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. 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.
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.
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 Year Film Role Genre Ref. 1973 Die Voortrekkers Film 1983 Geel Trui vir 'n Wenner Teacher Film 1990 The Fourth Reich Oosthuizen Documentary 1990 Sweet Murder Film 1992 No Hero Film 1995 Cry, the Beloved Country Police officer 1 Film 1997 Mandela and de Klerk James Gregory Film 2000 The Gates of Cleveland Road Film 2003 Stander Bank guard Film 2005 A Case of Murder Bushy Film 2007 Poena Is Koning Headmaster Film 2008 Riemvasmaak TV series 2009 Karate Kallie Meneer Lessing Film 2010 Silent Witness (Home, Parts 1 & 2) DI Pieter Lamprecht TV series 2010 Die Uwe Pottie Potgieter Tiny van Rooyen TV series 2013 Moeggeploeg Vlok Vorster TV series 2013 Khumba Captain Film 2013 Molly & Wors F1 CEO Film 2014–2021 Binnelanders Okkie Ferreira TV series 2021 I Am All Girls Oupa Carel Duvenhage Film
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