Belgian Actors & Actresses
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Cecile de France was born in Namur in Belgium in 1975 and discovered her vocation at the early age of six. As soon as she was seventeen, she was off to Paris with the ambition of beginning a career on the stage. She studied drama with Jean-Paul Denizon, actor and assistant to Peter Brook, before being admitted to the Ecole National Supérieure des Arts et Techniques du Théâtre, where she complemented her preparatory training with classes in fencing, dance, singing and masque.
Hardly had she graduated than the cinema snapped her up. It was none other than Richard Berry himself who offered her her first important role in L'art (délicat) de la seduction. Theatre and film roles followed aplenty, leading up to L'Auberge Espagnole (Potluck or Spanish Apartment in English speaking countries), where her performance as the character Isabelle was a huge success with the public and earned her a prestigious César award for most promising young actress as well as the Prix Louis Lumière. Two years later the sequel, Les Poupées russes (The Russian Dolls), brought her a César for best supporting actress. The next Klapisch's movie, Casse-tête chinois (Chinese Puzzle), will be out on December 4, 2013 for France.
On film Cecile de France continued to give her all with Alexandre Aja's horror movie Haute Tension (High Tension or Switchblade Romance in English-speaking countries). This gave her the opportunity to bring genre cinema into her repertoire, as well as to win the hearts and minds of the most demanding film buffs.
Gilles Jacob invited her to host the legendary Cannes Film Festival in 2005. Cecile de France's unquenchable, vital passion for acting has found its truest expression when playing opposite such great performers as Gerard Depardieu (Quand j'étais chanteur; When I Was a Singer), Ulrich Tukur (Où est la main de l'homme sans tête?; Hand of the Headless Man), Kad Merad (Superstar) and Jean Dujardin (Möbius) or when working with such major figures of French film as Etienne Chatiliez, Daniele Thompson, Claude Miller, Cedric Klapisch, Claude Chabrol and the Dardenne brothers.
Her American career, which was launched in Around the World in 80 Days alongside Jackie Chan, recently entered a new phase in 2009 with Clint Eastwood's Hereafter.
Cecile is ready to live out all the forms of human passion and to embrace the most diverse forms of cinema, providing they are demanding, creative and stimulating. However, she has always maintained a special love for the theater, she will play in a new reading of Anna, a Serge Gainsbourg's musical at Lyon and Paris in few months.- Tania Garbarski is known for Rashevski's Tango (2003), Les tribulations d'une caissière (2011) and Quartier lointain (2010).
- Lubna Azabal was born on 15 August 1973 in Brussels, Belgium. She is an actress, known for Incendies (2010), Coriolanus (2011) and Body of Lies (2008).
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Marie Gillain was born on 18 June 1975 in Liège, Wallonia, Belgium. She is an actress and director, known for Coco Before Chanel (2009), Elective Affinities (1996) and Mon père, ce héros. (1991).- Actress
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Émilie Dequenne was born on 29 August 1981 in Beloeil, Wallonia, Belgium. She is an actress, known for Rosetta (1999), Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001) and Our Children (2012). She has been married to Michel Ferracci since 11 October 2014.- Actress
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The daughter of a police officer and a social worker and the middle of three siblings, Déborah François was cast by the Dardenne brothers in L'enfant in 2005 while she was in high school. Between the ages of 10 to 16 François had taken acting classes but she did not expect to make acting her career. L'enfant won the Palme d'Or in Cannes 2005 and François was praised for her sensitive portrayal of Sonia, the young mother of the film.
Déborah François returned to Cannes in 2006 for the presentation of The Page Turner in Un Certain Regard category. The film's director, Denis Dercourt, who is also a musician, commented "I used to teach music to child prodigies, and Déborah reminds me of those; she's a child prodigy." In 2008 she received a César for Most Promising Actress for The First Day of the Rest of Your Life in which she played the teenage daughter of a family.
François's early promise has see her make many films since that display her talent and versatility. Presently she lives in Paris and is engaged to Victor, a director of photography.- Actress
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Héléna Noguerra was born on 18 May 1969 in Brussels, Belgium. She is an actress and director, known for Heartbreaker (2010), Alleluia (2014) and Les filles, personne s'en méfie (2002).- Actress
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Virginie Efira was born on 5 May 1977 in Brussels, Belgium. She is an actress and writer, known for Elle (2016), Benedetta (2021) and Victoria (2016). She was previously married to Patrick Ridremont.- Actress
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Natacha Régnier was born on 11 April 1972 in Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium. She is an actress, known for Criminal Lovers (1999), The Dreamlife of Angels (1998) and The Benefit of the Doubt (2017).- Actress
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Marie Kremer was born on 15 April 1982 in Uccle, Belgium. She is an actress and director, known for Caché (2005), I Always Wanted to Be a Saint (2003) and Un village français (2009). She has been married to Bruno Debrandt since 2012. They have one child.- Actress
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Yolande Moreau was born on 27 February 1953 in Brussels, Belgium. She is an actress and director, known for When the Sea Rises (2004), Amélie (2001) and Seraphine (2008).- Born in April 9, 1996 in Mons, Belgium, Pauline Burlet started taking drama lessons at the age of five. She was discovered by Olivier Dahan at the age of nine, who chose her to be the young Édith Piaf in his film La Vie En Rose (2007), playing the young version of Marion Cotillard's character.
With her role in Dead Man Talking (2012) by Patrick Ridremont, she was nominated for a Magritte Award in Belgium for Most Promising Actress.
In 2013, she starred in Asghar Farhadi's The Past (2013), playing Lucie, the teenage and rebel daughter of Bérénice Bejo's character. For her role in this film, Pauline won a Magritte Award for Most Promising Actress in 2014.
In 2014, she played Lili Franchet, the lead of the mini-series Résistance (2014) in France. - Actress
Lyne Renée (real name Line van Wambeke, born 17 May 1979) is a Belgian actress.
She graduated from the Studio Herman Teirlick in Antwerp, Belgium. From 2003 to 2005, she worked as a stage actress in Belgian theaters, and then starred in the Belgian TV series Kinderen van Dewindt and the Dutch film Ober, by Alex van Warmerdam. In 2006 she moved to Los Angeles and appeared in the movies The Box Collector (2008) and The Hessen Affair (2009). The latter is a film noir, the plot of which takes place in US-occupied Germany right after the end of World War II. In it, Renée plays a femme fatale, the driving force behind a jewelry heist.
