Fred Van Kuyk (78) is ending his rich acting career after more than 50 years. The Merksem resident has appeared in several films and series, including: White Shechem, Of Kotmadam in Return to Oosterdonk. The younger generation may know him as Grandpa Fonkel Mega Mindy. The strong seventy-something looks back fondly on his long career, but: “It went by faster than I wanted.”
Van Kuyk knows better than anyone that you should think from time to time about the things you do and try to absorb the beautiful moments. “When you’re so busy, you don’t enjoy enough,” he admits Primo back to a busy time as an actor. “You’re running from one thing to another. That was a bit taxing, but when you’re young you ask for a lot. I have always enjoyed my work. It’s a shame it’s over now,” he said in the weekly magazine.
A rich career
The Antwerp actor’s career began in 1973 The will-o’-the-wispfilm adaptation of the novel of the same name by Willem Elsschot. In it he played a police officer. There is little chance that you remember Van Kuyk from that. But since then the roles in Flemish films and series have accumulated. Even in the popular comedy series The Islandwho can blow out 20 candles this year, he played a role: the father of the main character Alain Vandam. An acting career from which he has nothing but wonderful memories. “I ended up in a group of very talented actors led by Jan Eelen. But, I never thought about these big names,” he says. “I did my job and everyone was happy. That’s the most important thing: doing your job well.”
So Van Kuyk asked to approach his acting with a certain professionalism “I was often on the set too early and I always wanted enough time to immerse myself in recordings. I knew what it was about and I was prepared.”
However, almost eighty years old was planning to build a career in the world of showbiz. “Thanks to my brother-in-law I got him in. I have been able to do great things and enjoy my work every day. It was a wonderful time,” he said.
From the city to the Kempen
A few years ago, Van Kuyk exchanged the city of Antwerp for Wuustwezel in Kempen. And he hasn’t regretted it for a moment, says the new retiree. “It’s not too bad here. I rarely go to the city anymore. That doesn’t exist anymore. The mentality and atmosphere in Antwerp has completely changed. I’m not lost anymore. I used to watch ‘my tower’ every week, but that’s not necessary anymore. The tranquility of the Kempen is also magical…,” says Van Kuyk.
2024-08-11 20:11:23
#retired #actor #Fred #Van #Kuyk #feels #home #Kempen #tower #week #longer
