Ben Kruger

Ben Kruger (1957-2021) is a South African stage, TV and film actor, director, singer.

Biography

Trained at the University of Pretoria, where he was their star actor.

He died of COVID-19 complications in May 2021.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Ben became a household name when he played the lead role in the TV youth series Skooldae (“School Days”).

On stage he has performed in "Faust" (playing the lead in an Afrikaans production of Part One of the Goethe play by the University of Pretoria); Die Huigelaar (as Cleante for TRUK, 1986), It's a Boy! (for Pieter Toerien), Siener in die Suburbs (as “Jakes” at the State Theatre, Pretoria, with PACT), Hartebees (Alexander Strachan, KKNK, 2000 - also directed the play).

He directed Heart Like a Stomach and Dogs of the Blue Gods by Ian Fraser at the Windybrow Theatre.

He was the co-writer (with Chris Pretorius) of Kaspar in Kasablankah and author of an unpublished and untitled theatre text, bearing what appears to be the subtitle: 'n Kykie na die dinge wat ons doen - aan mekaar en teenoor mekaar ("a look at the things we do - to each other and againsty one another").

He is also known for roles in feature films such as Stander (2003), Snake Island (2002) and Cry, the Beloved Country (1995).

TV work included "Christo de Wet" in Skooldae (series I, II and III); "Kobus Koen" in The Game (series I, II and III), "Sakkie Bezuidenhoudt" in Zero Tolerance (series I, II and III); and "Neef Gert" in 7de Laan.