Ben Kruger

Ben Kruger (25 March 1957 – 26 May 2021) was a South African actor and author, best known for his roles in the popular serials Snake Island, Binnelanders and Zero Tolerance.

Personal life He was born on 25 March 1957 in Bothaville, South Africa. His father was a pastor in the local AGS congregation. His mother was from Bloemfontein. At the age of two, he moved to Cape Town with his family. Then at the age of four, he moved to Johannesburg where he completed his schooling at Helpmekaar Boys' High School.

Career Helped by his drama teacher, Kruger began his acting career by performing in the theater, as well as in radio plays and advertisements.

In 2011, Kruger began his best-known role, playing 'Okkie Ferreira' in the serial Binnelanders. He remained in that role until his death in 2021. He did not win the award, however, being beaten by Jody Abrahams. In 2007, he was again nominated for a Golden Horn Award for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Comedy, for Gabriël. He was beaten again, this time by Alan Committie. His role as 'Okkie Ferreira' in Binnelanders eventually brought him a third Golden Horn nomination, in 2020, this time in the TV Soap category. He did not win, however, the award instead going to Mncedisi Shabangu.

Partial filmography Year Film Role Genre Ref. 1973 Die Voortrekkers Film 1990 The Fourth Reich Oosthuizen Documentary 1997 Mandela and de Klerk James Gregory Film 2010 Silent Witness (Home, Parts 1 & 2) DI Pieter Lamprecht TV series 2013 Moeggeploeg Vlok Vorster TV series 2013 Khumba Captain Film 2013 Molly & Wors F1 CEO Film 2014–2021 Binnelanders Okkie Ferreira TV series