Ruben van der Meer

Ruben van der Meer (born 2 June 1970) is a Dutch actor and comedian. He is known as one of the comedians in the television show De Lama's together with Tijl Beckand, Ruben Nicolai and Jeroen van Koningsbrugge. He played roles in several films, including Amsterdam Vice and Yamas! (2024).

Career

Music

Van der Meer became known as one of the members of the Dutch comedy gabber band Hakkûhbar.

Film

Van der Meer plays a role in the 2015 film J. Kessels directed by Erik de Bruyn. The film was the opening film of the 2015 Netherlands Film Festival. In 2019, he played a role in Amsterdam Vice (Baantjer: Het Begin) by Arne Toonen. He played a lead role in the 2024 comedy film Yamas! directed by Andy van Veen en Rik Sinkeldam.

In 2026, Van der Meer produced the crime comedy film Bad Slippers. He directed the film together with Michael Winter. Van der Meer also plays a lead role in the film.

Television

Between 2004 and 2008 he formed part of the core team of comedians in the television show De Lama's, together with Ruben Nicolai, Tijl Beckand and Jeroen van Koningsbrugge.

In 2009, Van der Meer presented the show Budget TV together with Ruben Nicolai and Tijl Beckand. The show ended after ten episodes due to disappointing viewing figures. They also performed shows in theatre with the same name.

Between 2010 and 2015 he took part in the television game show Echt Waar?! together with Tijl Beckand. The host of the show was Jack Spijkerman. It is the Dutch version of the British show Through the Keyhole.

Since 2023, he appears in the comedy television show LOL: Last One Laughing which airs on Prime Video. The show is the Dutch version of the Japanese television show Documental. In 2023, he appeared in the television game show Alles is Muziek in which two teams competed by recreating songs using everyday objects.

Van der Meer performed as drag queen Sydney Lekker in the 2024 season of the drag queen show Make up your Mind. He traveled to Zambia together with Daphne Bunskoek and presenter Humberto Tan for an episode of the 2025 photography television show Gelukkig Hebben We De Foto's Nog.

Theatre

Since 2022, Van der Meer, Tijl Beckand, Ruben Nicolai and Jeroen van Koningsbrugge perform theatre shows under the name TAFKAL (The Artists Formerly Known As Lama's).

Selected filmography

As actor

Jesus Is a Palestinian (1999) The Delivery (1999) Schnitzel Paradise (2005) Love is All (2007) J. Kessels (2015) De Zevende Hemel (2016) Amsterdam Vice (2019, Baantjer: Het Begin) Yamas! (2024)

As contestant / himself

Het Perfecte Plaatje (2018) Superstar Chef (2018) Alles is Muziek (2023) LOL: Last One Laughing (2023 – present, Prime Video) Make up your Mind (2024) Gelukkig Hebben We De Foto's Nog (2025)