Prolific all-rounder South African actor David Dukas dead at 51 from heart failure.

by Thinus Ferreira

The prolific South Africa actor David Dukas who appeared in almost every South African soap with roles in films like District 9 and Invictus and who was Captain Hume in Black Sails, has died from heart failure. He was 51.

The Theatre Benevolent Fund of SA said that it "mourns the sad loss of wonderful actor David Dukas. Condolences to his loved ones," while messages and tributes started pouring in from industry friends on Wednesday afternoon.

Born in the mining town of Virginia, David Dukas, from a young age went with his mother, who was a member of the amateur dramatic society The Goldfields Players and watched stage rehearsals and which sparked his love of acting.

He graduated high school in 1988, completed the National Higher Diploma in acting at the Tswane University of Technology and began his career on-stage at the former PACT (Performing Arts Council of Transvaal).

In 1993 he made his TV debut in Triptiek and in 1994 he joined Egoli on M-Net (DStv 101). He was seen again on the channel two years ago as Bruno in the international HBO co-production Trackers. 

Since 1993 the actor went on to make numerous appearances in several South African as well as international co-productions filmed in the country over the past 28 years.

TV series in which David Dukas appeared include Triptiek, Paradys, Natural Rhythm, Legend of the Hidden City, 37 Honey St, e.tv's Backstage, It Rained Last Night, Haak & Steek, Jozi Streets, Villa Rosa, Der weisse Afrikaner, The Res, Madam & Eve, Die Byl, Warrior, Grant, The Devil Speaks, Knapsekêrels, Home Affairs, Strike Back, Jacob's Cross, the BBC's The Wrong Mans, kykNET's Sterlopers, and The Cars that Made the World.

David Dukas portrayed Captain Hume in A+E Networks' Black Sails on the History (DStv 186) channel that was filmed in Cape Town and appeared in the British sci-fi series Doctor Who in 2018 when that series filmed two seasons in Cape Town.

David Dukas also had roles in several soaps ranging from e.tv's Backstage and kykNET's Getroud met Rugby and Binnelanders, to SABC3's Isidingo, SABC1's Skeem Saam and Generations, to SABC2's 7de Laan.

In film he starred in Hot Legs and Merchant of Death, The Place of Lions, Operation Delta Force 3, Operation Delta Force 5, Sweepers, Inside Out, Cold Harvest, Africa, Merlin: The Return, The Gates of Cleveland, Desert Diners, Stern der Liebe, Witness to a Kill, Lyklollery, Slash, Hooded Angels, Stander and 2003's The Company You Keep.

He also appeared in movies like Beserker, Blood of Beasts, Zimbabwe, District 9, Invictus, 2010's Mrs Mandela and 2011's Winnie Mandela, Elusive Spring, Brothers in Blood, The Jakes are Missing, My Father's War, Far From the Castle, Bloodshot and 2020's Black Beauty. 

Besides myriad TV commercials David Dukas was on stage in productions like Biko... Where the Soul Resides,  Princess Emma-Ukuzazi the longrunning Hinterland and several others, and he also worked as a voice-over and dubbing artist for telenovelas.