Thijs Römer

Thijs Römer is a Dutch actor, producer, writer and director born on 26 July 1978 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He began his artistic journey in the theatre, appearing in 1998 in the productions De Zeven Deugden: Doolhof and Orestes, and subsequently acted in the filmed version of the latter. In 2002 he co‑founded the experimental troupe Annette Speelt together with fellow graduates of the Amsterdam Theatre School, fostering a collaborative environment that produced several acclaimed stage projects. That same year Römer made his television debut in Najib en Julia, a series directed by the controversial filmmaker Theo van Gogh, marking the start of a fruitful partnership that yielded films such as Cool! (2004), 06/05 (2004) and Medea (2005). His performance in 06/05 earned him the prestigious Golden Calf for Best Actor in 2005, cementing his status as a leading talent in Dutch cinema. Römer expanded his reach to international audiences with his English‑language debut in the 2007 thriller Blind Date. In 2012 he appeared on the cover of L’HOMO, the LGBTQ edition of Linda magazine, featuring a provocative kiss with fellow actor Tygo Gernarndt, which sparked widespread media attention. The following year he received a Rembrandt Award for Best Dutch Actor for his role in Alles is familie (Family Way). Beyond his professional achievements, Römer married actress Katja Schuurman in 2006; the couple welcomed one child before divorcing in 2015, and he later married ballerina Igone de Jongh in 2019, also ending in divorce in 2023. In November 2022 Dutch authorities announced a prosecution for alleged grooming of underage girls, leading to a trial in July 2023 and a sentence of 240 hours of community service plus a suspended month of imprisonment in August 2023. Despite the controversy, Römer continues to be a polarising figure whose contributions to Dutch film and theatre remain influential.