In 2011 she moved to London, where she starred in The River Line at the Jermyn Street Theatre. She also appeared in the TV series Strike Back and Parade's End.
In 2016, she had a recurring role on the ABC series Of Kings and Prophets as the Witch of Endor, appeared in the miniseries Madoff as Catherine Hooper, fiancee of Andrew Madoff, and had a role in the thriller Split. Then in 2017, she appeared in the second season of the PBS series Mercy Street as well as the film The Hippopotamus. In 2019, she had another major film role, in Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen.- Actress
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Veerle Baetens studied Musical Theatre at the "Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts" in Brussels. After this she had roles in theatre and then started her TV career for VTM.
In 2005 she won the "John Kraaijkamp Musical Award" for her role in the theatre version of Pippi Longstocking. And in 2008 she won awards for her performance of "Sara" (the Flemish version of the TV show Ugly Betty). After this TV show ended she starred in the movie Loft. Then another big role came as Hannah Maes in the TV show "Code 37" where she played the tough police chief. This show lasted for 3 seasons.
In 2012 she started her own band together with friend Sandrine called "Dallas" and the album "Take it All" came out in 2012. Another album that Veerle was part of was the movie soundtrack of "The Broken Circle Breakdown" where she played the role of Elise, a woman who loses her daughter.
She and her boyfriend Geert have a daughter (2008) and live in Belgium.- Director
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Chantal Akerman was born on 6 June 1950 in Brussels, Belgium. She was a director and writer, known for The Meetings of Anna (1978), I, You, He, She (1974) and A Couch in New York (1996). She was married to Sonia Wieder-Atherton. She died on 5 October 2015 in Paris, France.- Barbara Sarafian was born on April 16, 1968, in Ghent, Belgium. Her father was a half-Armenian painter, and her mother was a painter and teacher at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent. She was raised bilingual in French and Flemish/Dutch. She studied at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Antwerp and at Parallax in Brussels.
At first she was known as "Sonja Duplex", her alter ego on the radio show "De Lieve Lust" on 'Studio Brussel'.
Her first appearance in a feature film was in the short film "Pasta!" Very shortly after that, she started an international career with "CQ", directed by Roman Coppola, and "Fortress 2 - Re-Entry", directed by Geoff Murphy. In 1999 she starred in her first big role in Peter Greenaway's "8 ½ Women" as Clothilde.
She took a sabbatical for a few years to raise her son.
In 2008, Sarafian starred in Christophe Van Rompaey's "Moscow, Belgium" as Matty, a 41-year-old mother of three surviving her husband's mid-life crisis and falling in love with Johnny, a much younger truckdriver. Her powerful performance in the role won her awards at numerous festivals, including two awards for best actress. In the USA, newspapers wrote about Barbara Sarafian turning in "an Oscar-caliber performance".
Subsequently, she appeared convincingly in "SM-rechter", "Saint", "Zot van A." and "Marieke, Marieke"; for the latter, she was nominated for best actress in a supporting role.
In 2011 she starred in the role of Eva Forrestier in Michael Roskam's "Rundskop" (Bullhead) along with Matthias Schoenaerts.
Between 2012 and 2015, she played starring and supporting roles in "Allez, Eddy", "Emmenez-Moi", "Hemel", "Billy the Bully" and "Brasserie Romantiek". For her role in "Brasserie Romantiek" she won the Ensor Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Most recently she has starred in Nic Balthazar's "Everybody Happy" as Laura Maris and as Marianne in Christophe Van Rompaey's "Vincent". For the latter film she won the 2016 Boccalino d'Oro Award for Best Actress.
Besides her work on the big screen, she has a comprehensive palmares in television series and shows. She plays main roles in i.a. "Dubbelleven", "Vossenstreken" , "Clan (The Out-Laws)" and "In Vlaamse Velden". For her role in "in Vlaamse velden" she won a TV star for Best Actress. Her main supporting roles were in "Zone Stad", "Kiekens", "Aspe" and "Professor T". She has also starred in sketch and comedy shows such as "achter de feiten", "Tegen de sterren op" and "Wat als?".
Barbara Sarafian has also played some acclaimed roles in theatre. Her remarkable performances were in i.a. 'Uniroyal', 'Alles van Eva (All about Eve)' and 'Closer'. Sarafian will be playing in Gilles Coulier's "Cargo", ..."Wij", and the TV series "Beau Séjour", "De Infiltrant" and "De Dag". - Natacha Amal was born on 4 September 1968 in Brussels, Belgium. She is an actress, known for Napoléon (2002), Gialloparma (1999) and Dans la cour des grands (1995). She has been married to Jacques Stival since 18 September 2015. She was previously married to Claude Rappe.
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Virginie de Clausade was born on 22 April 1981 in Paris, France. She is an actress and producer, known for Commissariat Bastille (2001), Les rois mages (2001) and Foon (2005).- Actress
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Marie Kremer was born on 15 April 1982 in Uccle, Belgium. She is an actress and director, known for Caché (2005), I Always Wanted to Be a Saint (2003) and Un village français (2009). She has been married to Bruno Debrandt since 2012. They have one child.- Actress
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Anne Coesens was born in 1968 in Brussels, Belgium. She is an actress and writer, known for Illégal (2010), All Cats Are Grey (2014) and 9mm (2008).- Actress
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Hande Kodja was born on 6 February 1984 in Brussels, Belgium. She is an actress and writer, known for The Bureau (2015), Music Hole (2021) and One Man's Loss (2014).- Ingrid Vandebosch was born on 8 November 1970 in Zichen-Zussen-Bolder, Belgium. She is an actress, known for Taxi (2004), Going Greek (2001) and The Insider (2004). She has been married to Jeff Gordon since 7 November 2006. They have two children.
