Ben Voss

{{Short description|South African comedian, actor and satirist}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use South African English|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Benjamin Voss | image = Ben Voss.jpg | image_size = 250px | caption = Ben Voss | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1973|5|3}} | birth_place = Rhodesia | death_date =  | death_place = | body_discovered = | death_cause = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates =  | nationality = | citizenship = South African | other_names = | known_for = Beauty Ramapelepele | education = | alma_mater = University of Natal, South Africa | employer = | occupation = | years_active = | height = | title = | term = | predecessor = | successor = | party = | opponents = | boards = | spouse = | partner = | children = | parents = | relations = | callsign = | signature = | website = {{URL|benvoss.co.za}} | footnotes = }}

'''Ben Voss''' (born 3 May 1973) is a South African comedian, actor and satirist. He has been a professional actor, playwright and producer since 1998. He has also starred in films alongside John Cleese and Troye Sivan and in the TV series ''Desert Rose'' on Mnet and Showmax.<ref name="bio">{{Cite web|title=Biographical information from www.benvoss.co.za|url=http://www.benvoss.co.za/site/user_data/files/Biography_May_2010.doc|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100703032630/http://www.benvoss.co.za/site/user_data/files/Biography_May_2010.doc|archive-date=2010-07-03|access-date=2010-06-12}}</ref>

==Early life and education== He was born in Rhodesia and educated in Natal, South Africa. He completed an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Natal. He also has a post-graduate degree in Human Resources from the same institution. After a gap year in South East Asia he returned to Durban, South Africa to take up a post as an engineer in the paper industry.<ref name="bio"/>

==Performing arts career== In 1998 he gave up engineering and turned to acting. He performed in Shakespeare's ''Twelfth Night'' in 2001 and played the title role in ''Macbeth'' in 2002. He is a multiple Naledi Award and Fleur du Cap winner and nominee.

===Stage===

On stage Voss is primarily a satirist. Together with John van de Ruit (of Spud fame),<ref>{{Cite book |last=Van de Ruit |first=John |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/ocm87375897 |title=Spud |date=2007 |publisher=Razorbill |isbn=978-1-59514-170-5 |location=New York |oclc=ocm87375897}}</ref> he produced and performed the comedy skit shows ''Green Mamba'' and ''Black Mamba''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=priscilla |date=2007-11-18 |title=Black … and white |url=https://witness.co.za/archive/2007/11/19/black-and-white-20150430/ |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=The Witness}}</ref> Both won many of South Africa's major comedy and theatre awards<ref>{{Cite web|title=Awards for Mamba Productions|url=http://www.benvoss.co.za/site/mamba/view/59/3/2010/04/30|url-status=bot: unknown|access-date=1 November 2021|archive-date=9 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209152038/http://www.benvoss.co.za/site/mamba/view/59/3/2010/04/30}}</ref> and played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Germany and the United Kingdom, with runs at the Wimbledon Theatre in London.

Voss uses comedy as commentary on life in post-apartheid South Africa. His shows, ''Beauty and the B.E.E.'' and ''Bend it like Beauty'' (commissioned by the Oval House Theatre in London)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maxwell |first=Domonic |title=Bend It Like Beauty at Oval House, London SE11 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/bend-it-like-beauty-at-oval-house-london-se11-h8j5j5n70gm |website=The Times|date=3 June 2010 }}</ref> played in South Africa and abroad. His run at the Oval House Theatre in London was featured on BBC world news and he was commissioned to perform at events for the South African Soccer World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Theatre Review: Bend it Like Beauty at Oval House Theatre|url=https://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/bendbeauty-rev.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609185059/http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/bendbeauty-rev.htm |archive-date=2011-06-09 }}</ref> Voss has also shared the stage with Pieter-Dirk Uys's "Evita" <ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://pdu.co.za/ |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=pdu.co.za}}</ref> on his DVD release of Elections and Erections.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Uys |first=Pieter-Dirk |title=Elections & erections: a memoir of fear and fun |date=2002 |publisher=Zebra Press |isbn=978-1-86872-665-3 |edition=1. publ |location=Cape Town}}</ref>

His one-man show ''Benny Bushwhacker''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dennill |first=Bruce |date=2019-09-29 |title=Theatre Interview: Ben Voss - Benny Bushwhacker: Constantly Creating, Or Enjoying Taking The Pith |url=https://www.brucedennill.co.za/2019/09/29/theatre-interview-ben-voss-benny-bushwhacker-constantly-creating-or-enjoying-taking-the-pith/ |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=Bruce Dennill}}</ref> played throughout southern Africa. In 2018 he played the Evil Queen<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dennill |first=Bruce |date=2018-11-04 |title=Theatre Review: Snow White - The Fairest Pantomime In The Land, Or All That Glitters Is Bold |url=https://www.brucedennill.co.za/2018/11/04/theatre-review-snow-white-the-fairest-pantomime-in-the-land-or-all-that-glitters-is-bold/ |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=Bruce Dennill}}</ref> in the pantomime stage show of Snow White, directed by Janice Honeyman, at the Joburg Theatre. In 2021 he was top billed, as one of the ugly sisters, alongside Desmond Dube in Janice Honeyman's ''Cinderella''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-25 |title='Cinderella' comes to Joburg Theatre {{!}} Creative Feel |url=https://creativefeel.co.za/2021/06/janice-honeyman-brings-cinderella-to-joburg-theatre/ |access-date=2024-06-08}}</ref> In 2023 he played Captain Hook in the three-month season of Peter Pan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter Pan |url=https://whatsoninjoburg.com/event/peter-pan/ |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=What's on in Joburg}}</ref> In 2024 he was awarded a star on Joburg Theatre's walk of fame.

===Film===

Voss's film credits include ''the Spud'' series of movies where Voss plays Mr. Lily, Spud's art teacher and under-14D/E rugby coach, alongside Troye Sivan and John Cleese.

He played the lead in Robert Fraser's ''Game'' and the supporting lead in Craig Friemond's drama ''Beyond the River'' in 2017.

===Television===

In 2022, Voss played a lead role in the MNET and Showmax production of ''Desert Rose'' which was released in 63 countries. In 2023 he appeared in the Emmy nominated ''Reyka'' -season 2.

== Awards == * Naledi Award – Best comedic performance * Naledi Award – Best South African Script * FNB Vita award – Best Supporting actor * FNB Vita award – Best Actor * Fleur du Cap award – Best Actor * Three Ovation Awards – National arts festival<ref>{{Cite web |title=Standard Bank Ovation Awards |url=https://sponsorships.standardbank.com/sbgs/sponsorship/arts-and-culture/Naf/Standard-Bank-Ovation-Awards |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=sponsorships.standardbank.com}}</ref>

==References== <references />

==External links== * [http://www.capetowntoday.co.za/Interviews/Actors/Green_Mamba.htm Interview] with John van de Ruit and Ben Voss about the comedy 'Green Mamba' * [http://www.benvoss.co.za/ Ben Voss's website] * [http://www.mambaproductions.co.za/ Mamba Productions website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Voss, Ben}} Category:Living people Category:1974 births Category:University of Natal alumni Category:21st-century South African dramatists and playwrights Category:South African male comedians Category:White South African people Category:South African drag queens Category:Male actors from Durban Category:Writers from Durban Category:21st-century South African LGBTQ people Category:1973 births Category:South African male film actors Category:South African male television actors Category:South African male stage actors Category:South African LGBTQ comedians Category:20th-century South African dramatists and playwrights

Ben Voss

Connections

Linked from

Links to (43 total)