Bill Flynn
Bill Flynn | |
---|---|
Born |
William Flynn 13 December 1948 Cape Town, South Africa |
Died |
11 July 2007 58) Johannesburg, South Africa | (aged
Occupation | Actor, comedian |
Spouse(s) |
Anne Power (1st) Jana Cilliers (2nd) |
Parent(s) | Mary Flynn |
William "Bill" Flynn (13 December 1948 – 11 July 2007) was a South African actor and comedian, perhaps best known for playing Tjokkie.
Early life
Flynn was born William Flynn in Cape Town and matriculated from Plumstead High School. He went to the UCT drama school and was a founder member of the Space theatre in Cape Town.
Overview
Flynn was perhaps best known for his portrayal of Tjokkie, a character that he portrayed as a wise-cracking, beer drinking rugby union fan. Flynn had won 13 best actor awards, including the Dublin Critics and Golden Entertainer Awards. Among these were:[1]
- Best Supporting Actor for Doubles - Fleur du Cap - Cape Town - 1987
- Best Actor for Saturday Night at the Palace
- Best Actor Award for Hello and Goodbye - Dublin
- Best Actor Award for a Comedy Play It Again Sam
- Best Screenplay Award for Saturday Night at the Palace
- Best Actor Award for role of Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman
His film writing also won him a Best Screenplay award for Saturday Night at the Palace. His karate comedy movie Kill and Kill Again was a top box office hit in America. Bill's movie of Saturday Night at The Palace won several Vita Film Awards, a Best Actor award at the Italian Taormina Film festival as well as a Merit Award at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
He was a longtime friend and collaborator of the actor and playwright Paul Slabolepszy.
Flynn was also involved in the music world. He was a co-founder and band member of The Rock Rebels (1998–2007) and the lead singer for Vinnie and the Viscounts (1987–1997).
At the time of his death, Flynn was married to actress Jana Cilliers, his second wife.
Death
Flynn died in Johannesburg, South Africa on 11 July 2007 of an apparent heart attack. He was 58 years old. His highly successful career included leading roles in over 140 stage plays, musicals, 42 films, dozens of TV shows and thousands of radio and TV commercials.
Filmography
- House of the Living Dead, 1973
- Hello and Goodbye, 1979
- Kill and Kill Again, 1981
- City Lovers, 1982
- Prisoners of the Lost Universe, 1983
- Funny People II, 1983
- Magic Is Alive, My Friend, 1985
- Senor Smith, 1986
- Saturday Night at the Palace, 1987
- Kwagga Strikes Back, 1990
- Die Prince van Pretoria, 1993
- Kalahari Harry, 1994
- Guns of Honor, 1994
- Marie s'en va t-en guerre, 1994
- Treasure at Elephant Ridge, 1995
- Human Timebomb, 1996
- Heel Against the Head, 1999
- The Carruthers Brothers, 2000
- Oh Schuks... I'm Gatvol, 2004
- Jozi Streets, 2004
- Krakatoa - The Last Days, 2006
- Running Riot, 2006
Music
CD as singer
- Toyi Kaka - 1995
- I Don't Like Cricket, I Love It - 1996
- B.O.K.K.E. - 1999
- Gees
- Gooi My A Tenor
- Tenors Racket
- Rainbow Worrior
CD as group
- Get Vrot - Vinnie & The Viscounts
- Rock & Roll Party - Vinnie & The Viscounts
- Get This - The Rock Rebels
- Gooi Mielies - The Rock Rebels
References
- ↑ "Mr William "Bill" FLYNN". 24.com. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
External links
- Bill Flynn at the Internet Movie Database
- IOL: Flynn's death leaves gap in industry
- allAfrica.com: Bill Flynn Obituary
- Independent Online: Flynn brought laughter - DA
- Online: Talent and utter niceness Flynn's trademarks
- Variety Magazine: Bill Flynn, 58, South African actor; Veteran thesp won 13 best actor awards
- SABC News: Arts community shocked at Flynn's untimely death
- The Times: Bill Flynn: A seriously funny man
- Shock as actor Bill Flynn dies
Baxter Theatre Stills
- "Living Together" with Jana Cilliers (1979)
- "Saturday Night at the Palace" with Fats Dibeco and Paul Slabolepszy (1983)
- Paul Slabolepszy's "Pale Natives" (1994)
- As Willy Loman in "Death of a Salesman" (2001)
- "Running Riot" with Paul Slabolepszy (2002)