Albert Mol
A charismatic Dutch performer who broke taboos as an openly gay television star and author, shaping public discourse on sexuality in the mid-20th century.
1917–2004 (age 87)·Dutch actor·Birthday: January 3·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Albert Mol was a man of many stages—theatre, film, television, and the page—who used each to challenge the conservative norms of his time. Coming of age during World War II, he was part of a banned artistic group and was later imprisoned in a German labor camp. Post-war, his flamboyant wit and talent made him a household name on Dutch TV, particularly as a regular panelist on the popular show 'Zo is het toevallig ook nog eens een keer'. In 1968, he published 'Het verraad', a candid autobiography about his homosexuality that was groundbreaking for its public frankness. While some in the later gay liberation movement found his approach too accommodating, there is no doubt he paved the way by living openly and discussing his life with humor and grace on national television, long before it was common to do so.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Albert was born in 1917, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Albert Was Born
The biggest hits of 1917
#1 Movie
Cleopatra
Albert's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1917Born
Russian Revolution overthrows the tsar; US enters WWI
President: Woodrow Wilson
1922Started school
King Tut's tomb discovered in Egypt
President: Warren G. Harding"April Showers" — Al Jolson
1930Became a teenager
Pluto discovered
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,510President: Herbert Hoover"Body and Soul" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: All Quiet on the Western Front
1933Could drive
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1935Could vote
Social Security Act signed into law
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,450President: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Cheek to Cheek" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Mutiny on the Bounty
1938Turned 21
Kristallnacht and the escalation toward WWII
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $2,850Min wage: $0.25/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Begin the Beguine" — Artie ShawBest Picture: You Can't Take It with You
1947Turned 30
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1957Turned 40
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1967Turned 50
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1977Turned 60
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1987Turned 70
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1997Turned 80
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2004Died at 87
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
Key Achievements
- Published one of the first mainstream autobiographies in the Netherlands to openly discuss homosexuality ('Het verraad', 1968).
- Became a widely recognized television personality as a core member of the popular Dutch show 'Zo is het toevallig ook nog eens een keer'.
- Authored several books and maintained a successful career as a stage and film actor for decades.
- Performed with the Nederlandse Comedie, one of the leading post-war theatre companies.
Did You Know?
He was a conscientious objector during World War II and was imprisoned in a Nazi labor camp in Berlin.
He was the uncle of actress Saskia van Rijswijk and singer-actress Caroline de Bruijn.
His autobiography caused a significant public stir upon its release in the late 1960s.
He performed in over 50 films and television productions throughout his career.
“I was always the jester, but the joke was often on the norms of the time.”
