Al Debbo dies
Bloemfontein – The comedian Al Debbo has died at the age of 87 in a Bloemfontein hospital.
About three weeks ago Debbo was taken up at the Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic where he was treated for a mild lung infection, reported Karen Ebersohn.
Hospital spokesperson Amanda Appelgryn said that Debbo also received treatment for heart failure.
More than 60 years ago, Debbo made his debut in the film Die Kaskenades van Dokter Kwakin 1949. Debbo followed this performance with 20 others, with his last film appearance being in Leon Schuster’s Oh Shucks I’m Gatvol released in 2004.
His latest album Pieringoog Potpourri was released in 2000 featuring al the idiosyncratic acts that made him famous such as Hasie, Die Tantes van Nantes, (Die) Brakke van Turffontein and Bolandse Nooientjie.
TV journalist Thinus Ferreira reports that the weekly entertainment magazine show Kwêla on the Afrikaans satellite television channel kykNET (DStv channel 111) is fast changing its line-up for this evening’s episode at 19:30.
As a tribute to Al Debbo Kwêla will re-run the last interview the show did with him and his family in 2005. "Our last visit with Al Debbo was in 2005 when he was already frail. As a tribute Kwêla looks back at the visit."
Watch: A scene from the 1969 film Stadig oor die Klippe, in which Al Debbo (as the detective Boetie Vlenters) performs the song Wie is bang vir daardie spook ('Who's afraid of the ghost'). The song was written by Aubrey van Eeden.
leerobbertse - 2011-07-13 11:48
Rus in vrede oom, en dankie.
Currie_Mafia - 2011-07-13 12:39
Thanks Al...who can forget Attie en Joos..RIP.
Linus - 2011-07-13 13:36
I think Al Debbo did the song "Ag pleez daddy won't you take us down to Durban, it's only 5 hours in the Chevrolet...." Thanks for the memories Al - rest in peace.
WarGod - 2011-07-13 16:51
Die eerste kleurling/bruin komedieen in Suid Afrika, wat selfs witmense van gehou het! Kurt Schoonraad lyk so baie soos hom. Rus in vrede oom.
Zion - 2011-07-13 17:15
Linus, That was Jeremy Tayler circa 1961/2.
gansgatte - 2011-07-13 17:38
@WarGod - Al Debbo was van Libanese afkoms - nié dat dit saak maak van watter ras hy afkomstig is nie!
WarGod - 2011-07-13 23:49
@gansgatte Hahahah libanees se voet. Ja, net soos sommige kleurlinge in die Kaap "portugees", "grieks" of "italianers" was, kyk na hom, hy was 'n Kaapse kleurling. Sy pa was inderdaad libanees maar nie sy ma nie (sy was n kaapse maleier van Bokaap). Maar, jy's reg, dit maak nie saak van watter ras hy afkomstig was nie. Die oom was snaaks.
MACKAROONEY - 2011-07-13 11:50
Kietakind - 2011-07-13 11:52
grootgeword met sy kaskenades - rus in vrede oom Al
Meanleader - 2011-07-13 16:55
Rest in peace Oom ...in life you were loved , and in death you will be remembered ... Truely an Icon of his era !!!!! goodbye old man !!!!
rsjdelange - 2011-07-13 11:53
Tosiens Oom ons sal jou mis en dankie vir al die lag en plesier ons gaan Hasie hoekom is jou sterk so kort ook mis. Rus in vrede Oom
JohannV - 2011-07-13 11:58
Shame, another legend gone.
mirchelle - 2011-07-13 12:06
rus sag... gaan al oom se "alles" onthou...dankie vir die bydrae tot AFRIKAANSE kuns en kultuur!
Willie - 2011-07-13 12:09
Daar sal nie gou weer iemand wees wat 'n mens kan laat lag soos hy nie. Rus in vrede oom Al.
BOFFINBOB - 2011-07-13 12:12
Along with Michael Meyer, Darryl Jooste & Pip Friedman...one of the greats. R.I.P. " old man. "
Flarkit - 2011-07-13 12:13
RIP Al, you were one of the greats in SA entertainment
Nad kewl - 2011-07-13 12:14
djg - 2011-07-13 12:16
dankie vir al die lag!!!
Francois - 2011-07-13 12:21
Dankie oom al vir al die lekker lag oor die jare. Net anderdag het ek my kinders weer bietjie bekend gestel aan jou kaskenades en hulle het net so lekke gelag!!! Jy sal beslis 'n spesiaale plekkie kry waar jy ookal heengaan.
Linda Grobler - 2011-07-13 12:22
Ag my hart is nou so seer!!!!! Ek sal nooit vergeet hoe hy vir my ogies getrek het by Bloemfontein skou - meer as 23 jaar gelede!!!!!!! Hoe hy altyd ingeval het by Barba's Café in Memosa Mall waar ek as student gewerk het nie.... oom Al, jy was geliefde en dierbaar. Gaan jou baie mis!
fransie.botha1 - 2011-07-13 12:29
'n Groot gees is van ons weggeneem. Al Debbo ons sal jou altyd onthou.
BG - 2011-07-13 12:40
Sal nooit aan oom Al dink sonder om na my oupa te verlang nie. Elke konsert heel voor gesit en lag tot die trane loop.Dankie Oom.
maloorsports - 2011-07-13 12:42
Dankie Oom Al. Rus in vrede.
