Queer Places:
Oude Raadhuisplein, 8261 HR Kampen, Netherlands
Hendrik (Henk) van Ulsen (Kampen, 8 May 1927 – Bussum, 28 August 2009) was a Dutch actor. He starred in many plays and television series. He also frequently borrowed his characteristic voice for advertising, documentaries and informative series such as Steden en hun Verleden and Steden des Tijds for Teleac. He could also be heard as a reader of various audiobooks. Henk van Ulsen played the role of Stefan Pielek in the film Golden Ophelia by Marcel Martin in 1974 in Belgium after the novel of the same name by Ward Ruyslinck. At the 1975 Trieste International Film Festival, Henk van Ulsen was awarded the Silver Asteroid: the prize for the best male lead interpreter.
Henk van Ulsen has never made a secret of his homosexuality. He appeared in De Meiden by
Jean Genet in 1965 and in the Haagse Comedie in Jongens onder elkaar (1969) – the Dutch version of
The Boys in the Band by
Mart Crowley.
Furthermore, with Van het een komt het ander (1996) he made a beautiful solo performance of the work of his favorite writer and friend
Gerard Reve.
Van Ulsen was a patron of De Schakel, the disco of the COC, founded by his fellow actor
Nico Engelschman (Bob Angelo).
Van Ulsen graduated from the Toneel school in Amsterdam in 1949. On television Van Ulsen acted in Floris, Can you tell me the way to Hamelin, sir?, The little truth, Pension Hommeles, The curse of Woestewolf and William of Orange. In 1963 he played the leading role in the Dutch feature film De Vergeten Medeminnaar. He also collaborated on Hadimassa, a popular satirical Dutch television program that was broadcast by VARA from 1967 to 1972.
In the theatre he appeared in Zoo story (1961), Diary of a madman (from 1965), A Midsummer Night's Dream (1967), Dead Souls, Virgule (1976-1977), My Hero Chichikow (1977-1978), Leocadia (1985-1986), No exit (1988), Job on Schokland (1992), The Life of Galileo (2001), Mortals (2001), Requiem for a Heavyweight (2003), Playing with words (2004) and Death in Venice (2007).
Van Ulsen was awarded the Louis d'Orin 1970. He also won the Albert van Dalsum Prize, an Edison Classic (1967) and various medals of honour; especially for his interpretation of the Bible book of Ecclesiastes he was awarded the Spaan Prize in 1978. In 1980 he was made a Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau. In 1999 he celebrated his fiftieth anniversary as an actor. On the occasion of his 80th birthday and the 150th birthday of IJssel painter Jan Voerman, a special exhibition was set up in the Museum De Fundatie in Zwolle. On his eightieth birthday he played a performance of Death in Venice in his hometown Kampen. At the final applause he was serenaded by the audience present.
Van Ulsen died on 28 August 2009 at the age of 82 from acardiac arrest. In the last weeks of his life he was still very active as an actor. Henk van Ulsen's archive is in the theatre collection of special collections of the University of Amsterdam.
In Kampen on the Oude Raadhuisplein a memorial stone has been placed as a thank you for his contribution to the promotion of the city.
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