Bio
Ernst Eloff (21 June, 1941 - 27 May, 2010) was a South African actor best known for his role as Buks Pienaar in the M-Net soap opera Egoli: Place of Gold, from 1992-2007.
His character was written out of series after his on-screen wife Elsa Pienaar (played by the late Hannah Botha) died in April 2007.
Ernst was born in Upington and grew up in Paarl. He graduated with a BA degree from the University of Stellenbosch. He joined the NTO Youth Theatre which visited schools, performing prescribed books.
He was in the first TCPA drama group when it was formed in 1963, and that of CCPA in 1964. Ernst worked on and off for all the regional councils and performed in about 280 productions and directed about 20.
He performed in many Radio and Television dramas and series and acted in 15 films. He received many awards and received the Piers Nicholsen award twice.
Ernst once had his own troupe. He broke away from the theatre in the 70's and 80's and managed the Penny Farthing Restaurant in George. He went overseas a couple of times to study the European theatre.
He died in his home in Westdene, Johannesburg on Thursday 27 May, 2010 - on the day his second leg was to be amputated. The reasons for his death have not been made public.
He enjoyed reading, classical music, cooking and gardening and was a great cat lover. He never married and was an only child.