Bio
Phillip C. Henn was a South African actor and photographer best known for his role as Dr Chris van Deventer in the M-Net soapie Binnelanders, from 2005-2009.
Phillip was born and grew up and attended school in Bloemfontein, and matriculated at Hoërskool CR Swart in Brandfort.
From 1980 to 1981 he did his national service, spending the second year in what was then known as South West Africa, during the bush war.
After that he began working at Rapport as a press photographer (sports and news). In 1986 he began to specialise and worked as fashion and beauty photographer for many of the country's top women's magazines.
In 1987 he was appointed senior stage manager artistic (Opera and Ballet) at the Sand du Plessis theatre in Bloemfontein.
From 1988 to 1991 he studied architecture at the University of the Free State, but did not complete his studies. He began working in the film industry as an assistant photographer - camera and stills.
Towards the end of 1991 he was cast in the lead role as Johann Vorster in Egoli. At the end of the first season he once again opted to return to life behind the cameras, doing documentaries and TV adverts. He later specialised in children's portraits.
From 2000 until his death in 2025, Phillip lived in the small coastal village of Oysterbay, tucked away in the Tzitzikama along the Garden Route. He disliked the spotlight but loved open spaces, fishing, afternoon naps, braais, chats around a fire, watching rugby and eating sosaties.
He loved listening to the music of Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Verdi and Paul McCartney.
Phillip died at home in Oysterbay on 5 November, 2025, due to bleeding on the brain, having had chest pains and a heart bypass operation earlier in the year. He was 63.