Leendert de Ridder (1990) is a Dutch actor and presenter from Amsterdam. He graduated in 2012 from the Amsterdamse Toneelschool & Kleinkunstacademie.

Film and Television

During his studies Leendert made his first national appearance in Sterke Verhalen de Film, Het Klokhuis and Villa Achterwerk. After graduating he starred in leading roles in the children series VRijland (NPO Zapp), Het Mysterie Van… (RTL Telekids) and in the Belgian series Ghostrockers (Ketnet). He also played a part in the feature film Wonderbroeders and the short movie Caged (winner best short film at the Vittorio Veneto International Film Festival & Audience Award HBO America’s Rainbow Film Festival). Since 2016 Leendert has been playing the role of Mees Kees in the successful feature films Mees Kees Langs de Lijn (winner ‘Gouden Kalf Audience Award’ at the annual Nederlands Film Festival) and Mees Kees in de Wolken (nominated for ‘Zapp Award Best Youth Film 2020’). He also plays the part of Mees Kees in two seasons (48 episodes) of Mees Kees the series (ZDF Kika, NPO Zapp). The films and series of Mees Kees are linearly broadcasted internationally by different national broadcasting networks under the title of Mister Twister. They are also available worldwide for streaming on Netflix and other streaming platforms. Leendert presented the saturday night show Mees Kees Kwis (NPO Zapp) and De Faker (NPO Zapp) for AVROTROS. He competed successfully in three episodes of the popular quiz De Slimste Mens and presented De Buitendienst (NPO Zapp). 

Recently, Leendert imitated André Hazes Jr. in the well known Dutch sketch comedy and variety tv-show the TV Kantine (RTL 4). He also starred in the first episode of the drama series ‘Het jaar van Fortuyn’ (nominated for ‘de Zilveren Nipkowschijf 2022’).

Theater

After graduating from the Amsterdamse Toneelschool & Kleinkunstacademie Leendert played in Happy Place 2: Vee Vee Vee at Oerol and Happy Place 3: Sharing Creativity at Over ‘t IJ Festival of Kompagnie Kistemaker, directed by Karlijn Kistemaker. After that, Leendert played in Perenbomen bloeien wit (2015), Mariken (2016) and Dissus (2017) of Theatergroep Kwatta. Beginning of 2018 Leendert played in Bromance (winner Gouden Krekel) of Toneelgroep Oostpool, directed by Timothy de Gilde. That year he also toured Canada and the US with Manxmouse of Theatergroep Kwatta. He also starred in the rerun of ‘Sophie’ of De Theateralliante with Tjitske Reidinga, directed by Antoine Uitdehaag. In 2020 and 2021 Leendert played in the rerun of Perenbomen bloeien wit of Theatergroep Kwatta and Romeo & Julia of Goedemorgen Theaterproducties. After that he toured The Netherlands with Metamorfosen of Theatergroep Kwatta in 2022. Last season he played the part of ‘Evert’ in Hendrik Groen - Opgewekt naar de eindstreep.

This year Leendert can be seen in Een stel mannenpinguins of Theaterbolwerk Punch. He will also join the cast of Giselle of De Toneelmakerij and play the leading role of Anton Steenwijk in De Aanslag of Bos Theaterproducties.

Height: 183 cm (6′ 0)

Eyes: Blue / Green

Hair color: Dark blonde

Languages: Dutch, English, German