S Waldy

Waldemar Caerel Hunter (15 December 1919 – 1968), best known by his stage name S Waldy, was an Indonesian stage and film actor.

Waldy was born in Blitar, in Java, on 15 December 1919 and was one of fourteen children born to J. R. Hunter (also known as Osman) and L. W. Winterberg who were of English and German descent, respectively. Both were stage actors with the Sri Permata Opera, and often traveled. Interested in theatre, he ran away from his elementary school in Yogyakarta to join a troupe in Klaten, under the leadership of Djafar Wirjo.

Although Waldy was taken as a porter, Wirjo taught him stage techniques as well. Waldy's parents ultimately decided to support his career and help him learn to lead a cabaret. In the early 1930s, Waldy joined a variety of troupes, including Faroka Opera and Grand Nooran Opera. He toured the Maritime Southeast Asia, reaching Siam and the Malay Peninsula, and further refined his craft with the input of actors such as Rd Ismail. In 1938, he attempted to establish his own troupe. Named Vaudeville, it was unsuccessful and quickly folded.

In 1940, Waldy was approached to act in Zoebaida, a film directed by Njoo Cheong Seng for Oriental Film. He accepted the role, and also served as songwriter for the film. Over the next three years he took a variety of film roles for Star Film, including Ajah Berdosa, Lintah Darat, Tjioeng Wanara, and Pah Wongso Tersangka (all 1941).

After the Japanese occupation began in March 1942, most studios were closed. Waldy migrated back to the stage, first joining Djawa Baru before establishing his own troupe, starring Dewi Mada. By the mid-1940s he had met Sofia, an actress with the Fifi Young troupe; the two were married by 1948.

...
Wikipedia