Paul Haenen

Acting

Paul Haenen

Born 1946-04-30 · Amstelveen, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Paul Haenen is a Dutch writer, actor, voice actor, playwright, comedian, journalist and tv-host. Haenen is famous for providing the voices of Bert, Grover and other minor characters on Sesamstraat, the Dutch co-production of Sesame Street, since Sesamstraat's first season in 1976.

Acting credits

Hedy D'Ancona: Het Persoonlijke is Politiek poster
NR

Documentary about the work and life of Hedy d'Ancona (1937) and the issues she has always championed: women's rights, the right to self-determination, and a dignified end of life. Interviews with D'Ancona are interwoven with scenes of women who, in 2022, are committed to the same themes, such as abortion activist Eva de Goeij, PvdA alderwoman Marjolein Moorman, and euthanasia advocate Adrienne Buschmann. The fight for equality remains relevant, and D'Ancona's ideas are still worth fighting for.

Hedy D'Ancona: Het Persoonlijke is Politiek

2022

Miss Minoes poster
6.7

A cat who turns into a young woman helps a journalist protect their town from a factory boss with an evil plan.

Miss Minoes

2001

The Dragon That Wasn't (Or Was He?) poster
7.1

Oliver B. Bumble finds an egg that, it turns out, has a cute little dragon in it. However, this dragon grows huge each time it gets excited or upset. As this causes a lot of problems, Bumble has to face a difficult dilemma.

The Dragon That Wasn't (Or Was He?)

1983

80 jaar, reeds - op de T bij Wim Schippers poster
NR

An ode to multi-talented artist and radio and television producer Wim T. Schippers by absurdist Ronald Snijders. In a cheerfully disruptive manner, Snijders guides the viewer through a richly illustrated overview of Schippers' work, where they meet the man who could both seduce and intentionally bore, confuse, shock, and irritate Dutch television viewers. Many clips of Schippers became legendary, such as Queen Juliana cleaning Brussels sprouts, a naked Phil Bloom reading the newspaper, and the shows featuring Barend Servet and Sjef van Oekel. Schippers wrote the sheepdog play Going to the Dogs and has been the voice of Ernie in Sesamstraat for many years.

80 jaar, reeds - op de T bij Wim Schippers

2022

De Kunst van het Vrij Zijn poster
NR

The Art of Being Free follows a moving conversation between Dutch TV icon Paul Haenen (77) and writer Lale Gül (27), who connect over their shared fight for personal and artistic freedom. Inspired by each other's books, they reflect on themes of identity, religion, family, autonomy, and being role models. Haenen, openly gay since 1964, and Gül, who challenged conservative Islam in 2021, explore what it means—and costs—to live freely. Directed by Hester Overmars, this tender and timely documentary is a powerful dialogue on courage, expression, and the human need for authenticity.

De Kunst van het Vrij Zijn

2025

Annelie in the Depths of the Night poster
NR

A young girl called Annetje Lie is staying with her grandmother for an undisclosed period after her father unceremoniously dropped her off and left. At night, Annetje disappears into a dream world in which her friend the Moon transports her back to her elderly home. There she gets into all sorts of nightmarish adventures with the King of Mice and the mysterious Heintje Vaar. Meanwhile, her grandmother is beginning to suspect Annetje might be seriously ill.

Annelie in the Depths of the Night

2004

Behind the camera