William Vanderpuye

William Vanderpuye, also known as Will Vanderpuye or Will Vanders, is a British actor, broadcaster, writer, voice-over artist and producer. He played Zoomer and a cast of thousands in the BBC animation series Rastamouse and appeared as "Kobi" in the Bafta nominated BBC series Apple Tree House which he co-created, co wrote and co-produced. He is the grandson of Jacob Sylvanus Bruce-Vanderpuye, a Barrister-at-Law, Djastse and Ga Mantse (Paramount Chief) of The Otubluhun Stool, Jamestown, Accra, Ghana, formerly the British colony of the Gold Coast. The titles are hereditary, although not used by Vanderpuye or his father William Wallace Bruce-Vanderpuye Snr. The Bruce "Clan" (Nanka Bruce) are an aristocratic Ghanaian family with a pedigree tracing back to King Robert the Bruce of Scotland. The Vanderpuyes are Kings of Elmina dating back to Jacobus Vanderpuye (1780), a nobleman and Dutch Governor-General of the region at St George's Castle Elmina. Vanderpuye has had a long career consisting of many leading theatrical roles and supporting characters in British films and television programs. He is also a sportscaster, covering combat sports such as kickboxing and mixed martial arts. Acting Vanderpuye studied at the Corona Theater-Academy with Nicholas Lyndhurst and Ray Winstone and took exams at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. In 1971, he had his first role at the age of eight in the film Melody, written by Alan Parker and produced by David Putnam. He went on to work extensively with iconic British director Alan Clarke during the late 70s and 80s.