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Rutger HauerActor
Date of Birth: 23.01.1944
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Military Service and Acting School
- Breakthrough with "Floris" and Paul Verhoeven
- Hollywood Success and International Recognition
- Challenging Conventions and Later Career
- Filmography
Early Life and Education
Rutger Oelsen Hauer, a renowned Dutch actor, was born on January 23, 1944, in the small town of Breukelen, Netherlands, to actor parents. Raised by a nanny in Amsterdam, Hauer began acting at the tender age of five. His official stage debut came on June 8, 1955, in Sophocles' "Ajax."
As a rebellious child, Hauer ran away from home at fifteen to join his grandfather's merchant ship, embarking on a year-long journey that exposed him to the world's cultures. During this time, he developed a talent for learning languages, becoming proficient in English, German, and French in addition to his native Dutch and Frisian.
Military Service and Acting School
Upon returning home, Hauer attended evening school while working odd jobs. Despite his interest in automobiles and motorcycles, he pursued acting, enrolling at the Schauspielhaus in Basel, Switzerland, in 1962. Two years later, he served in the Dutch military, initially in the paratroopers but later claiming mental instability to avoid prolonged service.
After a brief stint in a mental hospital, Hauer returned to his acting studies and joined the Actor's Studio in Amsterdam. He then landed a position at the Royal Theater. It was in Basel that Hauer married and had a daughter, Aysha.
Breakthrough with "Floris" and Paul Verhoeven
In 1967, Hauer joined the Noorder Compagnie theater, where he directed two plays in 1973. His film debut came in 1968 with a minor role in "Monsieur Hawarden." However, his breakthrough came the following year with the television series "Floris," which marked the beginning of his long-standing collaboration with Dutch director Paul Verhoeven.
Verhoeven recognized Hauer's duality and cast him in a series of acclaimed films, including "Turkish Delight" (1973), "Katie Tippel" (1975), "Soldier of Orange" (1977), "Spetters" (1980), and "Flesh & Blood" (1985). These films showcased Hauer's ability to portray both angelic and demonic characters, exploring the complexities of human nature.
Hollywood Success and International Recognition
Hauer's first Hollywood appearance came in 1981's "Nighthawks" opposite Sylvester Stallone. Recognizing the potential of the American market, he sought out an accent coach to remove his European inflection. After a series of successful films, Hauer became a household name in the United States, with his name often topping billing.
His iconic role came in Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" (1982), which became a science fiction classic. The film's first cut was added to the National Film Archives supported by the Library of Congress. Hauer also starred in the acclaimed horror film "The Hitcher" (1986).
Challenging Conventions and Later Career
In the late 1980s, Hauer became known for portraying ruthless villains in American films such as "Wanted: Dead or Alive" (1987), "The Blood of Heroes" (1989), and "Deadlock" (1991). He attempted to break away from this typecast in the 1989 Italian drama "In una notte chiaro di luna," but it proved unsuccessful.
In the 1990s, Hauer sought out roles with smaller independent studios, distancing himself from the image Hollywood had imposed upon him. He also remained popular in his native Netherlands, as evidenced by the 1994 celebration of his 50th birthday and the issuance of a commemorative stamp featuring his image from "Turkish Delight."
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hauer continued to work steadily, appearing in "The Call of the Wild" (1996), "Merlin" (1998), and "The 10th Kingdom" (1999). He also made a short film, "The Room" (2000), which won the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the Paris Film Festival.
Hauer passed away peacefully on July 19, 2019, leaving behind a legacy of iconic performances that continue to inspire audiences worldwide.
Filmography
Turks fruit (1973)Keetje Tippel (1975)
Soldaat van Oranje (1977)
Spetters (1980)
Nighthawks (1981)
Blade Runner (1982)
A Breed Apart (1984)
Flesh & Blood (1985)
Ladyhawke (1985)
The Hitcher (1986)
Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987)
Escape from Sobibor (1987)
La Leggenda del santo bevitore (1988)
Blind Fury (1989)
In una notte chiaro di luna (1989)
Arctic Blue (1993)
Voyage (1993)
Fatherland (1994)
Redline (1997)
Knockin' On Heaven's Door (1997)
Omega Doom (1997)
Salem's Lot (2004)
Sin City (2005)
