Biography

Cobus Visser was a South African actor, voice artist and translator who has acted in numerous theatre productions, feature films and television series. He was born in 1949 and completed his school career in Upington in the Northern Cape. He completed his drama training at the University of Pretoria and was a member of Performing Arts Councils in Bloemfontein and Pretoria in the 1970s. In 1976 he joined the SABC as a freelance translator, sync translator, dubbing director and actor. During these years he attended master classes in Los Angeles at the renowned Lee Strasberg Method School of Acting on several occasions with actors such as Al Pacino and Shelly Winters as guest lecturers. Several study tours followed in places like England and Germany, the latter under the guidance of friend and teacher Professor Wolfgang von Stas, who was attached to the University of Koblenz and later Saarbrücken. Stage highlights since 1975 include The Rainmaker, Bobaas van de Boendoe (André P Brink), Hamlet, Plaston DNS child (P.G. du Plessis) and many more. He also acted in films such as Die Square, Fiela se Kind, Die Storie van Klara Viljee, Promised Land, Oh Schuks ... I'm Gatvol!, Vaatjie Sien sy Gat, Hond se Dinges, Stoute Boudjies, Platteland, Die Ballade van Robbie de Wee, Agent 2000: Die Laksman and Die Rebellie van Lafras Verwey. Cobus acted in numerous television series, including Die Avonture van Joachim Verwey, Onder Draai die Duiwel Rond, Die Vierde Kabinet, Sterk Skemer, Amalia, Dryfsand, Die Uwe Pottie Potgieter, Moeggeploeg, Molly & Wors, Vetkoek Paleis, Swartwater, The Docket and Huis Lelieveld. He also acted in a number of soap operas including Generations, 7de Laan, Villa Rosa, Egoli: Place of Gold, Ashes to Ashes and Binnelanders. He spent several years as a writer for soapies such as Egoli and Villa Rosa. Cobus was also known for his vocal work on numerous soundtracks, and did a lot of translation work for television programs and films, mostly from English and German to Afrikaans. He died on Monday 28 October, 2019, of heart failure. He was 70.