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Catherine Salée is known for Blue Is the Warmest Colour (2013), Two Days, One Night (2014) and Keeper (2015).- Actress
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Pauline Etienne was born on 26 June 1989 in Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium. She is an actress and director, known for The Nun (2013), Qu'un seul tienne et les autres suivront (2009) and Lost Paradise (2012).- Actress
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Ivana Noa is known for Fictional Characters (2018), Unofficial: Judo (2015) and Feeling to Dive and Other Stories (2014).- Julie Bernard was born on 1 January 1980 in Belgium. She is an actress, known for Nothing to Declare (2010), Yves Saint Laurent (2014) and La jouissance.
- Stéphanie Crayencour was born on 2 December 1983 in Uccle, Brussels, Belgium. She is an actress, known for Les Mythos (2011), Emma Peeters (2018) and The African Doctor (2016).
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Virginie Hocq was born on 26 February 1975 in Nivelles, Belgium. She is an actress and writer, known for Le grand restaurant (2010), Someone, Somewhere (2019) and Funcorp (2017).- Actress
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Annie Cordy was born on 16 June 1928 in Brussels, Belgium. She was an actress, known for Memories (2014), Le Chat (1971) and Le chanteur de Mexico (1956). She was married to Henri Bruno. She died on 4 September 2020 in Vallauris, Alpes-Maritimes, France.- Actress
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Viktoe Lazlo (real name Sonia Dronier) was born in Lorient, France to English mother from Grenada and French father from Martinique. She attended Europe-school in Bruxelles, Belgium majoring in the study of Art History and Archaeology. She works as a photo model and singer and speaks English, French, Dutch, German, and Italian. She used to dance jazz and ballet and used to play the violin.- Actress
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Alexandra Vandernoot is a Belgian actress of Yugoslavian descent. To English-speaking audiences she is primarily known for portraying Tessa Noël, the first lover and confidant of immortal protagonist Duncan MacLeod in the fantasy series "Highlander: The Series" (1992-1998). Vandernoot was a regular cast member in all season 1 episodes and the first four episodes of season 2, but then departed the series for personal reasons. She has since had regular roles in many French-speaking television series and mini-series, such as the comedy-drama series "Station Horizon" (2015).
In 1965, Vandernoot was born in Brussels. Her father was André Vandernoot (1927-1991), an award-winning music conductor. He also served as the artistic director for various orchestras, and for the opera house La Monnaie. Vandernoot's mother was Dusanka Sifnios (1933-2016), a Yugoslavian ballerina and choreographer with an international career. Sifnios had served as the muse of choreographer Maurice Béjart (1927-2007) during the 1960s, and was the first person to perform Béjart's ballet version of Maurice Ravel's "Boléro".
Vandernoot studied drama at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels .She started her film career in the 1980s, but was often limited to minor roles. Among her few notable film roles was the period film "The Supper" (1992), which depicted the private meeting of a politician with the scheming diplomat Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (1754-1838). Taleyrand was famous for serving leaders of four different French regimes, and for his betrayal of his supposed masters. Vandernoot portrayed Dorothea von Biron, Duchess of Dino (1793-1862), the favorite niece and alleged mistress of Talleyrand.
Vandernoot's first major role in a television production was that of Tessa Noël in "Highlander: The Series" . Her character was depicted as a French antique dealer, professional sculptor, and professional illustrator. Tessa was the long-term lover and business partner of immortal Duncan MacLeod, and one of the few peoples aware of his immortality and the struggles which he faced with rival immortals. She was also aware that he was destined to outlive her, and that he was sterile and unable to produce children with her. Tessa tended to remind Duncan that he was not omnipotent, and that the he was not solely responsible for the safety of the world.
While the role of Tessa made Vandernoot famous for a while, she found the work schedule of the series to be exhausting. "Highlander" had twice as many episodes per season as the average European television series, and she had to appear in all of them. Shootings for the series took place in two different series: Vancouver, Canada and Paris, France. This required Vandernoot to spend several months in Canada, where she had no family or friends. She found herself missing her family, and she requested to leave the series in order to re-establish contact with them. The producers and writers quickly developed a death scene for Tessa. Having already survived encounters with several dangerous foes over the previous episodes, Tessa is eventually ambushed and killed by a random mugger. Her death continued to haunt Duncan for the entire duration of the series.
Following her return to Europe, Vandernoot started a long-term with Bernard Uzan. Uzan was a French director and screenwriter. They had their first son, Léo in 1995. Their daughter Julia was born in 2003. Vandernoot eventually returned to "Highlander" for guest star appearances. She initially played a villain impersonating Tessa, and later an alternate reality version of Tessa. To Vandernoot's reported surprise, her character remained highly popular with the series' audience. This led to her guest appearances in the series, and also to Vandernoot's appearances in fan conventions.
Vandernoot had the supporting role of Christine Brochant in the box-office hit "The Dinner Game" (1998). Her character was the wife of Parisian publisher Pierre Brochant (played by Thierry Lhermitte). During her husband's brief association with a supposedly foolish civil servant, Brochant's new friend accidentally reveals to Christine that her husband has a mistress. This comedy was the top-grossing French film of 1998. It has inspired four different remakes.
During the 2010s, Vandernoot had several theatrical roles. She appeared in new plays by (among others) Bernard Uzan, Francis Vener, Éric Le Roch, and Alil Vardar. She has went on theatrical tours to perform her various notable roles. Vandernoot has kept working into the 2020s. By 2022, she was 57-years-old. She seems to have no plans to retire.- Actress
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Van Damme was born Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Brussels, Belgium, to Eliana and Eugène Van Varenberg, an accountant. "The Muscles from Brussels" started martial arts at the age of eleven. His father introduced him to martial arts when he saw his son was physically weak. At the age of 12, Van Damme began his martial arts training at Centre National De Karate (National Center of Karate) under the guidance of Master Claude Goetz in Ixelles, Belgium. Van Damme trained for 4 years and earned a spot on the Belgium Karate Team. He won the European professional karate association's middleweight championship as a teenager, and also beat the 2nd best karate fighter in the world. His goal was to be number one but got sidetracked when he left his hometown of Brussels. In 1976 at the age of sixteen, Jean-Claude started his Martial Arts fight career.
