Pierre Knoesen

Pierre Knoesen (19*-) is a South African actor for stage, radio, TV and film, and a restauranteur.

Biography

Studied at the University of Cape Town from 1969 and in 1972 he received a BA Drama degree.

He continued to work on stage at the Market Theatre, for Pieter Toerien, the Arts Councils and Industrial theatre.

In 1995 he retired from the stage work to concentrate on film and TV and co-found Pomegranate Restaurant in Melville Johannesburg, with Chef Janet Telian. In 1999 he and director and SABC producer Johan Bernard retired to France to found and run a successful guest house, Ma Cachette, in Arlanc.

His contribution to South African Theatre, Film, Media and Performance

Besides his work as performer, he was also involved in giving TV acting courses for actors.

Stage work

He was signed up as actor under contract consecutively by all four of the Performing Arts Councils, and did much of his stage work for them, beginning his career with CAPAB in 1972 (appearing in Bart Nel, Ousus and Kats in die Pekel in that year, On the Razzle in 1983), then worked for other councils, including PACOFS (appearing in Our Town/Ons Dorp in 1976, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in 1978, Vettie Vettie and Snoopy!!! in 1985), PACT (Animal Farm in 1982, The Front Page and Hotel Paradiso in 1984, Bloed in 1985, The Time of the Hyena in 1986 and Hamlet in 1987.

He also work for a number of independent companies, including the Market Theatre, for Pieter Toerien, and industrial theatre companies. His work with independent companies included Amadeus for Pieter Toerien in 1981, Scorched Earth for the Syrkel Theatre Company in 1983 and A Doll's House at the Market Theatre in 1990.

Radio, TV and Film work

His film work includes Kiepie en Kandas (1981), You must be Joking , Vyfster: Die Slot (1986), You Must Be Joking Too! (1987), Paradise Road (1988), The Fourth Reich (1990), Dark City (1990), Taxi to Soweto (1991), Yankee Zulu (1993) Laser Mission (1989), Nag van die 19de (1991), and There's a Zulu on my stoop.

Television roles as leading actor in a number of series, including Manakwalanners, Paradys, Gazette, Vyfster (Series 1 and 2, 1984), Die Jare Daarna, Town Guard, Huisjakker, Sagmoedige Neelsie (1984), Samaritaan (1998),

TV work includes roles in

Awards

Awards include 1976 : Piers Nicholson Award best contribution as actor for PACOFS; 1994: Artes Award, Best Supporting Male Actor for Manakwalanners; 1998: Pendoring Award for Best Actor National Radio.