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); and Oh Shucks I’m Gatvol (2004).