Over the next 6-years, he competed in both full-contact and semi-contact matches. He debuted under his birth name of Jean Claude Van Varenberg. In his first match, Jean-Claude was staggered by a round-house kick thrown by fellow countryman, Toon Van Oostrum in Brussels, Belgium. Van Damme was badly stunned, but came back to knockout Van Oostrum moments later. In 1977, at the WAKO Open International in Antwerp, Belgium, Jean-Claude lost a decision to fellow team mate Patrick Teugels in a semi-contact match. At the 1978 Challenge De Espoirs Karate Tournament (1st Trials),Jean-Claude placed 2nd in the semi-contact division. He defeated twenty-five opponents during the week long tournament, but lost in the finals to Angelo Spataro from the Naha Club. Later in 1978, Jean-Claude lost a 3-round match for the Belgium Lightweight Championship (semi-contact) to his fellow team-mate to Patrick Teugels.
In 1979, Jean-Claude traveled to the United States of America, to Tampa, Florida. In his first and only match against a United States opponent, Van Damme faced 'Sherman 'Big Train'Bergman', a kick-boxer from Miami Beach, Florida. For the first and only time in his career, Jean-Claude was knocked to the canvas after absorbing a powerful left hook from Bergman. However, Jean-Claude climbed off the canvas and with a perfectly timed ax-kick, knocked Bergman out in 56 seconds of the first round. Jean-Claude was a member of the Belgium team which competed on December 26, 1979 at the La Coupe Fancois Persoons Karate Tournament which was sanctioned by the Federation bruxelloise de Karate. Van Damme's final match victory enabled his team to win the European Team Karate Championship. In Full-Contact karate, Jean-Claude knocked out England's Micheal Heming in 46 seconds of the first round. In 1980, Van Damme knocked out France's Georges Verlugels in 2 rounds of a match fought under kick-boxing rules. Jean-Claude wanted to defeat his rival Patrick Teugels. At the Forest Nationals in Brussels, on March 8, 1980, Jean-Claude knocked Teugels down and Teugels suffered a nose injury and was unable to continue. Jean-Claude was awarded a first round victory.
Jean-Claude retired from martial arts in 1982, following a knockout over Nedjad Gharbi in Brussels,Belgium. Jean-Claude posted a 18-1 (18 knockouts) Kickboxing record, and a Semi-Contact record of 41-4. He came to Hong Kong at the age of 19 for the first time and felt insured to do action movies in Hong Kong. In 1981 Van Damme moved to Los Angeles. He took English classes while working as carpet layer, pizza delivery man, limo driver, and thanks to Chuck Norris he got a job as a bouncer at a club. Norris gave Van Damme a small role in the movie Missing in Action (1984), but it wasn't good enough to get anybody's attention. Then in 1984 he got a role as a villain named Ivan in the low-budget movie No Retreat, No Surrender (1985). Then one day, while walking on the streets, Jean-Claude spotted a producer for Cannon Pictures, and showed some of his martial arts abilities which led to a role in Bloodsport (1988). But the movie, filmed in Hong Kong, was so bad when it was completed, it was shelved for almost two years. It might have never been released if Van Damme did not help them to recut the film and begged producers to release it. They finally released the film, first in Malaysia and France and then into the U.S. Shot on a meager 1.5 million dollar budget, it became a U.S box-office hit in the spring of 1988. It made about 30 million worldwide and audiences supported this film for its new sensational action star Jean-Claude Van Damme.
His martial arts assets, highlighted by his ability to deliver a kick to an opponent's head during a leaping 360-degree turn, and his good looks led to starring roles in higher budgeted movies like Cyborg (1989), Lionheart (1990), Double Impact (1991) and Universal Soldier (1992). In 1994, he scored with his big breakthrough $100 million worldwide hit Timecop (1994). But in the meantime, his personal life was coming apart. A divorce, followed by a new marriage, followed by another divorce. It began to show up in his career when his projects began to tank at the box office - The Quest (1996), which he directed; Maximum Risk (1996) and Double Team (1997). The three films made less than $50 million combined. In 1999 he remarried his ex-wife Gladys Portugues and restarted his lost career to attain new goals. With help from his family he faced his problems and made movies like Replicant (2001), Derailed (2002), and In Hell (2003) which did averagely in box office terms, but he tried to give his fans the best, his acting in those movies got better, more emotional and each movie was basically in different action tones.- Actor
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Benoît Poelvoorde was born on 22 September 1964 in Namur, Wallonia, Belgium. He is an actor and writer, known for Man Bites Dog (1992), The Brand New Testament (2015) and Romantics Anonymous (2010).- Actor
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François Damiens was born on 17 January 1973 in Uccle, Belgium. He is an actor and director, known for Heartbreaker (2010), Delicacy (2011) and Dany (2018).- Actor
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Stéphane De Groodt was born in Brussels, Belgium on March 3, 1966. He was a professional racing driver before starting his acting career. He was a contestant at numerous races of the Spa 24 Hours such as Formule Renault, Formula 3000 and Porsche Supercup. He also received the title of Champion of Belgium at the BMW Procar Championship.
He is mostly known as the creator of the series "File dans ta chambre", a number of small episodes in which he portrays Lucien, a father who answers of a totally absurd way the questions asked by his son about a definition or expression. At the end of each episode, his son tells his father that he thought it was something else, which is the real sense or meaning. His father then orders him to go to his room because he does not believe what his son revealed.
He then had several supporting and guest roles in many films and television series. These include the films Asterix at the Olympic Games (2008) and Astérix and Obélix: God Save Britannia (2012), the series Mes amis, mes amours, mes emmerdes (2009) and Fais pas ci, fais pas ça (2007), in which actress Frédérique Bel also had a guest role in the fourth and fifth season.- Actor
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Charlie Dupont was born on 23 May 1971 in Tournai, Belgium. He is an actor and writer, known for Second Chance (2008), Odd Job (2016) and Faux Contact (1997). He has been married to Tania Garbarski since 2001. They have two children.- Grandson of a carpenter, Olivier Gourmet grew up in Mirwart, a Belgian village where his father was a cattle dealer and mother the manager of a family hotel-restaurant. At 13, he was sent to boarding school, which was an unhappy experience that led him to "be closed in on myself". It was at this school that he began acting when he replaced a classmate at short notice in the school play. He discovered a talent for mimicry and comedy. Later he was torn between a career in sports journalism or comedy. He opted for acting and comedy and attended the Conservatoire de Liège where he won first prize after only two years.
