André van Duin

André van Duin was born as Adrianus Marinus Kyvon on February 20th, 1947. At the age of 15 he sent letters to several TV networks, requesting an audition. He's always had the talent of amusing people, imitating celebrities and singing. Unfortunately every network turned him down, because he was too young.

In 1964 he competed in a TV show called "Nieuwe oogst", in which young talented people got the chance to prove themselves. He won the contest and started appearing as a guest in a few shows.

In 1965 he got the opportunity to do a television programme of his own; for the AVRO-network he did a show called "Een avondje TV met André". He also released his first two singles that year.

André got more and more appearances on TV and in 1972 he also started working for the radio.

Together with Ferry de Groot he did the "Dik Voormekaar Show" in 1973. It turned out to be very successful and also went on to be a TV show.

In 1977, he became a character in a comicbook called "Een showboot vol heisa". Ten years later Toon van Driel created André's own comic book series.

In 1981 André starred in his first movie Ik ben Joep Meloen (1981).

A year later his second, De boezemvriend (1982) followed. After working for TROS Televisie for many years, he switched to a new channel, RTL 4.

A decade of success would follow, with shows like André's Comedy Club (1998), mainly working together with Ron Brandsteder.

In 2000, his radioshow "Dik Voormekaar" returned on the air at Radio 3FM, lasting three years.

In 2004, André van Duin finished at number 52 in the election of ''De Grootste Nederlander'' (The Greatest Dutchman).

Won the Gouden Eeuw Award (the "Golden Century Award") in September 2009 for his television career. He received this award from foundation Nederland Positief.