Biography

Johan Ooms (1944–2020) was a Dutch actor. For years he was a much sought-after actor, performing in over eighty stage productions over the course of 40 years, as well as many roles in television and film. He remains best known for his portrayals of Louis Davids.

He appeared in multiple acclaimed films, such as Hoge hakken, echte liefde, de IJssalon, De mannetjesmaker, Zus & Zo and Karakter. For his role in Rituelen, based on the novel by Cees Noteboom, he received a Golden Calf nomination for best actor.

Ooms first played iconic Dutch comedian Louis Davids in the stage adaptation of the stage play 'Mensch Durf Te Leven' in 1979, as well as Dimitri Frenkel Frank's film adaptation a year later. Four years later he reprised the role in the musical 'De zoon van Louis Davids' (The Son of Louis Davids). All of these performences received high praise.

In 2004 a condition of his vocal cords made it impossible for him to perform on stage, but at times he was able to appear on television. His last part was that of Father Gerardus in several episodes of tv series Flikken Maastricht.