Al Debbo

(1924-2011) Afrikaans comedian, singer and film actor. Born in Bloemfontein, of Lebanese extraction. His parents owned a grocery store and he originally trained as a plumber, though he early on showed a talent for mimicry and comedy.

Singer and entertainer

During WWII he became an entertainer, doing a magician and ventriloquist act under the auspices of the Red Cross, then moved on to become a singer-entertainer. He became a household name with comic songs such as Sonbrilletjies, Hasie, Tantes van Nantes, Brakke van Turffontein and Bolandse nooientjie.

Film comedian

His film career began with Die kaskenades van dokter Kwak ( Pierre de Wet, 1948). In later films (between 1947 and 1959) he was often partnered with actor-comedian Frederick Burgers, with whom he also did numerous stage shows - the pair were often billed as "the South African Laurel and Hardy".

Debbo eventually appeared in 20 films, among which:

Die kaskenades van Dokter Kwak (1948) Kom saam, vanaand ("Come along tonight", 1949) Hier’s ons weer ("Here we are again", 1950) Alles sal regkom ("Everthing will turn out right", 1951) Altyd in my drome ("Always in my dreams", 1952) Die avonture van Kammie Kamfer (1954) Dis lekker om te lewe ("It is wonderful to live", 1957) Donker Afrika ("Dark Africa", 1957) Fratse in die vloot ("Pranks in the navy", 1958) Hou die Blink Kant Bo ("Keep the shiny side up", 1960) Boerboel de Wet (1960) Gevaarlike Spel ("Dangerous game", 1962) Tom, Dirk en Herrie (1962) Die geheim van Onderplaas (The secret of Onderplaas", 1962) Die wonderwêreld van Kammie Kamfer (The wonderful world of Kammie Kamfer", 1964) Stadig oor die klippe ("Take it slowly", 1969) Pens en pootjies ("Stomach and feet", 1974) Kniediep ("Knee deep", 1975) Haak Vrystaat ("Hook Free State", 1976) Oh Shucks I’m Gatvol (2004)