{{Short description|South African actor and comedian}} {{Other people}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}} {{Use South African English|date=August 2012}} {{more citations needed|date=January 2012}} {{Infobox person | name = Bill Flynn | image = | caption = Flynn as Tjokkie in ''Heel Against the Head'' in 1995 | birth_name = William Frederick Flynn | birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1948|12|13}} | birth_place = Cape Town, South Africa | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2007|7|11|1948|12|13}} | death_place = Johannesburg, South Africa | occupation = Actor, comedian | spouse = {{ubl|Anne Power (1st)|Jana Cilliers (2nd)}} | parents = Mary Flynn, William Frederick | children = Ryan Flynn / grandchildren = James, Ashton, Tyler Flynn }} '''William Flynn''' (13 December 1948 – 11 July 2007) was a South African actor and comedian, perhaps best known for playing Tjokkie.
==Early life== Flynn was born '''William Frederick Flynn''' in Cape Town and matriculated from Plumstead High School.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saayman |first=Marianke |date=2016-07-11 |title=On this day in history: Popular comedian Bill Flynn dies at age 58 |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/potchefstroom-herald/entertainment/2016/07/11/on-this-day-in-history-popular-comedian-bill-flynn-dies-at-age-58/ |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=Potchefstroom Herald |language=en}}</ref> He went to the UCT drama school and was a founder member of the Space theatre in Cape Town. He was the son of William Frederick and Mary Elizabeth (Née Morley).
==Overview== Flynn was perhaps best known for his portrayal of Tjokkie, a character that he portrayed as a wise-cracking, beer drinking rugby union fan. Flynn had won 13 best actor awards, including the ''Dublin Critics'' and ''Golden Entertainer Awards''. Among these were:<ref name='Bill'>{{cite news |title=Mr William "Bill" FLYNN |publisher=24.com |url=http://www.whoswhosa.co.za/Pages/profilefull.aspx?IndID=5525 |access-date=2008-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080114055541/http://www.whoswhosa.co.za/Pages/profilefull.aspx?IndID=5525 |archive-date=14 January 2008 }}</ref>
* Best Supporting Actor for ''Doubles'' – Fleur du Cap – Cape Town – 1987 * Best Actor for ''Saturday Night at the Palace'' * Best Actor Award for ''Hello and Goodbye'' – Dublin * Best Actor Award for a Comedy ''Play It Again Sam'' * Best Screenplay Award for ''Saturday Night at the Palace'' * Best Actor Award for role of Willy Loman in ''Death of a Salesman''
His film writing also won him a Best Screenplay award for ''Saturday Night at the Palace''. His karate comedy movie Kill and Kill Again was a top box office hit in America. Bill's movie of ''Saturday Night at The Palace'' won several Vita Film Awards, a Best Actor award at the Italian Taormina Film festival as well as a Merit Award at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
He was a longtime friend and collaborator of the actor and playwright Paul Slabolepszy.
Flynn was also involved in the music world. He was a co-founder and band member of ''The Rock Rebels'' (1998–2007) and the lead singer for ''Vinnie and the Viscounts'' (1987–1997).<ref name="mg">{{Cite web |date=2007-07-11 |title=Bill Flynn ‘was SA’s most loved actor’ |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2007-07-11-bill-flynn-was-sas-most-loved-actor/ |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
At the time of his death, Flynn was married to actress Jana Cilliers, his second wife.<ref name=mg/>
==Death== Flynn died in Johannesburg, South Africa on 11 July 2007 of an apparent heart attack.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Beloved S. African actor Bill Flynn dead at 58 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL12591150/ |access-date=20 September 2024 |work=Reuters}}</ref> He was 58 years old. His highly successful career included leading roles in over 140 stage plays, musicals, 42 films, dozens of TV shows and thousands of radio and TV commercials.
==Filmography== * 1973 House of the Living Dead * 1974 No Gold for a Dead Diver * 1979 Hello and Goodbye * 1981 Kill and Kill Again * 1982 City Lovers * 1983 Prisoners of the Lost Universe * 1983 Funny People II * 1985 Magic Is Alive, My Friend * 1986 Senor Smith * 1987 Saturday Night at the Palace * 1990 Kwagga Strikes Back * 1993 Die Prince van Pretoria * 1994 Kalahari Harry * 1994 Guns of Honor * 1994 Marie s'en va t-en guerre * 1995 Treasure at Elephant Ridge * 1996 Human Timebomb * 1999 Heel Against the Head * 2000 The Best of the "Kwai Klub" * 2000 The Carruthers Brothers * 2004 Oh Schuks... I'm Gatvol * 2004 Jozi Streets * 2006 Krakatoa - The Last Days * 2006 Running Riot
==Music==
===CD as singer=== * ''Toyi Kaka'' – 1995 * ''I Don't Like Cricket, I Love It'' – 1996 * ''B.O.K.K.E.'' – 1999 * ''Gees'' * ''Gooi My A Tenor'' * ''Tenors Racket'' * ''Rainbow Warrior''
===CD as group=== * ''Get Vrot'' – Vinnie & The Viscounts * ''Rock & Roll Party'' – Vinnie & The Viscounts * ''Get This'' – The Rock Rebels * ''Gooi Mielies'' – The Rock Rebels
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|0283412}} * [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3015&art_id=vn20070715084823945C960815 IOL: Flynn's death leaves gap in industry] * [http://allafrica.com/stories/200707170497.html allAfrica.com: Bill Flynn Obituary] * [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3015&art_id=nw20070712120703919C687623 Independent Online: Flynn brought laughter – DA] * [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=125&art_id=vn20070713001053440C509934Indepdent Online: Talent and utter niceness Flynn's trademarks] * [https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117968660.html?categoryId=25&cs=1 Variety Magazine: Bill Flynn, 58, South African actor; Veteran thesp won 13 best actor awards] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20081012004021/http://www.sabcnews.com/entertainment/the_arts/0,2172,152393,00.html SABC News: Arts community shocked at Flynn's untimely death] * [https://archive.today/20070616041730/http://www.thetimes.co.za/Columnists/ChrisBarron/Article.aspx?id=516001 The Times: Bill Flynn: A seriously funny man] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070714144416/http://iafrica.com/news/sa/493427.htm Shock as actor Bill Flynn dies]
==Baxter Theatre Stills== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110719034326/http://www.baxter.co.za/images/livingtogether.jpg "Living Together" with Jana Cilliers (1979)] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110719034350/http://www.baxter.co.za/images/saturday.jpg "Saturday Night at the Palace" with Fats Dibeco and Paul Slabolepszy (1983)] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110719034420/http://www.baxter.co.za/images/pale.jpg Paul Slabolepszy's "Pale Natives" (1994)] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110719034441/http://www.baxter.co.za/images/salesman.jpg As Willy Loman in "Death of a Salesman" (2001)] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110719034500/http://www.baxter.co.za/images/riot1.jpg "Running Riot" with Paul Slabolepszy (2002)]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Flynn, Bill}} Category:1948 births Category:2007 deaths Category:South African male stage actors Category:University of Cape Town alumni Category:South African male film actors