Celebrities
‘Egoli’ and ‘Binnelanders’ actor Phillip Henn’s cause of death revealed
South Africans are mourning the death of veteran actor and photographer Phillip Henn, who passed away on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, at the age of 63.
Henn, best known for his memorable roles in the popular Afrikaans soapies Egoli and Binnelanders, reportedly died at his home in Tsitsikamma, Eastern Cape. His passing comes after what relatives described as a brief but serious health struggle.
According to TVSA, the actor suffered a bleeding in the brain, which ultimately led to his death.
Reports revealed that Henn had fallen on Sunday, 2 November, at a house in Oesterbaai, before being rushed to a hospital in Gqeberha for treatment.
His sister, Jeanne Henn, told the media that the actor had been experiencing a series of attacks in the days leading up to his passing.
She explained that her brother had been dealing with complications caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain.
“He had some sort of attacks over the previous ten days due to a lack of oxygen to the brain,” Jeanne reportedly shared.
The beloved actor had also undergone a nine-hour heart bypass surgery in May 2024 but continued to stay active in the entertainment industry afterward.
Throughout his career, Phillip Henn became a familiar face on South African television, portraying Johann Vorster in Egoli, Chris van Deventer in Binnelanders, and Eben Swanepoel in Suidooster.
He also appeared in Kelders van Geheime and worked alongside the late Binnelanders star Bradley Olivier and actor Francois Lensley.
Beyond acting, Henn was an accomplished photographer and author, having released his debut novel 500 Myl in 2019.
Entertainment journalist Thinus Ferreira confirmed the news of Henn’s passing on X (formerly Twitter), noting that the star was 63 years old at the time of his death.
Fans and colleagues have since taken to social media to share heartfelt tributes, celebrating his contribution to South Africa’s entertainment landscape and remembering him as a gifted storyteller both on and off the screen.
