Rutger Hauer Movies and Career Information

Rutger Oelsen Hauer (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈrʏtxər ˈulsə(n) ˈɦʌuwər]; English pronunciation: /ˈrʌtɡər ˈhaʊər/; born 23 January 1944) is a Dutch stage, television and film actor. His career began in 1969 with the title role in the popular Dutch television series "Floris", directed by Paul Verhoeven. His film credits include Flesh + Blood, Blind Fury, Blade Runner, The Hitcher, Nighthawks, Sin City, Ladyhawke, The Blood of Heroes, and Batman Begins. Hauer is a dedicated environmentalist and has founded an AIDS awareness organization, the Rutger Hauer Starfish Foundation. He is the father of actress Aysha Hauer and the grandfather of fashion model Leandro Maeder. Hauer was born in Breukelen, Netherlands, to drama teachers Arend and Teunke, and grew up in Amsterdam. Since his parents were very occupied with their careers, he and his three sisters (one older, two younger) were raised mostly by nannies. At the age of 15, Hauer ran off to sea and spent a year scrubbing decks aboard a freighter. Returning home, he worked as an electrician and a carpenter for three years while attending acting classes at night school. He went on to join an experimental troupe, with which he remained for