1995), “Mandela And de Klerk” (1997), “The Gates Of Cleveland Road” (2000), “Snake Island” (2002), “Stander” (2003), “A Case Of Murder” (2004),

“Poena Is Koning” (2007), “Karate Kallie” (2009), “Die Prins en die Panelbeater” (2012), “Khumba” (2013, as the voice of ‘Captain’ in animated feature about a zebra who embarks on a daring quest), and “Molly & Wors” (2013). Besides, “Skooldae 1” (1981), “Skooldae 2” (1984), “Zero Tolerance” (2004), and “Binnelanders” (2012-2021), his many other television credits include, “99 Caroline Street,”

“Brood Vir My Broer,” “Mattewis en Meraai,” “The Game,” “MMG Engineers,” “Triptiek II,” “The Principal,” “Gabriël,” “Riemvasmaak,” “Silent Witness,” “Die Uwe Pottie Potgieter,” “Moeggeploeg,”and “Oppi Kassie,” a television documentary series in 2018.

Besides film and television, he also acted in the theatre where he performed in the plays “Die Huigelaar” as ‘Cleante’ for TRUK in 1986, “It’s A Boy!” and “Suburbs” as ‘Jakes’ at the State Theatre in Pretoria, South Africa. He also performed in the play “Hartebees” which was directed by Alexander Strachan.

He later directed the play “Heart Like A Stomach” which was produced by Ian Fraser at the Windybrow Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa, and was the co-writer of the play “Kaspar In Kasablankah” along with Chris Pretorius.

He was awarded the Golden Horn Award for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Comedy for “Gabriël” in 2007, and the Golden Horn Award for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Soap Opera for his role as ‘Okkie Ferreira’ in the television soap opera, “Binnelanders” in 2020. His last film role was as ‘Oupa Carel Duvenhage’ in “I Am All Girls” (2021).

The film which was directed by Donovan March and also stars Marcell Greef, and Wayne Fitzjohn, tells the story of a special crimes investigator who forms an unlikely bond with a serial killer to bring down a global child sex trafficking syndicate. The film was released on May 14, 2021, just a couple of weeks before his death. He passed away at his home in Brooklyn, Pretoria, South Africa, on May 26, 2021, at the age of 64, due to complications of COVID-19, during the pandemic in South Africa. He was survived by his wife Cheryl Kruger, a renowned jewelry maker, and his three children Ivan Kruger, Daniel Kruger, and Niku Krueger, a professional rugby player.

Ben Kruger (1957-2021) South African Actor

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