A beloved sitcom star has passed away at the age of just 61 after battling a series of health issues in recent years.
Dutch actress Esther Roord spent her final days in the Sarphatihuis nursing home in her hometown of Amsterdam. Her exact cause of death hasn’t yet been made public knowledge. She died on Wednesday, March 25.
The sad news was confirmed to Dutch publication De Telegraaf by her caregiver, Birgitta Vereecke.
Roord had numerous notable acting credits over the years, with her role as Sonja Wegeman in the sitcom “Kees & Co.” from 1997 until 2006 being her most famous.
Per IMDb, she appeared in the likes of the 1996 comedy movie “Dying to Go Home” and the 2006 television movie “Dubbel op!” Regarding television shows, she also appeared in single episodes of shows like drama series “Hartslag,” crime thriller “Baantjer,” and sitcom “M’n dochter en ik.”
Tributes have been pouring in for the star on social media.
Esther Roord’s Fans Say She Passed Away ‘Far Too Young’
The official Instagram account of news and lifestyle platform Linda posted about Esther Roord’s passing.
It shows a picture of Roord with news of her death overlayed onto it in Dutch. The translated caption on the post reads, “Sad news: actress Esther Roord has died at the age of 61. She became known to the general public as neighbor Sonja in “Kees & Co,” where she managed to capture the hearts of viewers for years. Behind the scenes, she had a rough time in recent years due to her health, but according to those around her, she stayed warm and positive until the end.”
The comments section is full of people expressing their sadness and paying their respects to Roord.
One user wrote (translated), “”Oh no!”, was the first thing I just shouted out loud. 😔 How incredibly sad and far too young! This woman gave me so many laughs on Kees & Co! She played her character Sonja so wonderfully! ❤️ I am 35, almost 36, but she contributed so much to so many moments of laughter and fun in the 90s. 😔✨️ Sending much strength to everyone who loved her. ❤️✨️”
Someone else said (translated), “How terrible, we still watch Kees & Co regularly here at home! Sending much strength to the bereaved ❤️.”
Another user commented (translated), “So sad 😪 I’m immediately watching Kees en co again. I always hoped so much that the old cast would get together again someday, but now that will truly never happen again. Rest in peace dear Esther. My condolences to all loved ones 🌹🙏🙏💕.”
That’s far from the only post about Roord’s passing.
More Fans Hail ‘Amazing’ Roord
Another post about Esther Roord’s passing came on the official Instagram account of Dutch chat show RTL Boulevard.
This one features a picture of Roord with the date of her birth and death overlayed on it. The translated caption on it reads, “Actress Esther Roord has passed away. She became best known as neighbor Sonja in the comedy series Kees & Co. Esther was 61 years old.”
Upset fans also had their say on Roord’s passing in the comments section of this one.
One fan commented (translated), “So enjoyed how amazing a role she had in the series Kees en co… wishing her much strength to the bereaved 😢 rest in peace 😢.”
Another one said (translated), “Oh no!! 😢 She was amazing as Sonja in Kees & Co, always laughed so hard at her! RIP Esther… way too young!”
Finally, somebody else wrote (translated), “I used to enjoy the series Kees & Co so much, especially Esther. Rest in peace! 🩵.”
Following Esther Roord’s death, it was revealed she had nobly chosen to donate her body to science.
We send our heartfelt condolences to Esther Roord’s family and friends at this difficult time. May she rest in eternal peace.
