Jan Bruyns

(19**-) Afrikaans actor for stage, radio and film. ** Also known as Jan Bruijns and Jan Bruijn.

Originally began in Cape Town, later moved to Johannesburg. ** *

Stage work
He joined K.A.T. in Cape Town and played a role in the one-act Plaas Toe by Andries de Klerk in September 1944. His first big role was in 1944 in Paastyd by Strindberg. In the same year he plays Mat Burke in O’Neill’s drama Anna Christie for Spotlight. In 1945 for K.A.T. in Liefdesvuur by Herman Sudermann, then in The Boy David by Sir James Barrie for the Cape Town Repertory Theatre Society. In 1946 he plays prof Henk Johannsen in Die Dae van Jou Lewe by W.A. de Klerk.

Moves to Johannesburg, plays for JAATS in Die Gebreekte Kruik. His one-act play Die Simbool is performed at the FATSSA festival in 1948, which he directs and has a role. Then he plays in an Afrikaans version of The Barretts of Wimpole Steet for JAATS, as well as in Gif en Oujongnooiens as Mortimer Brewster. Volksteater invited him in that role in their production of G en O. Andromache (Racine), directed by Aletta Gericke follows in 1949, and early in 1950 Die Vader by Strindberg. He played Banquo in the NTO production of Macbeth and the general in Die Jaar van die Vuuros, also for NTO.

Film work
Roles in Zulu Dawn (1979), Doodkry is Min (1961) and Die Rebel (1976). Babel a Sodome (TV Movie)

1984 Die Groen Faktor Cabinet Minister

1982 Bosveld Hotel .... Die Moewie Joop van Rensburg

1981 Burning Rubber Manney

1980 Rienie Dr. Henk Weyers (uncredited)

1979 Pour tout l'or du Transvaal (TV Mini-Series) Abraham

1979 Plekkie in die son Oom Jan

1979 Zulu Dawn Elder Boer

1978 Someone Like You Naas du Toit

1977 Kootjie Emmer Armaans

1976 'n Beeld vir Jeannie Tom Schlebusch

1976 Die Rebel Col. Dreyer

1976 Ridder van die Grootpad Dr. Willemse (as Jan Bruijns)

1975 Jakkalsdraai se Mense Dr. Charles Weltman

1975 Ter wille van Christine Dominee Willie Hofmeyer

1975 Forever Young, Forever Free Oom Koos

1975 Liefste Veertjie Rector

1974 Die Square Andries Brink (as Jan Bruijns)

1974 Kwikstertjie John van Blerk

1974 Geluksdal Koos Conradie (as Jan Bruijns)

1974 Babbelkous Jan Rademan

1973 Môre, Môre John van Blerk

1973 Die Wit Sluier Prof. Klaus Schillinger.

1970 Farewell Johnny Linda's father

1969 Lost in the Desert Colonel (as Jan Bruijns)

1969 Vrolike Vrydag 13de de Wet

1964 Seven Against the Sun O.C. (as Jan Bruijns)

1963 Rider in the Night Commandant Verster

1963 Huis op Horings Japie Bruwer

1962 Voor sononder Piet le Roux

1962 As Ons Twee Eers Getroud Is! Dominee Dreyer

1961 The Hellions Jan Pretorius

1961 Doodkry is Min (as Jan Bruijns)

1959 Satanskoraal du Plooy

1958 Fratse in die Vloot Petty officer

1957 Donker Afrika Frikkie van der Merwe (as Jan Bruijns)

1957 Dis Lekker om te Lewe Sergeant Major

1956 Paul Krüger Andries Pretorius / M.W. Pretorius

1954 'n Plan is 'n Boerdery Karel Verwoerd

1949 Kom saam vanaand! Mr. Bekker (as Jan Bruijns)

Awards, etc.
He was recognised as one of the pioneers of Afrikaans theatre by the drama department of the Pretoria Technikon during a ceremony at the Breytenbach Theatre in Pretoria on 30 August 1994.

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