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Johannes Heesters, the youngest of four sons born to merchant Jacobus Heesters and his wife Gertruida van der Hoevel, initially pursued a commercial apprenticeship after finishing school. Though he had aspired to become a priest, he began training at a bank before switching to acting in 1920. He trained in singing and acting in Amsterdam and secured his first theater roles there in 1921, later performing in The Hague, Brussels, and Rotterdam. In 1924, he landed a supporting role in the silent film "Cirque Hollandais," directed by Theo Frenkel. In 1930, he married Louisa H. Ghijs, with whom he had two daughters, Wiesje and Nicole; their marriage lasted 53 years until her death in 1985.
After performing in theaters across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland, Heesters made his operetta debut as a tenor in 1934 at the Vienna Volksoper in Millöcker's "The Begging Student." In 1936, he moved to Berlin, where he achieved his breakthrough at the Komische Oper, followed by performances at the Metropoltheater and the Admiralspalast. The Berlin audience nicknamed him "Jopie." He quickly transitioned to film, starring in numerous UFA productions, including his first lead roles in "The Bettelstudent" (1936) and "The Court Concert" (1936). His role alongside Marika Rökk in "Gasparone" (1937) cemented his status as a film star. In 1938, he first portrayed Count Danilo in Franz Léhar's operetta "The Merry Widow," a signature role he would perform for 35 years. Other films included "The Adventure Continues - Every Woman Has a Sweet Secret," "My Aunt - Your Aunt" (1939), and "Love School" (1940). The Reich Ministry for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda soon placed him on the "God-Given List." His stance on Nazi Germany was complex: although he owed much of his success to UFA, he declined German citizenship and never joined the NSDAP, nor did he openly denounce National Socialism.
Despite brief encounters with Adolf Hitler, Heesters performed in 1938 with a Jewish theater group that had fled Germany while in the Netherlands. He faced significant criticism abroad, especially in Holland, where he was accused of collaboration during the German occupation. Throughout the war, he enjoyed great success with films such as "Hello Janine" with Marika Rökk, "It Began So Harmlessly" with Theo Lingen, and "Roses in Tirol" with Hans Moser. After World War II, Heesters returned to the theater, maintaining his popularity. His rendition of Count Danilo's entrance song "I'm Going to Maxim" from "The Merry Widow" became a classic, performed over 1,600 times.
In 1953, Otto Preminger cast him in the Hollywood film "The Virgin on the Roof." By 1961, he had appeared in around 50 films. After a long hiatus, he returned to the screen in 1970 with "The Inspector: Parking Lot Hyenas," followed by "The Beautiful Wilhelmine" in 1983. In 1984, Heesters was made an honorary member of the Vienna Volksoper. He appeared in the 1985 comedy "Otto - The Film" and was active in literature, publishing his 1993 autobiography "Thank God I'm Not Young Anymore." During the 1990s, he acted in television plays including "Two Munichers in Hamburg," "Two Old Hands," and "Between Night and Day."
In 1992, Heesters married actress Simone Rethel, who was 46 years his junior. From 1996 to 2001, he starred alongside her in the play "A Blessed Age," written specifically for him by Curth Flatow. He received a "Bambi" lifetime achievement award in 1999. In 1997, at age 94, he celebrated his 75th stage anniversary and toured with "A Blessed Age." Known for his fondness for tobacco and whiskey, Heesters became the world's oldest active entertainer by the turn of the millennium. In 2001, he was honored with the Platinum Romy for his lifetime achievements.
At 99, in 2002, he marked 80 years on stage and published another autobiography, "Even a Hundred Years Are Not Enough." In 2003, he received an honorary "Bambi" award for his life's work. In 2004, Heesters performed four times as the gentleman in Hofmannsthal's "Everyman." He was honored as a "chamber singer" at the Wittenberge Elbland Festival. In August 2006, the first exhibition dedicated to Heesters opened at the Berlin Academy of Arts, which he inaugurated with a song recital. That year, he also received the "Honorary Radio Rainbow Award." In 2008, Heesters appeared in a supporting role in Til Schweiger's comedy "1 1/2 Knights - In Search of the Adorable Herzelinde." Starting in July 2010, he portrayed the king in Rolf Hochhuth's "Inselkomödie" at the Berliner Ensemble.
Johannes Heesters passed away on December 24, 2011, in Starnberg at the age of 108.
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