Al Debbo

Al (Alec) Debbo (22 June 1924 – 13 July 2011) was a South African comedian, singer and actor. As one of the most famous artists of his generation he made an enormous contribution to Afrikaner music and culture.[1]

Early life

Alec Debbo, the son of Lebanese parents, was born in Bloemfontein, 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, because Afrikaans was the dominant language in Bloemfontein.[2]

In school concerts he displayed a knack for making people laugh but he did not see comedy as a viable career, so after he matriculated he qualified as a plumber. Singing and comedy remained his hobbies and he performed at functions and weddings. In 1947 everything changed after his friends dared him to participate in a countrywide talent competition, associated with the South African Industries Fair, which he won. As a result he landed his first film role in Die Kaskenades van Dokter Kwak. It lasted only three minutes but it was enough to generate national recognition.[2]

Career

Film

Debbo made his film debut in Die Kaskenades van Dokter Kwak in 1949.[3]

After his success in films such as Alles sal regkom (1951) (Everything will turn out well), Dis lekker om te lewe (1957) (It's great to be alive) and Fratse in die vloot (1958), he made his debut as producer in the 1961 film Boerboel de Wet. In 1969 he produced the film Stadig oor die klippe (Slowly across the stony parts), while playing the lead role of Boetie Flenters (a bungling private eye who – à la the Pink Panther – somehow still managed to get the bad guys). However, Al always thought that Donker Afrika (1957) (Dark Afrika) was his best film.[2] He appeared in over twenty films, in a movie career that spanned more than 60 years.[3] His last appearance was in the 2004 movie, Oh Schuks... I'm Gatvol (Oh Shucks, I'm fed up), which was directed by Leon Schuster.[3]

Music

In 1968 Al had a runaway success with his rendition of Hasie, a song composed by Nico Carstens 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).[2]

Some of Debbo’s greatest hits[1] were:

Final recognition and Death

In 2011 Al Debbo was awarded the Comics Choice Awards lifetime achievement honor for his contributions to South Africa's entertainment industry.[3]

Debbo was admitted to the Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic in June 2011 for treatment of a lung infection and a heart condition.[4] He died three weeks later at the hospital, on 13 July 2011, at the age of 87.[3]

Filmography

Discography

Albums

References

  1. 1 2 Mimosa Films
  2. 1 2 3 4 ‘n Huldeblyk aan Al Debbo
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Al Debbo dies". News24. 13 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  4. ↑ "Farewell to a local legend". Independent Online (South Africa). 13 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
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