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.