Person
Rutger Hauer
1 title
- Date of Birth: 1944-01-23 (Passed away at age 75)
- Nationality:
Netherlands
Rutger Oelsen Hauer (Dutch: [ˈrʏtxər ˈulsə(n) ˈɦʌuər]; 23 January 1944 – 19 July 2019) was a Dutch actor, with a career that spanned over 170 roles across nearly 50 years, beginning in 1969. In 1999, he was named by the Dutch public as the Best Dutch Actor of the Century.
Mini Bio
Rutger Oelsen Hauer (Dutch: [ˈrʏtxər ˈulsə(n) ˈɦʌuər]; 23 January 1944 – 19 July 2019) was a Dutch actor, with a career that spanned over 170 roles across nearly 50 years, beginning in 1969. In 1999, he was named by the Dutch public as the Best Dutch Actor of the Century.
Hauer's career began in 1969 with the title role in the Dutch television series Floris and surged with his leading role in Turkish Delight (1973), which in 1999 was named the Best Dutch Film of the Century. After gaining international recognition with Soldier of Orange (1977) and Spetters (1980), he moved into American films such as Nighthawks (1981) and Blade Runner (1982), starring in the latter as self-aware replicant Roy Batty. His performance in Blade Runner led to roles in The Osterman Weekend (1983), Ladyhawke (1985), The Hitcher (1986), Escape from Sobibor (1987), The Legend of the Holy Drinker (1988), and Blind Fury (1989), among other films.
From the 1990s on, Hauer moved into low-budget films, and supporting roles in major films like Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992), Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), Batman Begins (2005), Sin City (2005), and The Rite (2011). Hauer also became well known for his work in commercials. Towards the end of his career, he made a return to Dutch cinema, and won the 2012 Rembrandt Award for Best Actor in recognition of his lead role in The Heineken Kidnapping (2011).
Hauer supported environmentalist causes and was a member of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. He also founded the Rutger Hauer Starfish Association, an AIDS awareness organization. He was made a knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion in 2013.
Backstage
- When making his debut in the United States, he was advised to use a more English-sounding name in order to better appeal to the US public. He refused, assuming that his US career would be short-lived anyway.
- Was offered the lead role in Das Boot (1981). He turned it down in favour of Blade Runner (1982).
- Spoke German fluently (more or less accent-free).
- Director Richard Donner originally wanted to use him as the villain Marquet in Ladyhawke (1985), but Hauer turned that role down and expressed more interest in playing the film's hero Etienne Navarre.
- Loved to ride motorcycles. While on a break from filming The Blood of Heroes (1989), he made a tour and subsequently got lost in the Australian desert. It was by chance that he found the setback on his own.
- Was Paul Verhoeven's first choice to play RoboCop (1987), before Peter Weller was cast.
- He did his own stunt driving on The Hitcher (1986).
