Huub Christopher Smit, known professionally as Huub Smit, is a prominent Dutch actor and theatermaker who captured international attention for playing Richard Batsbak in the comedy franchise New Kids. Born on July 16, 1978, in Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands, Smit has established a diverse career spanning over two decades, seamlessly transitioning from broad slapstick comedy to gritty dramatic crime series and live stage performances.
- Huub Smit: Quick Facts & Profile Summary
- Early Life, Education, and Athletic Background
- Breakthrough and the New Kids Phenomenon
- Transition to Dramatic Roles and Crime Universes
- Theater Work and Recent Projects
- Personal Life: Spouse and Kids
- Huub Smit Net Worth
- Frequently Asked Questions About Huub Smit
- How old is Huub Smit?
- Who is Huub Smit’s wife?
- How many children does Huub Smit have?
- What is Huub Smit’s height?
- What is Huub Smit most famous for?
- What is Huub Smit’s net worth?
Huub Smit: Quick Facts & Profile Summary
- Full Name: Huub Christopher Smit
- Date of Birth: July 16, 1978
- Age: 48 years old
- Place of Birth: Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
- Nationality: Dutch
- Height: 1.77 m (5 feet 10 inches)
- Occupation: Actor, Theatermaker, Director
- Spouse: Nienke Smit-Zuidweg
- Children: Two sons
- Net Worth: Approximately $2.5 million
Early Life, Education, and Athletic Background
Huub Smit grew up in the Netherlands, attending the Christiaan Huygens College in Eindhoven, and lived in areas including Best and Son en Breugel. Before pursuing acting full-time, Smit had a strong inclination toward physical activity and sports. Notably, he spent three years as a professional inline skater, competing in high-level international inline skating events.
His academic path toward the arts began when he briefly studied to become a physical education teacher. He later pivoted toward theatrical arts, enrolling at the Fontys Hogeschool voor de Kunsten in Tilburg from 2004 to 2008. He graduated from its Academie voor Drama as a Docerend Theatermaker, a qualification blending formal stage performance with education and theatrical direction.
Breakthrough and the New Kids Phenomenon
Smit’s professional career kicked off in experimental television with projects like De Pulpshow in 2001. However, his defining breakthrough arrived in 2007 when he collaborated with creators Steffen Haars and Flip van der Kuil to launch the comedy sketch series New Kids.
Playing the aggressive, iconic Brabantian hang-around Richard Batsbak across 35 episodes, Smit became a fixture of Dutch popular culture. The television success led to two massive feature films:
- New Kids Turbo (2010): A box-office smash that surpassed one million admissions within seven weeks, earning Golden, Platinum, and Diamond Film distinctions, alongside the Rembrandt Award for Best Dutch Film in 2011.
- New Kids Nitro (2011): The equally successful sequel that earned Golden and Platinum Film awards and won the Jury Prize for Best Film at Austin Fantastic Fest.
Transition to Dramatic Roles and Crime Universes
Following the conclusion of the New Kids franchise, Smit deliberately broadened his acting repertoire beyond comedy, securing roles in hard-hitting crime dramas, action films, and thrillers. Some of his notable credits include:
- Wolf (2013)
- Riphagen (2016)
- Smeris
- Penoza
- The East (2020)
Smit gained further mainstream recognition through his involvement in the popular Netflix-associated Undercover crime universe. He portrayed Dennis de Vries in the hit series Undercover and reprised his role in the spin-off films and series, including Ferry: The Series (2023) and Ferry 2 (2024).
Theater Work and Recent Projects
Despite his heavy screen commitments, Huub Smit remains deeply dedicated to live theater. He was an active member of the theater collective De Bloem van de Natie. In recent years, he teamed up with actor Gürkan Küçüksentürk to star in the theatrical production Zei je dat echt?, a comedy-infused stage show exploring communication breakdowns and human vulnerability.
His television presence continued into 2026 with appearances in new screen productions like Alpha 00 and Bovensloters, alongside competing as a contestant on the popular KRO-NCRV quiz show De Slimste Mens.
Personal Life: Spouse and Kids
Huub Smit is married to Nienke Smit-Zuidweg, and together they share two sons. Known for keeping his personal life away from the relentless glare of tabloids, Smit rarely discusses his marriage or children in public interviews, preferring to let his professional body of work speak for itself.
Outside of his artistic endeavors, Smit is actively involved in philanthropy, serving as an ambassador for the Dutch foundation Stichting No Guts, No Glory, which supports terminally ill individuals and musical wishes.
Huub Smit Net Worth
As of 2026, Huub Smit’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $2.5 million. His wealth stems from a successful, multi-decade career spanning blockbuster cinematic franchises, high-profile television series, commercial endorsements (including campaigns for Bavaria, Pearle, and Essent), and ongoing theatrical tours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Huub Smit
How old is Huub Smit?
Huub Smit was born on July 16, 1978. He is 48 years old.
Who is Huub Smit’s wife?
Huub Smit is married to Nienke Smit-Zuidweg.
How many children does Huub Smit have?
He has two sons with his wife, Nienke.
What is Huub Smit’s height?
Huub Smit stands at 1.77 meters (5 feet 10 inches) tall.
What is Huub Smit most famous for?
He is best known for playing Richard Batsbak in the comedy franchise New Kids and for his role as Dennis de Vries in the Undercover and Ferry crime series.
What is Huub Smit’s net worth?
His estimated net worth is around $2.5 million.
