Jan van Dommelen was a Dutch actor who is best known for his roles in early Dutch cinema, particularly in films like De bannelingen, Op hoop van zegen, and Schakels. Born on April 28, 1878, in Amsterdam, he started his career on stage before transitioning into film.
Personal and Family Life
Jan van Dommelen was born into a family with a theatrical background, as his father was a well-known stage actor. He was married twice, first to Margaretha Josina Josephine Anjelier, with whom he had one child, and later to Johanna de Vries, with whom he had two children. He had a close-knit family, including siblings who also pursued acting careers, which likely influenced his passion for performance.
Career Highlights
Van Dommelen’s acting journey began with stage performances, during which he developed his craft. He joined the Koninklijke Vereeniging Het Nederlandsch Tooneel in 1895 and worked there for 14 years, gradually taking on more significant roles. In 1911, he made a notable transition to film, starring in some of the first Dutch movies, which helped shape the early film industry in the Netherlands.
Death and Legacy
Jan van Dommelen passed away on October 26, 1942, in Santpoort, Netherlands. His contributions to Dutch cinema, especially through his pioneering roles in early films, have left a lasting legacy. Despite facing challenges later in his career, his work paved the way for future generations of actors in the Netherlands.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Nederland en Oranje | 1913-09-10 | Willem van Nassau / Willem de Zwijger / Koning Willem I |
| Het Geheim van Delft | 1917-03-09 | Jan Vogel |
| Majoor Frans | 1916-08-25 | Kolonel / Colonel |
| Gouden ketenen | 1917-05-18 | Kolonel van Borselen / Zeeman |
| Het Geheim van den Vuurtoren | 1916-01-14 | Prof. Van der Velde |
| Boefje | 1939-10-04 | Viswinkelier |
| Bulldog Drummond | 1922-12-29 | Gangster (disguised as servant) |
| Een Carmen van het Noorden | 1919-07-17 | Dalboni |
| Ulbo Garvema | 1917-11-02 | Hendrik |
| Ontrouw | 1911-10-01 | |
| Weergevonden | 1914-09-18 | Dokter |
| Vrouwenoogen | 1912-03-18 | |
| Moderne Landhaaien | 1926-03-19 | |
| De Big van het Regiment | 1935-04-19 | Vader van Nora |
| Amerikaansche Meisjes | 1918-11-04 | Janus Dommel |
| Op Hoop van Zegen | 1918-10-21 | |
| Oorlog en Vrede: 1914 | 1918-10-11 | Robert de Roqueville / Jean Ducrot |
| Oorlog en Vrede: 1916 | 1918-10-18 | Robert de Roqueville / Jean Ducrot |
| Toen ‘t licht verdween | 1918-07-08 | Van Haaften |
| La Renzoni | 1916-09-08 | Henri de Jager |
| Schakels | 1920-01-09 | Pancras Duif |
| De bannelingen | 1911-12-09 | |
| Roze Kate | 1912-04-04 | |
| Krates | 1913-11-28 | Signor Carlo |
| Silvia Silombra | 1913-09-28 | Silvia’s vader / Priester |
| De bloemen, die de ziel vertroosten | 1914-07-03 | Haar vader |
| Liefde waakt | 1914-07-03 | Raymond |
| Luchtkasteelen | 1914-09-18 | |
| Zijn viool | 1914-03-20 | |
| Toffe jongens onder de mobilisatie | 1914-10-16 | Adele’s vader |
| De wolf in de schaapskooi | 1914-01-23 | Kunstenaar |
| Het geheim van het slot Arco | 1914-09-18 | |
| De vloek van het testament | 1915-02-16 | Jan Velsen |
| De vrouw Clasina | 1915-09-03 | |
| Ontmaskerd | 1915-09-24 | |
| Liefdesstrijd | 1915-11-26 | Pachter |