Chris van Niekerk
Chris van Niekerk (born 1951). Actor on stage, radio and television.
Contents
Biography
Born in Pretoria on the 5th October, 1951, and studied at the Drama Department of the University of Pretoria, obtaining a BA Hons in Drama.
In 1977 joined SWAPAC in Windhoek, later spent a year with PACOFS in Bloemfontein, before turning freelance actor on stage and TV.
Over the years he has also run a theatre-restaurant (Eauver The Top in Kalk Bay) and in Rosendal in the Free State. Since 2009 he managed the Saronsberg Theatre in Tulbagh, with Die Ryk Weduwee as its first production. He later settled in Wellington, where he runs an antique shop.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
As a stage actor
He has been in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (PACOFS, 19**), Twaalfde Nag (with PACOFS, 19**), Die Kersietuin, Die Swanesang van Majoor Sommer, Die Vleiroos (Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1992), Die Jogger (Brink, 199*), Magspel (Opperman, 200*), ***, Twaalfde Nag (Oude Libertas/Baxter), 2005), Ek, Anna van Wyk, Forbidden Fruits, The Horny House, Die Huweliksbedrog, Exit the King, See How They Run, Die Skandaal 2, Die Spook van Donkergat, A Doll's House (1995), Strip!, A Tale of Two Cities, Playing with Fire, Die Laaste Strooi, Hiert Jou Bliksem!, Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Die Tweede Dood van Robey Leibbrandt, God van Klank (), Kwaggapolitiek (), Dinsdae by Morrie (2011), My Vrou se Man se Lyk se Tas (2013), Die Stoele (), Hortjies Dig (2025-6).
As film and TV actor
Chris became nationally known as one of the original cast members of the immensely popular Afrikaans TV-soap Sewende Laan (as "Francois") since its inception.
Other TV appearances include:
Afgrond, Arendsvlei (2 seasons), Binnelanders, Die Boekklub (2 seasons), Die Boland Moorde, Die Byl, Die Nuusmakers, Fluiters, Fynskrif (3 seasons), Lui Maar Op, Belinda, Onder die Suiderkruis, Recipes for Love and Murder, Riemvasmaak, Vloeksteen.
Films include Nommer asseblief? (die rolprent, 1981), The Long Run (2001), Vlug na Egipte ("Kortjas Uys"), Sonskyn Beperk (2016)
Awards, etc
He was nominated for a Vita Award (national) 1997 best supporting actor, Die Jogger.
Nominated 2011 Fleur du Cap best actor Dinsdae by Morrie (Cape Times 7 February 2011).
Sources
SACD, 1979/80.
https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=6903.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1133812/.
Programme for Hortjies Dig premiere at the Suidoosterfees in Cape Town. (A copy held in the PARC research collection at the Africa Open Institute in Stellenbosch.)
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