Al Debbo
Encyclopedia
Al Debbo (June 22, 1924 – July 13, 2011) was a South Africa
n comedian
, singer and actor
. As one of the most famous artists of his generation he made an enormous contribution to Afrikaans
music and culture.
, South Africa. As a child he had to help out in his parents’ general merchandise store. His parents taught him Lebanese
and English, but he learned Afrikaans
at an early age since Bloemfontein is predominantly Afrikaans speaking.
In school concerts he already displayed a knack for comedy, but he did not see that as a viable career, so after he matriculated he qualified as a plumber. As a hobby he appeared as a singer and comedian at functions and weddings, but in 1947 everything changed after his friends dared him to participate in a countrywide talent competition, the South African Industries Fair, which he won. As a result he landed his first 3-minute film role in Die Kaskenades van Dokter Kwak. Those three minutes was however enough to generate national recognition.
After his success in films like Alles sal regkom (1951), Dis lekker om te lewe (1957) and Fratse in die vloot (1958) he made his debut as producer in the 1961 film Boerboel de Wet. In 1969 he was also the producer for the film Stadig oor die klippe while playing the lead role of Boetie Flenters (a bungeling private eye who – à la Pink Panther
– somehow still manages to get the bad guys). However, Al always thought that Donker Afrika (1957) was his best film.
Altogether he appeared in over twenty films, in a movie career that spanned more than 60 years. His last film role was in the 2004 movie, Oh Schuks... I'm Gatvol
, which was directed by Leon Schuster
.
and Anton de Waal. After this, the man with the rolling eyes, funny hat and oversized glasses completed 11 music albums. In 1996 he issued his second last album (or his last with new material) called Ek lewe nog (I’m still Alive). Four years later, in 2000, his greatest hits album appeared, called Pieringoog Potpourri – Al Debbo sê dankie (Saucer Eye Potpourri – Al Debbo says Thank You).
Some of Debbo’s greatest hits were:
Debbo was admitted to the Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic in June 2011 for treatment of a lung infection and a heart condition. He died three weeks later at the hospital in Bloemfontein
on July 13, 2011, at the age of 87.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
, singer and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. As one of the most famous artists of his generation he made an enormous contribution to Afrikaans
Afrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...
music and culture.
Early life
Alec Debbo, the son of Lebanese parents, was born in BloemfonteinBloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
, South Africa. As a child he had to help out in his parents’ general merchandise store. His parents taught him Lebanese
Lebanese Arabic
Lebanese or Lebanese Arabic is a variety of Levantine Arabic, indigenous to and spoken primarily in Lebanon, with significant linguistic influences borrowed from other Middle Eastern and European languages, and is in some ways unique from other varieties of Arabic...
and English, but he learned Afrikaans
Afrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...
at an early age since Bloemfontein is predominantly Afrikaans speaking.
In school concerts he already displayed a knack for comedy, but he did not see that as a viable career, so after he matriculated he qualified as a plumber. As a hobby he appeared as a singer and comedian at functions and weddings, but in 1947 everything changed after his friends dared him to participate in a countrywide talent competition, the South African Industries Fair, which he won. As a result he landed his first 3-minute film role in Die Kaskenades van Dokter Kwak. Those three minutes was however enough to generate national recognition.
Film
Debbo made his film debut in Die Kaskenades van Dokter Kwak in 1949.After his success in films like Alles sal regkom (1951), Dis lekker om te lewe (1957) and Fratse in die vloot (1958) he made his debut as producer in the 1961 film Boerboel de Wet. In 1969 he was also the producer for the film Stadig oor die klippe while playing the lead role of Boetie Flenters (a bungeling private eye who – à la Pink Panther
Inspector Clouseau
Chief Inspector Jacques Clouseau is a fictional character in Blake Edwards' The Pink Panther series. In most of the films, he was played by Peter Sellers, with one film in which he was played by Alan Arkin and one in which he was played by an uncredited Roger Moore...
– somehow still manages to get the bad guys). However, Al always thought that Donker Afrika (1957) was his best film.
Altogether he appeared in over twenty films, in a movie career that spanned more than 60 years. His last film role was in the 2004 movie, Oh Schuks... I'm Gatvol
Oh Schuks... I'm Gatvol
Oh Shucks I'm Gatvol!, is a South African comedy film written, produced and directed by Leon Schuster. He also stars in the film alongside Alfred Ntombela, Gerry the Clown, Bill Flynn and Al Debbo....
, which was directed by Leon Schuster
Leon Schuster
Leon Ernest "Schuks" Schuster is a South African filmmaker, comedian, actor, presenter and singer.- Early life :Schuster was drawn to the filmmaking process at an early age...
.
Music
In 1968 Al had a runaway success with his rendition of Hasie, a song composed by Nico CarstensNico Carstens
Nicolaas Cornelius Carstens is a South African accordionist and songwriter.Born in Cape Town of Dutch parents, Carstens got his first accordion at the age of 13 and won an adult music competition six months later...
and Anton de Waal. After this, the man with the rolling eyes, funny hat and oversized glasses completed 11 music albums. In 1996 he issued his second last album (or his last with new material) called Ek lewe nog (I’m still Alive). Four years later, in 2000, his greatest hits album appeared, called Pieringoog Potpourri – Al Debbo sê dankie (Saucer Eye Potpourri – Al Debbo says Thank You).
