According to an interview she gave when Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994) was first published, Rutger Hauer was Anne Rice 's original vision for Lestat when the book was being written. Despite a popular rumor that Julian Sands was her first choice, he didn't even begin to show up in films or TV till 1982, so Rice couldn't have been aware of him in 1976 when she was writing the book; Rutger has been acting since 1968. Rice may have said Sands would be great for the part when they were casting the film, because she has said that by the time the film was being made Rutger Hauer was too old to play Lestat.

Both his first and last name end with the letters "er". He has appeared in 13 movies/TV-series whose title or alternative title end with "er" or "ers". He has played 8 characters whose names end with "er".

Spent five years in a pantomime company prior to seriously pursuing an acting career.

Grandfather of Leandro Maeder.

Father of Aysha Hauer

Is color blind.

He gives master classes in movie-making to students and new actors and movie makers. This takes places in Rotterdam. He has been doing this for several years.

During the late `80s and early `90s, Hauer became well known to the UK mainstream for a series of Guinness commercials where he is clad in black. He publicly took a dislike for the drink and had to spit it out after each take. His appearance is credited for an increase in sales of Guinnesses.

Has 2 children.

Son of Arend Hauer.

Former father-in-law of his Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) co-star Thomas Jane .

Director Richard Donner originally wanted to use him as the villain Marquet in Ladyhawke (1985) (1985) but Hauer turned that role down and expressed more interest in playing the film`s hero, Etienne Navarre.

Has appeared in two vampire movies with Donald Sutherland ; Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) , and `Salem`s Lot (2004) (TV) .

Parents, Arend and Teunke, operated an acting school in Amsterdam.

Set up an AIDS research foundation called the Rutger Hauer Starfish Foundation.

The Dutch Mail Service issued a stamp in 1995 with Rutger on it, taken from a scene in Turkish Delight.

Is an environmentalist. Fought for the release of Greenpeace`s co-founder, Paul Watson who was convicted in 1994 for sinking an illegal Norwegian whaling vessel. According to The Official Rutger Hauer website, the vessel was sunk in 1992 as a protest to Norway`s announced intention to return to the commercial slaughter of whales, which was to be done in violation of the International Whaling Commission`s global ban on whaling.

Wife, Ineke, whom he married in 1985, was a painter and sculptor.

Once in a Dutch production of "Hair".

Speaks fluently German (more or less accent-free)

Was Paul Verhoeven `s first choice to play RoboCop (1987).