Soli Philander
Who Soli Philander is
Soli Philander was a South African comedian, storyteller, actor and television presenter whose humour carried the rhythms, languages and spirit of the Western Cape and drew on the communities of the Cape Flats. For decades he brought laughter to audiences on stage, on television and on radio: he presented the Afrikaans music quiz Liriekeraai for several seasons, the game show Vat 'n Kans and South Africa's edition of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, and he acted in productions including Arendsvlei, Dias Santana, Hooten & the Lady, Devil's Peak and The Umbrella Men: Escape from Robben Island. He died on 4 March 2026, aged 65.
At a glance
- Died
- 2026
- On screen
- Liriekeraai, Vat 'n Kans, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? and 12 more
Specials, shows and podcasts
On screen
- Liriekeraai presenter
- Vat 'n Kans presenter
- Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? South African edition, presenter
- Arendsvlei
- Dias Santana
- Hooten & the Lady
- Devil's Peak
- The Umbrella Men: Escape from Robben Island
- Let's Make a Deal South African edition, presenter, 2008
- Doen met 'n Miljoen! presenter, 2010
- Verkeerde Nommer film, 1982
- Dot en Kie Jean-Pierre de Kamp, 1988
- The Road to Mecca Kees, film directed by Athol Fugard, 1991
- Kideo Timothy Traddle, children's television, 1992
- Snaaks Genoeg Solly, film, 2016
Comedians like Soli Philander
Each linked to them by something on the record — a stage they both came through, a bill, a show, a style or a home town.
- Jeff Foxworthy also in Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
Their stand-up
Soli Philander's stage work ran from Waiting for Godot at the Baxter Theatre in 1980 and his one-man show Take Two at The Laager in 1991 to Nice Coat (Lekker Jas!) at the Baxter in 2017, and he wrote and performed Woeskroes; his work often promoted the Kaaps language in performance.
He held radio slots on Kfm 94.5, RSG and Smile 90.4 FM and won an Artes Award for best television presenter, and in 2019 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards for four decades of contribution to South African performing arts.
Career timeline
- 1982Verkeerde Nommer (film, 1982) On screen
- 1988Dot en Kie (Jean-Pierre de Kamp, 1988) On screen
- 1991The Road to Mecca (Kees, film directed by Athol Fugard, 1991) On screen
- 1992Kideo (Timothy Traddle, children's television, 1992) On screen
- 2008Let's Make a Deal (South African edition, presenter, 2008) On screen
- 2010Doen met 'n Miljoen! (presenter, 2010) On screen
- 2016Snaaks Genoeg (Solly, film, 2016) On screen
- 2026Died
Questions and answers
What TV shows and films is Soli Philander in?
Liriekeraai, Vat 'n Kans, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, Arendsvlei, Dias Santana and Hooten & the Lady, among 15 credits.
Who are some comedians like them?
Jeff Foxworthy (also in Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?).
The full SUCDb record
The full record — the career in order, the specials and credits, and the sources for each — is on SUCDb, with their place on the Legends ballots.
Sources
- News24 — Comedian and actor Soli Philander dies at 65 ↗ 5 March 2026: comedian and actor Soli Philander has died at the age of 65, on Wednesday; for decades he brought laughter, insight and warmth on stage,…
- SABC News — SA entertainer Soli Philander passes away ↗ 5 March 2026: South African actor, presenter, director, comedian and entertainment star, died at the age of 65; his most famous TV role presenting the…
- Wikipedia ↗ Let's Make a Deal (2008); Doen met 'n Miljoen! (2010); Verkeerde Nommer (1982); Dot en Kie (1988); The Road to Mecca (1991, directed by Athol Fugard); Kideo…
Updated 9 October 2026 · the record checked 8 October 2026