Actor Joris Willem Smit, known for his leading role in the musical Willem van Oranje, welcomed his second child, a son named Lev, on Friday, February 6, 2026. The news was shared by Smit during an appearance on “Tijd voor MAX” on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
The timing of the birth is notable, coinciding closely with the premiere of the Willem van Oranje musical, which took place on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Smit plays the title role in the production, which is currently being staged at the Prinsentheater in Delft.
“Lev is a modest nod to the production, because it means lion in Russian,” Smit explained, noting his wife, Evgenia Brendes, has Russian and Belgian heritage. He also recounted a humorous moment when the due date – February 8th – appeared on a printout from his gynecologist, prompting initial concern given the premiere date. “We thought: we’ll see what happens, you have no influence on it.”
Smit and Brendes are also parents to a daughter, Lola, who was born in 2022.
The musical Willem van Oranje utilizes advanced stagecraft, including projections of battle scenes and buildings on large LED screens, and features a rotating audience platform similar to the production Soldaat van Oranje. The show explores the life of William of Orange, a key figure in the Eighty Years’ War and considered the “Father of the Fatherland” in the Netherlands. The innovative apply of immersive technology in theatrical productions demonstrates a growing trend of blending historical narratives with cutting-edge digital experiences.
