He is the oldest child of Cornelis Reinier van Kooten en Anna Geertruida Snaauw.

Their collaboration had started in the Dalton Lyceum high school in The Hague, where they had formed a theater group named Cebrah.

Van Kooten has written some 47 books, including novels, short story and poetry collections, and autobiographical material.

He often wrote under a wide variety of pseudonyms, including Koot, Jan Blommers, Hans van Dek, Tj.

Among his better-known works are: Van Kooten has received many awards for his television shows and writing, individually and with de Bie.