Jan Jaap van der Wal
Dutch stand-up comedian and television presenter
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Jan Jaap van der Wal (born 1 November 1979) is a Dutch stand-up comedian, cabaret performer and television presenter. He is known both in the Netherlands and in Flanders, Belgium for his television appearances and theatre shows.[1]
- Television presenter
- comedian
- cabaret performer
Jan Jaap van der Wal | |
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Jan Jaap van der Wal (2010) | |
| Born | 1 November 1979 Leeuwarden, Netherlands |
| Occupations |
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Career
Television
He is known as team captain in Dit was het nieuws, the Dutch adaptation of the BBC show Have I Got News for You, and as one of the jury members of the Belgian quiz show De Slimste Mens ter Wereld.[2][3] Van der Wal was also a contestant in the De Slimste Mens ter Wereld in 2016 and in 2025.[3][4]
In Belgium, Van der Wal presented the satirical news show De ideale wereld for four years.[1][5] He previously appeared as sidekick in the show.[6] He succeeded Otto-Jan Ham as presenter and Ella Leyers succeeded him as presenter of the show.[7][8] In 2023, he presented the late night show Jan Jaap op zondag.[9] The show ended after disappointing viewing figures.[9]
Van der Wal did an oudejaarsconference in 2007 and in 2009, respectively titled Onderbewust and Lekker hard lachen met oliebollen.[10] He had appearances in the talk shows RTL Late Night and Café Corsari.[11]
Cabaret
Van der Wal is cabaret performer in the Netherlands and in Belgium.[12][13] He performed multiple comedy and carabet shows, including Dystopia (2014), De Nieuwe Belg (2015) and Mijn vlakke land (2024, 2025).[12][13][14] In some of his shows he talks about the differences and similarities between both countries.[13][15]
Film
In 2014, he starred in the film The Happy Sad Route (and a Comedian) in which he travels through former Yugoslavia.[16] The film was directed by Linda Hakeboom and won the best film award at the 2014 Friars Club Comedy Film Festival.[16]
Personal life
Selected filmography (in the Netherlands)
The filmography below lists appearances on Dutch television.
As team captain
As contestant / guest
- College Tour (2007)
- 5 jaar later (2014)
Selected filmography (in Belgium)
The filmography below lists appearances on Belgian television.
As presenter
- De ideale wereld
- Jan Jaap op zondag
As jury member
- De Slimste Mens ter Wereld (2017 – present)
As contestant / guest
- De Slimste Mens ter Wereld (2016, 2025)