In 1996 he enjoyed his first significant role in a Dardenne brothers' film, The Promise. Since then Gourmet has featured in every film from the Dardennes. His performance in their film The Son earned him a Cannes Jury prize for interpretation in 2002. He is a much sought after actor with an extensive filmography making, on average five films per year. Internationally regarded as the one of greatest actors with staggering performances in a wide range of roles full of charismatic qualities and insights, he has also received the Critics Award at the Cannes festival in 2011 and in 2012 he was nominated in eleven categories at the Césars!
Olivier has been married to Catherine since age 19 and they have two children, Louis and Juliette. After his mother suffered a stroke, the family returned to Mirwart to manage the hotel-restaurant with Olivier's wife leaving her advertising career. - Actor
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Matthias Schoenaerts was born on December 8, 1977 in Antwerp, Belgium. His mother, Dominique Wiche, was a costume designer, translator, and French teacher, and his father was actor Julien Schoenaerts. He made his film debut at the age of 13 alongside his father in the Belgian film Daens (1992), which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Schoenaerts enrolled in film school but was expelled for poor attendance in his second year. By age 21, he was enrolled at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Antwerp and was acting professionally in small roles on Belgian television and in Belgian film. By the time he graduated in 2003, Schoenaerts was already named one of "Europe's Shooting Stars" by the influential marketing organization, European Film Promotion.
In 2002, he starred in Dorothée Van Den Berghe's directorial debut Meisje (2002), which was also his first feature film since Daens. With his role in Tom Barman's Any Way the Wind Blows (2003), he proved he was Flanders' young actor to watch.
In 2004, Schoenaerts produced and starred in the short film A Message from Outer Space (2004). He also appeared in Ellektra (2004) alongside his father.
In 2006, he had a small role as a member of the Dutch Resistance in Paul Verhoeven's Black Book (2006), and landed his first starring role in the Belgian film Dennis van Rita (2006), playing Dennis, a mentally-challenged man learning to adjust to life after a prison sentence for a rape he may not have committed.
Though Schoenaerts garnered critical praise for his role in "Love Belongs to Everyone", the film that would make him a star in his homeland came in 2008, in Erik Van Looy's Loft (2008), Schoenaerts played Filip, one of a group of married friends who share the rent on a downtown loft as a place to meet their respective mistresses. The dramatic thriller was a smash hit, becoming the top-grossing Flemish film of all time. In the same year, he also starred in the horror film Linkeroever (2008).
In 2009, he worked once again with director Dorothée Van Den Berghe, playing the hippie Raven in My Queen Karo (2009). In 2010, he played the lead role in Alex Stockman's techno-thriller Pulsar (2010).
In 2011, Schoenaerts starred in Michaël R. Roskam's Bullhead (2011), playing Jacky Vanmarsenille, a cattle farmer who becomes entangled with the underworld of bovine hormones and steroids. Impressed by the script, Schoenaerts committed to star in the film in 2005, and over the five years that it took first-time director Roskam to secure financing, the actor transformed his naturally thin body into that of a steroid-abusing brute. His powerful performance in the tragic role won awards at numerous film festivals and propelled "Bullhead" to an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012.
In 2012, Schoenaerts got the lead role opposite Marion Cotillard in Jacques Audiard's Rust and Bone (2012); in the film he played Ali, an ex-boxer who falls in love with Cotillard's character. Like Audiard's previous films, "Rust and Bone" received a breathless reception at the Cannes Film Festival with a 10-minute standing ovation at the end of its screening and was a critical and box office hit in France. Schoenaerts' performance in the film earned him a César Award for Most Promising Actor in 2013.
Schoenaerts also starred in the Belgian short film Death of a Shadow (2012), which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2013 and won the European Film Award for Best European Short.
In 2013, he starred in Blood Ties (2013) after being recommended for the film by his co-star in "Rust and Bone", Marion Cotillard. Following his breakthrough in "Rust and Bone", Matthias started a career in Hollywood and landed roles in American and British productions like Saul Dibb's Suite Française (2014), Alan Rickman's A Little Chaos (2014), Michaël R. Roskam's The Drop (2014), and Thomas Vinterberg's Far from the Madding Crowd (2015).
In 2015, Schoenaerts returned to French cinema in Alice Winocour's Disorder (2015), in which he plays an ex-soldier with PTSD. He also played one of the leads of Luca Guadagnino's A Bigger Splash (2015), opposite Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes, and played the art-dealer Hans Axgil in Tom Hooper's The Danish Girl (2015).
He will reteam with Michaël R. Roskam in Racer and the Jailbird (2017) and also with Thomas Vinterberg in The Command (2018), in which Schoenaerts will play the captain of a Russian submarine.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Jérémie Renier was born on 6 January 1981 in Brussels, Belgium. He is an actor and writer, known for In Bruges (2008), Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001) and My Way (2012).- Fabrice is an actor who was born in Zaire (Congo).
He grew up in Braine-l'Alleud, a suburban city of Brussels, Belgium in Europe. He intended to study business spending 4 years in the very known business school Solvay in Brussels which he left for a drama school, IAD (institute of the arts and the broadcasting.) He integrated the School of masters created by Franco Quadri, met Eimuntas Necrosius(Lituanian famous director) and Jacques Lassalle. He received the superior prize of the Academy of Liège with the Russian director Boris Rabei
He then moved to Paris with the busary for his first contract with Luc Besson and Patrice Leconte. Starred in "Aun" and "Carlo", the first two movies of Mickael Roskam ( Bullhead, academy award nominated ), he also worked with Guy Goossens, Jan Verheyen, Dan Cooreman ( The professionals, acclaimed in Cannes shorts festival). On the television he played in the FBI, closer protection, the Stenfort fate and we know him as Mickey, gay barman of the Melting Pot Café world broadcasted series (3 seasons on RTBF). We saw him among others supervised by Eimuntas Necrosius (The Seagull in the biennial of Venice), Olivier Py, Frédéric Dussenne, Boris Rabey
The Expatriate directed by Philipp Stölzl beside Aaron Echart (Batman, Nothing hill, Little Rabbit), he is Karim. He did a lot of different projects at the same time both in the cinema and in the theatre in Paris. He loves the Belgium connection (Geoffrey Enthoven, B Mariage, Bouli Lanners, Masset DE Passe, Dorothee Vandenberghe, Felix Vangroningen... with whom he would love to act).
