He was born in Breukelen, the Netherlands.
In 1969 he came into the national spotlight through his lead role in the television series Floris, a Dutch Ivanhoe-like medieval action show.
From 1973 onwards he became internationally famous for starring in Paul Verhoeven films such as Turkish Delight (based on the Jan Wolkers book of the same name). Other movies he starred in include Keetje Tippel, Spetters and Soldier of Orange.
Rutger turned his attention across the ocean in 1981 when he played in the US movie Nighthawks. Better known US films he played in include Blade Runner, The Hitcher, Blind Fury, and Escape from Sobibor. Other lower budgets films that Rutger Hauer has been involved in include Split Second, set in a flooded London after global warming has taken its toll.