Onlyme - 2011-07-13 12:42
Another legend goes to rest. RIP Al, may your pathway to heaven be paved with happiness and laughter.
Kallie - 2011-07-13 12:45
Rus in Vrede oom Al. Mag daar vrede oor familie en vriende wees wat agterbly. n Vol en kleurvolle lewe inderdaad gehad, vol humor. Suid Afrikaners het voorwaar n reus verloop, een van die stryd-osse van Komedie.
piet.strydom - 2011-07-13 12:48
Rus in vrede, oom Al. As die nood druk het ek ook al my hare met 'n tandeborsel, geborsel....
Tertia - 2011-07-13 12:51
SA's very own Mr Bean! Thanx for all the good laughs :-)
Fredster69 - 2011-07-13 14:01
I could not agree more. A sad loss and all the best for the family. RIP oom
Valium - 2011-07-13 12:57
Robschele - 2011-07-13 13:07
Ek onthou nog die episode in Spies en Plessis waar hy so ontsteld was oor die kitaar.
jjacgilbert - 2011-07-13 13:21
Not one negative comment. That alone says a lot about this man.
Richard - 2011-07-13 13:24
This is truly a sad day for Afrikaner Culture. He was a true stalward and brilliant comedian. Rus in vrede oom Al.
james4usa - 2011-07-13 13:54
Ek dink attie en joos was beter as dumb and dumber.
Rocky - 2011-07-13 14:02
Baie dankie vir alles oom.
Ninja71 - 2011-07-13 15:45
Dis hartseer! R.I.P. oom Al!
soulministries - 2011-07-13 16:05
Another legend gone! Thank you Al for hours of laughter! Gonna miss that!RIP
Amanda - 2011-07-13 16:09
Sterkte aan die familie. Hy was nog altyd my held. Mag hy in vrede rus.
Rene - 2011-07-13 16:18
RIP Al. Thank you for all the laughter.
Woman1 - 2011-07-13 22:14
RIP, this is when us Afrikaaners could still laugh, you really entertained the nations....
jakkals - 2011-07-13 16:20
wat 'n LEGEND!!!! Rus in vrede, oom! Dankie vir al die jare se bydra to Afrikaans!
Bewildered - 2011-07-13 16:22
RIP, Al Debbo - your legacy lives on
Lizette Strydom - 2011-07-13 16:28
Rus in Vrede Oom Al
50something - 2011-07-13 16:33
RIP Al, ons sal nog lank lag oor jou grappies
dachshund118 - 2011-07-13 16:43
Ons groet 'n legende. Al Debbo was 'n baanbreker in die Afrikaanse musiekbedryf. Sy talle opnames saam met musiekmeester Nico Carstens het 'n uiters vername rol gespeel in die fantastiese geskiedenis van ligte Afrikaanse musiek. Ek dink aan nommertjies soos Sonbrilletjies, Tamatiesous en Kerriekos, Ek Ry met die Trein, Die Tantes van Nantes, Die Wange van die Bobbejaan (wat terloops die eerste Afrikaanse liedjie in die geskiedenis was om verban te word), Water is Nat, Hasie, Sousboontjies ens.ens. Ek groet Al Debbo met 'n traan in my oog en terselfdertyd ook met groot dankbaarheid vir sy enorme bydrae tot die bevordering van ons taal en Afrikaanse musiek.
NZdreamer - 2011-07-13 18:31
Oh man, what wonderful childhood memories this brings back!! SA in the good old days! RIP and thank-you, you were truly a legend!! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Lizel - 2011-07-13 19:32
@Linus - ag pleeze daddy was sung by Jeremy Taylor. Al Debbo sang sonbrilletjies and Hasie.
Sheda Hab - 2011-07-13 19:49
A Lebanese legend who took Afrikanerdom by storm. Even though the Lebenese were not allowed to own land in SA until the 50s Al was accepted by Afrikaans speaking South Africans as one of their own.
Renette - 2011-07-13 20:17
Rus in vrede. Definitied 'n "Icon" van ons geskiedenis. Sal altyd "Sonbrilletjies" onthou.
TinaM - 2011-07-13 21:47
rus in vrede - wat 'n wonderlike talent!
hannah - 2011-07-13 22:03
Ai Oom, U moet lekker grappies maak in die hemel met Oom Zack,Oom Genis en Oom Tolla. Ons sal jou mis maar jy's verseker in 'n wonderlike plek nou. Baie dankie vir al die laggies en vreugde xx
rmattnertours - 2011-07-14 00:56
Kevin Rack - 2011-07-14 05:23
Thanks for the memories RIP!
Karoo18 - 2011-07-14 06:39
The_Rock - 2011-07-14 07:42
Dankie Al Debbo you made me laugh so many times in my life. Rest in Peace
Anien - 2011-07-14 07:56
R.I.P. AL Debbo, jy was 'n ware legend
preshengovender69 - 2011-07-14 08:33
put our phones on silent for him
clive.bounty - 2011-07-14 09:05
RIP Al Was a true professional and kept us very entertained for many years gone buy, to his family our sincere condolences he will be missed and is still a true South African hero.
Say-my-say - 2011-07-14 09:24
RIP Al! thanks for all the laughs as a child and adult.
DAB - 2011-07-14 10:01
Thanks for all the laughs. RIP