He collaborated as a dancer and writer in shows of Contemporary dance (writing and dancer) in Canada and as soloist in musicals in France(Miserable, Cats, Mayflower..). Create the freezing happening in Belgium with 1500 random people and received the prize for the best movie in Los Angeles, Wim Wenders was in the jury. Emmy nominated with the series Melting Pot Café, the series won the artistically contribution in the "la Rochelle film festival in France" The taste of the challenges made him become one of the best marathon runners of its category, he will try to beat his record and be in the top 20(in his category) out of 45000 in the Marathon of Berlin and will try to buckle the 42km195 meters in 2:35. And he will be in the world games in France in 2015. - Actor
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Marc Zinga was born on 21 October 1984 in Likasi, Democratic Republic Of Congo. He is an actor and director, known for Spectre (2015), Mr. Nobody (2009) and The Mercy of the Jungle (2018).- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Bouli Lanners was born on 20 May 1965 in Moresnet-Chapelle, Belgium. He is an actor and director, known for The Giants (2011), Eldorado (2008) and The First, the Last (2016).- Actor
- Director
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Eric Godon is a Belgian actor who started his career in 2001, at the age of 41. After studying German and English linguistics and literature, he worked for 20 years in various fields before discovering his acting skills through improvisation theater. Ever since then, he has been playing in over 120 feature- and TV- films and series. His language skills represent a strong asset, that enable him to pursue an international career. Eric Godon embodies characters in French, English, German,Italian, Dutch and Russian. He is also a director , a writer, a script doctor and an acting coach- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Fabrizio Rongione was born on 3 March 1973 in Brussels, Belgium. He is an actor and producer, known for Two Days, One Night (2014), The Kid with a Bike (2011) and Le parole di mio padre (2001).- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Lucas Belvaux was born on 14 November 1961 in Namur, Wallonia, Belgium. He is an actor and director, known for Cavale (2002), Après la vie (2002) and Pas son genre (2014).- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Jonathan Zaccaï was born on 22 July 1970 in Brussels, Belgium. He is an actor and director, known for Robin Hood (2010), Private Lessons (2008) and The Bureau (2015).- Actor
- Additional Crew
Johan Leysen was born on 19 February 1950 in Hasselt, Limburg, Belgium. He was an actor, known for The American (2010), A Hidden Life (2019) and Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001). He was married to Rita Horst. He died on 30 March 2023 in France.- Actor
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Jan Bijvoet was born on 28 December 1966 in Antwerpen, Flanders, Belgium. He is an actor and composer, known for Peaky Blinders (2013), Embrace of the Serpent (2015) and The Broken Circle Breakdown (2012).- Actor
- Stunts
- Director
Filip Peeters was born on December 2, 1962 in Anderlecht, Belgium. Filip has been working in the theatre since 1987, but his roles in film and television have really brought him into the spotlight. Being fluent in German, he has been expanding his career in Germany since 2000, where his popularity rivals that in his native Belgium. Moreover, he has also appeared in several English and French speaking productions, thus establishing Filip as one of the few Flemish international actors. He is known for his work on Tangiers (2006), Die Frau vom Checkpoint Charlie (2006), Loft (2008) and Salamander (2011).- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Patrick Nicolas Jean Sixte Ghislain Bauchau was born in Brussels, Belgium. His father, Henry Bauchau, is a noted author, psychoanalyst, and philosopher, while his mother was an educator who also helped operate a publishing company. Coming from an intellectual family, it's not surprising that Bauchau won an academic scholarship to Oxford University, where he received a degree in Modern Languages. In the early '60s, Bauchau became interested in film, and worked with French filmmaker Eric Rohmer; this led to Bauchau being cast in the leading role as Adrien in Rohmer's 1967 "moral tale," La Collectionneuse. Bauchau and his fellow leading actors Haydee Politoff and Daniel Pommereulle were also credited with the film's dialogue. While this got Bauchau's acting career off to an impressive start, his naturalistic performance left many believing that Bauchau was simply playing himself. After "Tuset Street" (also released in 1967), Bauchau temporarily moved away from acting and worked with Salvador Dali constructing large pillow-like animal sculptures.
In 1980, Bauchau re-launched his film career in Robert Kramer's "Guns", and in 1982, Wim Wenders cast him in the leading role of "The State of Things". In 1984, Bauchau made his American film debut in Alan Rudolph's eccentric, romantic comedy "Choose Me", and through much of the rest of the decade he worked regularly on both sides of the Atlantic. In 1991, Bauchau scored an impressive role in Michael Tolkin's superb drama "The Rapture", and four years later the same director gave him a meaty role in "The New Age". Bauchau plays the villain the Bond flick, "A View to a Kill" and has starring roles in Entre Nous and The Music Teacher, both nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film In 1996. Bauchau was cast in the television series "Kindred: The Embraced" as a patriarch of the living dead; while the series lasted only a few weeks, it did lead to the series regular role of Sydney in "The Pretender", which debuted the same year and ran for four seasons on NBC. Bauchau's higher profile in television helped him win notable roles in high-profile films such as "Clear and Present Danger", "The Cell", "Ray" and "Panic Room". Bauchau also plays notable roles in the independent features "The Five Obstructions", "Twin Falls Idaho", "The Secretary", "Boy Culture" and "The Gray Man" among several others. Bauchau is a series regular playing the blind seer Lodz on the HBO hit show "Carnivale" and recurs in NBC's "Revelation" and ABC's "Alias". He guest stars on numerous television shows including "Castle", "CSI", "How to Make It In America", "Numbers", "Women's Murder Club", "House", "Dead Zone" and "24" among many others. More recently in Europe Bauchau finished shooting the feature films "Ladrones" in Spain, "Suzanne" (France), "Glenn" (Belgium), "Chrysalis" (Italy) and Michel Houellebecq's "Possibility Of an Island" also filmed in Spain. Bauchau currently stars in the hit French TV series" Mystere". More recently in the USA Bauchau appears in Roland Emmerich's "2012", the Polish Brothers film "The Sweet Smell Of Success" and "Extraordinary Measures" with Harrison Ford. He recently returned from filming in Vera Cruz, Mexico on "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" with Mel Gibson.
