Amsterdam-born actor Peter Faber has passed away at the age of 82 following heart complications, his family announced through national news agency ANP. He died peacefully surrounded by his close family members after being hospitalized with breathing difficulties earlier this month.
Faber had a prominent career across Dutch film, television, and theater, earning two Louis d’Or stage awards over the decades. His major breakthrough came in the mid-1970s when he starred in the film adaptation of Multatuli’s classic novel Max Havelaar.
A legendary stage and screen career
Following that success, Faber became a recognizable face in major Dutch cinema productions, including roles in Soldaat van Oranje, Ciske de Rat, Schatjes!, and the international war drama A Bridge Too Far.
He was also a familiar presence on television, starring in popular series such as Prettig Geregeld and Duel in de Diepte.
Alongside his commercial roles, Faber co-founded Het Werkteater, an influential Dutch theater collective. The performance group provided a collaborative space where he met his second wife, actress Shireen Strooker, with whom he shared two of his five children.
Deep roots in the city
Faber maintained strong ties to the capital throughout his life, keeping an art studio in Amsterdam-West where he painted regularly. His entry into acting began by chance in his youth after he ran away from school and spent two years living on the streets.
A local hairdresser in Amsterdam-Noord changed the trajectory of his life by clipping a newspaper audition advertisement for a Shakespeare play. Faber auditioned for the role, secured the part, and launched a career that spanned more than five decades.
In addition to his artistic work, Faber established a foundation dedicated to helping young people facing difficult circumstances. Drawing on his own experiences as a runaway teenager, he used the organization to provide support to youth at risk of falling through the cracks.
