Rutger Oelsen Hauer (); born
January 23,
1944) is a
Golden Globe-winning
Dutch film actor. He is well known for his roles in
Blade Runner,
The Hitcher,
The Blood of Heroes and
Batman Begins.
Biography
Early life
Hauer was born in
Breukelen,
Netherlands, to drama teachers Arend and Teunke, and grew up in
Amsterdam. Since his parents were very occupied with their careers, he and his three sisters (one older, two younger) were raised mostly by nannies. At the age of 15, Hauer ran off to sea and spent a year scrubbing decks aboard a freighter. Returning home, he worked as an electrician and a carpenter for three years while attending acting classes at night school.
[IMDb biography for Rutger Hauer. Accessed 2008-05-30.] He went on to join an experimental
troupe, with which he remained for five years before he was cast in the lead role in the very successful 1969
television series
Floris, a Dutch
Ivanhoe-like medieval action drama. The role made him famous in his native country.
[TV.com Rutger Hauer biography. Accessed 2008-05-30.]