Bauchau speaks at least 6 languages fluently and has acted in films in different languages throughout the world. He holds passports in 3 countries including the USA.
When not busy with acting, Bauchau lives in a small village outside Paris, and, in Malibu Lake, California, where he is an avid gardener, reader and art collector. He's married to Mijanou Bardot, Brigitte's sister, who also appears in La Collectionneuse. They have 5 dogs, and an adult daughter that lives in Rome.- Laurent Capelluto was born on 16 March 1971 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is an actor, known for Mr. Nobody (2009), Fils unique (2011) and The Clearstream Affair (2014).
- Vincent Grass was born on 9 January 1949 in Brussels, Belgium. He is an actor, known for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008), At Eternity's Gate (2018) and The Break (2016).
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Thierry Hancisse was born on 20 November 1962 in Liege, Belgium. He is an actor, known for Midnight in Paris (2011), Broken English (2007) and The Boat Race (2009).- Actor
- Producer
Ronald Guttman is a theatre, film, and television actor, originally from Brussels, and active in both America and Europe. Some of his most recent work include Godfather of Harlem with Forest Whitaker (MGM+), Sister of the Groom with Alicia Silverstone (Hulu) and Hunters starring Al Pacino (Amazon Prime Video). Other credits include:
Theatre: Peter Morgan's Patriots (Noël Coward Theatre, 2023; Almeida Theatre, 2022); New York - The Fall (Huron Club); Picasso at the Lapin Agile; The Philanthropist (Long Wharf Theatre); The Fifth Column; The Lonely Way (The Mint); Rough For Theater I (Drama League); Race (Classic Stage Company); No Exit; The Free Zone (UBURep); Funky Crazy Boogaloo Boy (Naked Angels); Modigliani (Jewish Repertory Theatre); Coastal Disturbances (Second Stage/Circle in the Square); Oedipus (Performing Garage); Liliom (Off Broadway); Escurial (Actors Studio); Master and Margarita (Summer Stage Bard); Bauer (San Francisco Playhouse); Elephant Man (Théâtre de la Potinière, Paris); Le Sablier (Théâtre Antoine, Paris); numerous productions at the National Theatre (Brussels) and La Compagnie du Rideau de Bruxelles.
Film: V13; All You Need is Blood; The Duel; Isle of Love; Entre Deux Trains; Sister of the Groom; On the Basis of Sex; Black Magic for White Boys; Wanderland; Mr & Mrs Adelman; Welcome to New York; Nina; Pawn; Imogene; 13; Tickling Leo; 27 Dresses; And The Band Played On; Avalon; Green Card; The Hunt for Red October; August Rush; Danton.
Television: Documentary Now; Godfather of Harlem; Hunters; Black Earth Rising; Baskets; Mozart in the Jungle; Blacklist; Madam Secretary; Bull; Preacher; Elementary; The Good Wife; Rendez-Vous; Mad Men; Mildred Pierce; Homeland; Lipstick Jungle; Lost; The West Wing; Sex and the City; Star Trek: Voyager; Murder, She Wrote.- Actor
- Director
Fouad Hajji took his first steps into the world of show business by practicing break-dance at an early age. After reaching an advanced and respected level he went on to performing for acclaimed artists and productions. By his early 20's he was running a dance school with approximately 250 members.
During an internship the US, Fouad developed a serious interest for acting. Upon his return he joined the Parallax School of Actors in Brussels while also studying at a college. He obtained a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology followed by a Master's degree in International Business.
After finishing college, he combined acting work and a system engineer position at an IT firm. He then joined the Flanders Acting Studio where for the next 2 years he was extensively trained by American actor John Flanders.
In 2007 Fouad portrayed the role of "Rachid" opposite Luk Wyns in the award winning film "Ou Quoi", directed by Cecilia Verheyden, which won many awards including Best Fiction Debut at the International Short Film Festival Leuven.
Late 2010, Fouad signed with a US talent agency in Los Angeles. He is later cast in the role of "Javed" in the award-nominated short film "Odium" directed by Neale Hemrajani. He went on to be cast in several feature films including "The Mummy Resurrected" produced by Ray Haboush as well as "False Colors" directed by William Norton.
In late 2013 he lands his first network TV role on NCIS: Los Angeles opposite Daniela Ruah and Eric Olsen. In 2015 he adds another network show to his list by guest starring opposite Gary Sinise in the spin-off series Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. This role provided Fouad with a lot of screen time and allowed him to showcase different sides of his character. The role was positively received and lead to more opportunities. In 2017 Fouad guest starred on the CBS network show Madam Secretary in which he plays opposite Tea Leoni.
Aside from acting, Fouad developed other talents. By 2018 he had self-produced and directed 6 short-films and had also lend his voice to many projects including 'John Wick 3', 'Murder Mystery', The Vampire Diaries', 'MacGyver' and 'Patriot', 'The Brave', 'The Romanoff's' and many others.
Early 2019, he landed a role on the TV show 'Animal Kingdom' which stars actors like Shawn Hatosy and Ellen Barkin and on March 29, 2019 he won the Diwan Award for achievement in the field of arts & culture which took place Brussels, Belgium. 2021, Fouad lands a role in season 4 of Magnum PI as well as a major supporting role on the new Cannes Festival 2022 official selection feature film 'Rebel' by Adil el Arbi and Bilall Fallah a.k.a. directors of 'Bad Boys for Life' starring Will Smith.- Actor
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- Writer
Jean-Paul Comart was born on 23 September 1953 in Tournai, Belgium. He is an actor and director, known for La balance (1982), Le sanglot des anges (2008) and Via Mala (1985).- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Josse De Pauw was born on 15 March 1952 in Asse, Flanders, Belgium. He is an actor and writer, known for Everybody's Famous! (2000), The Twelve (2019) and Crazy Love (1987).- Actor
- Art Department
Jan Decleir was born on 14 February 1946 in Niel, Flanders, Belgium. He is an actor, known for Character (1997), The Memory of a Killer (2003) and Daens (1992). He has been married to Brechtje Louwaard since 1 April 2006. He was previously married to Caroline van Gastel.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Johan Heldenbergh (55) grew up in Gent (Belgium) dreaming of being a movie director and actor, but he was converted to theatre in the late eighties, during his education in the prestigious Studio Herman Teirlinck acting school in Antwerp. The fact that Flanders didn't have a real, or interesting movie and television culture at the time and the freedom he found as a theatre actor, persuaded him to follow that path, enjoying the independence and creativity contemporary Flemish theatre had to offer. He worked as an actor for Alain Platel, Luc Perceval, Raven Ruell, Arne Sierens.a.o.
