Actress, dancer, comedienne and singer Corrie van Gorp passed away last weekend at the age of 78. She broke through in the seventies when she performed together with Willem Nijholt in the theater shows of Wim Sonneveld. Many Dutch people will remember her as Mrs. De Bok, a character that she played together with André van Duin (as Mr. De Bok).
Van Gorp died in her sleep in Rotterdam on Sunday, her family reports.
Born in 1942, Van Gorp was originally a dancer. She was introduced to show business at an early age, as her father was part of a popular accordion trio. From the 1950s onwards she danced with, among others, the National Ballet.
Breakthrough
Her big break came in the seventies, after she auditioned for a musical by Wim Sonneveld. She then worked with Willem Nijholt and played with him in several theater shows. In 1975 she played in the musical A cannibal like you, by Freek de Jonge and Bram Vermeulen.
However, Van Gorp shone especially when she played with André van Duin and Frans van Dusschoten. Together they formed the popular revue company for years. They indulged themselves with dozens of hilarious characters, of which Mr. and Mrs. De Bok are undoubtedly the best known.
Unprecedentedly high viewing figures
The texts of Van Duin, Van Dusschoten and Van Gorp were often full of ambiguities. People were queuing up in front of the theaters. The shows, which could also be seen on television, scored unprecedentedly high viewing figures.
Many people react to the death of the comedian on social media. Many people write how much they enjoyed her. Claudia de Breij also writes that she laughed a lot about the woman. “What a wonderful type”, says De Breij.
Carnival-like thigh splatters
Van Gorp also sang, often carnival-like thigh crackers. She scored hits with Jodelahiti Jodelahita, Me Soesafoon, Being as slim as your daughter and Alie van de Wegenwacht.
Corrie van Gorp also starred in several cinema films, including Ik ben Joep Meloen and De Boezem mate. In both films she could be seen with André van Duin and Fans van Dusschoten.
Mr. and Mrs. de Bok in a Japanese restaurant
Television comback
Van Gorp made a television comeback in 2009 with Van Duin in the weekly Dik Voormekaar Show, after which she quietly withdrew from public life. In 2018, a display case was set up in the Oude Luxor Theater in Rotterdam with the original clothing of Mrs. De Bok as a tribute to Van Gorp.
Freek de Jonge remembers how ‘our Corrie’ threw herself fully into her role every night. “A treasure of a human,” he writes.