Some of Debbo’s greatest hits were:
- Baas Jack (Boss Jack)
- Bloubergstrand
- Boerekos (Afrikaner Food)
- Bokkie (Lit.: Little Antelope, meaning Darling)
- Bolandse Nooientjie (Girl from the Boland)
- Brakkie in die Venster (Doggy in the Window)
- Byt Vissie Byt (Bite Little Fish Bite)
- Daar Kom die Alibama (There Comes the Alabama)
- Die Brakke van Turffontein (The Mongrels of Turffontein)
- Die Spook (The Ghost)
- Die Tantes van Nantes (The Aunties of Nantes)
- Ding Dong
- Ek Kan My Lag nie Hou nie (I Can't Stop Laughing)
- Ek Ry met die Trein (I Ride the Train)
- Hasie (Little Rabbit)
- Hoë Polvy (High Shoe)
- Hy-ba-ba-rie-bab
- Kappit Yt (Hit It!)
- Kiewiet (bird name = Crowned Lapwing)
- Koos van der Merwe
- My Dolla is ‘n Loskop (My Doll is an Air Head)
- Riksjabooi (Rickshaw Boy)
- Sikkedoema
- Sonbrilletjies (Sunglasses)
- Sousboontjies (Sugar Beans)
- Stellenbosch die Roep My (Stellenbosch Calls Me)
- Stoppie
- Tamatiesous en Kerriekos (Ketchup and Curry)
- Teddiebeer (Teddy Bear)
- Vlooi (Flea)
Death
In 2011, Al Debbo was awarded the Comics Choice Awards' lifetime achievement honor for his contributions to South Africa's entertainment industry.Debbo was admitted to the Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic in June 2011 for treatment of a lung infection and a heart condition. He died three weeks later at the hospital in Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
on July 13, 2011, at the age of 87.
Filmography
- 1948 – Die Kaskenades van Dr Kwak (The Shenanigans of Doctor Quack)
- 1949 – Kom Saam Vanaand (Come Along Tonight)
- 1950 – Hier's Ons Weer (Here We Are Again)
- 1951 – Alles Sal Regkom (Everything Will Be Alright)
- 1952 – Altyd in my Drome (Always in my Dreams)
- 1957 – Dis Lekker om te Lewe (It's Good to be Alive)
- 1957 – Donker Afrika (Dark Africa)
- 1958 – Fratse in die Vloot (Stunts in the Navy)
- 1960 – Hou die Blinkkant Bo (Keep the Bright Side Up)
- 1961 – Boerboel de Wet (Private Eye Boerboel de Wet)
- 1962 – Gevaarlike Spel (Dangerous Game)
- 1962 – Tom, Dirk en Herrie (Tom, Dick and Harry)
- 1962 – Die Geheim van Onderplaas (The Secret of Onderplaas)
- 1964 – Die Wonderwêreld van Kammie Kamfer (The Magic World of Kammie Kamfer)
- 1969 – Stadig oor die Klippe (Lit.: Slow over the Rocks, meaning: proceed with care))
- 1970 – Satan's Harvest
- 1974 – Pens en Pootjies (Lit.: Tripe and Trotters, meaning: Boots and All)
- 1975 – Kniediep (Original Title: Kniediep en Boontjies, meaning: Knee Deep in Trouble)
- 1976 – Haak Vrystaat (Rugby chant meaning: Hook/Get the ball, Free State)
- 2004 – Oh Shucks I’m Gatvol (Oh Shucks I'm Fed Up)
Albums
- 1949 Kom Saam Vanaand (Come Along Tonight)
- 1952 Altyd in my Drome (Always in my Dreams)
- 1954 Die Skatkis van Afrikaanse Musiek (The Treasure Trove of Afrikaans Music) - with Nico Carstens, His Master's Voice 10" LP (Compilation)
- 1957 Donker Afrika (Dark Africa)
- 1964 Die Wonderwêreld van Kammie Kamfer (The Magic World of Kammie Kamfer), Al Debbo with Nico Carstens, Columbia 33JSX 11059
- 1968 Baas Jack (Boss Jack) - with Nico Carstens, Columbia JSX 11124
- 1968 Sonbrilletjies (Sunglasses) - with Nico Carstens, Columbia JSX 11135
- 1969 Die Beste van Al en Nico (The Best of Al and Nico) - with Nico Carstens, Columbia JSX 11142
- 1969 Stadig Oor die Klippe (Proceed With Care) - with Nico Carstens, Columbia SCXJ(D) 11157
- 1970 Die Tantes van Nantes (The Old Ladies of Nantes) - with Nico Carstens, Columbia SCXJ 11180
- 1974 Pens en Pooitjies (Boots and All)
- 1978 Zulu Warrior - with Nico Carstens, MFP SRSJ 8089
- 1996 Ek lewe nog (I’m still Alive)
- 2000 Pieringoog Potpourri - Al Debbo sê Dankie (Saucer Eye Potpourri – Al Debbo says Thank You)