John Kraaijkamp sr.
19th of April, 1925 - 17th of July, 2011
Jan Henrik (John) Kraaijkamp was born in Amsterdam. Kraaijkamp started his career as a singer, and worked in the 1950's as a bass-entertainer, when he was noticed by Rijk de Gooyer. It was the start of a long collaboration; they recorded many song together, and where on the television together in the Johnny- en Rijk Show. They were even seen in Germany for about two years
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Kraaijkamp also had his own career. He played in musicals among other things Fagin in the musical Oliver Twist. John mostly played comical roles on television, and in the theatre. Eventually he did start the play more serious roles in the theatre, but he suprised the Dutch audience with his serious role in film De Aanslag as Cor Takes, that got an oscar in 1986 for best International Film.
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Another leadrole he played in the tv-series Het Zonnetje in huis (1993 -2003). In this series he played with his own son John Kraaijkamp jr. Kraaijkamp played for a long time in the theatre. In 2007 he had his last guest role in a tv-series, in that same year he gave his last television interview as well.
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Kraaijkamp was married a total of three times. With his first wife Rim Sartori he got his son Johnny Jr. and daughter Ellis Signe, both of them are also actors. With his second wife Tilly Jolanda van Duijkeren he got son Michiel. His last wife Mai Lun Hendrika Lee gave him a daughter named Alexandra (Sanne).
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Kraaijkamp died in Laren, he was 86-years old.
