Dutch actor, singer and entertainer (1903–2011) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Johan Marius Nicolaas "Johannes" Heesters (5 December 1903 – 24 December 2011), known professionally as Johannes Heesters, was a Dutchactor, singer, and entertainer.
He worked for 90 years, almost always in German-speaking Europe. Heesters was one of the oldest working people in entertainment. Some people disliked Heesters because he once sang for Adolf Hitler[1] and supported Nazi Germany during World War II.
Heesters was married twice: to Belgian actress Louise Ghijs (1906-1985) from 1930 until her death and from 1992-2011 to Simone Rethel. Heesters had two daughters from his first marriage and five grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, twenty-five great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great-grandson as of 2011. His younger daughter Nicole Heesters is a well-known actress in the German-speaking world, as is his granddaughter Saskia Fischer.
On 1 January 2008, he fell down some stairs in his holiday house in Tyrol, Austria, breaking two ribs.[2]
On 29 November 2011, he suddenly fell ill and was rushed to hospital.[3] He was operated on to fit an artificial pacemaker. He was allowed home less than a week later. This was in time to spend his 108th birthday the next day with family. He did not feel strong enough to make the planned stage appearance to sing in celebration of his birthday. He also missed the premiere of his latest movie, Ten. Due to a relapse in his condition, on 17 December he went back to the hospital. He had a stroke and died on Christmas Eve 2011.[4][5][6]
