Coenraad Lodewijk Dirk "Coen" van Vrijberghe de Coningh (12 November 1950 – 15 November 1997) was a Dutch actor, musician, composer, record producer and television presenter.
Biography
Born in Amsterdam to actor Cruys Voorbergh and the younger brother of artist Emmy van Vrijberghe de Coningh, he enrolled at the Academy of Theatre and Dance at the age of 17. He also played the guitar in high school. After graduation, De Coningh made his stage debut as a background singer and dancer in plays written by Annie M. G. Schmidt and Harry Bannink and he appeared in a cabaret sketch by Rients Gratama in the mid-1970s. He also served as the host of the NCRV show Showroom from 1977 until 1980.
On screen, De Coningh appeared in the 1989 film Lily Was Here. Before the film, he originally shortened his name to "Van Vrijberghe" as he felt his name was too long for movie posters. He was however, best known to Dutch audiences for his role as Johnnie Flodder in the television series Flodder from 1993.
In 1987, he formed a cabaret band with Theo Nijland and Han Oldigs called The Shooting Party. In 1996, De Coningh provided the voice of Buzz Lightyear in the Dutch-Language version of the 1995 animated film Toy Story.
Personal life
From 1984 until his death in 1997, De Coningh was in a relationship with actress Wivineke van Groningen.
Death
On 15 November 1997, while attending a private company party with Stefan de Walle and Tatjana Šimić three days after his 47th birthday, De Coningh suffered a fatal heart attack and died after attempts to resuscitate him failed. He was buried at Zorgvlied Cemetery.
Following De Coningh's death, Flodder was promptly cancelled once his posthumous appearances aired. The Shooting Party was also disbanded.
Filmography
Cinema
Lily Was Here (1989) – Ted
Wilde Harten (1989) – Visser/Afficheplakker
Alaska (1989) – Mario
Het nadeel van de twijfel (1990) – Simon
The Indecent Woman (1991) – Charles
Ik verlaat je nooit (1993) Flodder 3 (1995) – Johnnie Flodder Marie Antoinette is Not Dead (1996) – Journalist The Boy Who Stopped Talking (1996) – Politieagent
Television
Switch (1988) – Martin
Prettig geregeld (1988) Familie Oudenrijn (1990) – Hank Staten Generaal (1991) – Journalist Jos Recht voor z'n raab (1992) – Architect Paul Esders Watt?! (1992) – Presenter Pleidooi (1993) – Harry Govers In voor- en tegenspoed (1993) – Makelaar Flodder (1993–1998) – Johnnie Flodder Kats & Co (1994) – Paul Kats Bruin Goud (1995) – Haddert Halma 12 steden, 13 ongelukken (1996) – Ruud Erkels Zeeuws Meisje (1997) – Hypnotiseur Aga Oerie Kahn De Nieuwsgier (1997) – Various Knoop in je Zakdoek (1997) – Rob
Voice dubbing
The Rescuers Down Under (1991) – Jake
Toy Story (1996) – Buzz Lightyear
101 Dalmatians (1997) – Jasper
Anastasia (1998) – Grigori Rasputin (posthumous release)