He started writing and directing in 2001. In 2005 he founded "Compagnie Cecilia" together with Arne Sierens and Marijke Pinoy. His plays "Massis the musical" and especially "The Broken circle breakdown" have become landmarks in Flemish theatre history. His major themes are suicide, political, social, and religious commentaries.
His true vocation has always been cinema, but it wasn't until he met Felix Van Groeningen for his first movie "Steve and Skye", that he started to consider engaging himself in Belgian cinema, and combining the two, playing a character in a movie every summer. His collaboration with Felix Van Groeningen continued for "De helaasheid der dingen/La merditude des choses", that was selected for "La quinzaine des realisateurs" in Cannes, and especially for the adaptation of his own play "The Broken Circle Breakdown/Alabama Monroe" that received an Oscar nomination, a EFA nomination, and the Cesar for best foreign language in 2014.
Since then he is a regular actor in French and international movies and television series. He starred with Jessica Chastain in "The zookeepers wife" (2017), with Hilary Swank and Helena Bonham Carter in "55 Steps" and with Jesse Eisenberg and Alexander Skarsgard in "The hummingbird project". He played "Kolonel Karremans" in "Quo Vadis Aida" which was nominated in 2021.
In 2009 he started a community project in the village where he lived for 13 years. 600 nonprofessionals collaborated on a movie he wrote and directed, called "Schellebelle 1919". Although the priority has always been on the social aspect of the project, the movie succeeded in getting a professional distribution, and got the first "Ensor for special merit" the flemish academy issued every year since then.
He plays the five-string banjo, mandolin, and acoustic guitar. He tapdances and has four children.- Axel Daeseleire was born on 26 October 1968 in Gent, Belgium. He is an actor, known for Vermist (2008), Team Spirit (2000) and Wolf (2010).
- Jerry Henning is known for Comme un aimant (2007).
- Afazali Dewaele was born on 3 June 1978. He is an actor, known for The Day God Walked Away (2009), Comme un aimant (2007) and Vengance (2016).
- Alain Leempoel is known for Sauveur Giordano (2001), Don't Tell Her (2016) and Sex, Love & Therapy (2014).
- Olivier Leborgne is known for Dead Man Talking (2012), Avant qu'il ne soit trop tard (2005) and Jacques a vu (2014).
- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Patrick Ridremont was born on 9 August 1967 in Léopoldville, Congo. He is an actor and writer, known for Dead Man Talking (2012), The Advent Calendar (2021) and The Triplets of Belleville (2003). He was previously married to Virginie Efira.- The Flemish (Dutch-language Belgian) actor Julien Schoenaerts made a most notable acting career, foremost in the theatre but also on the movie - and TV screen.
Schoenaerts was born on 30 August 1925 in Eigenbilzen (Belgian province of Limburg). He once said his first public part was that of St-John at age four, when his sister put a living lamb in his arms during a Catholic procession. From age six Schoenaerts joined "Lust en Leven", the amateur theatre society his father belonged to. After classical humanities (Latin-Greek) he joined in 1948 the then two years young Studio Herman Teirlinck, after which he played ten years in Herman Teirlinck's theatre "Koninklijke Nederlandse Schouwburg" (KNS) in Antwerp. In the 1950s he toured both Dutch-speaking countries with such plays as (both in Dutch translation) "De huisbewaarder" by Harold Pinter and "De kleine prins" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
Frustrated by Flanders' weak theatre policy, he emigrated north, played a year in Karl Guttmann's Ensemble and two with De Nederlandse Comedie, but remained at unease. Schoenaerts returned to Belgium, working with the Flemish public broadcaster BRT, and simultaneously started his own Ringtheater. Unable to continue both, Schoenaerts started a solo career; his last theatre performance was in 1993.
His first screen part was in 1955 in 'Meeuwen sterven in de haven' (scenario by Ivo Michiels). Memorable film parts were Pieter De Coninck in Hugo Claus' 'De Leeuw van Vlaanderen' (1983) and Monseigneur Stillemans in the Oscar-winning 'Daens' (1992). In 1999 he acted in a movie for a young audience; in 2004 he and his son Matthias Schoenaerts appeared in Rudolph Mestdagh's 'Ellektra'.
His artistic interest extended to other arts forms. In 2003 the gallery of "kunstkring Jacques Gorus" in Antwerp held an exposition of his paintings and etchings. Since the 1970s he suffered from mental problems. - Actor
- Director
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- Pascal Duquenne was born on 8 August 1970 in Vilvoorde, Bruxelles, Belgium. He is an actor, known for The Eighth Day (1996), Mr. Nobody (2009) and The Brand New Testament (2015).
- Director
- Actress
- Writer
Axelle Carolyn started out as a freelance reporter for some of the world's most prestigious film magazines and websites. Her non-fiction writing career culminated with the 2009 publication of her book 'Horror Movies In The New Millennium'. After a brief stint in front of the camera (most notably in CENTURION for Pathe), she directed her first short films in 2011: THE LAST POST and THE HALLOWEEN KID- both of which gained awards and acclaim in festivals worldwide -, and HOOKED, which premiered on FearNet. Her first feature, British ghost story SOULMATE, came out in the US and UK in 2014. It toured festivals around the world and won, amongst others, a Best Director accolade at Rome's FantaFestival. In 2015 she created, co-produced and co-directed horror anthology TALES OF HALLOWEEN, which also featured directors such as Lucky McKee and Neil Marshall. It is certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and won a Rondo Award, as well as a prestigious 2017 Saturn Award. It also prompted Fandango to list her as one of their new directors to look out for, and Tribeca Film to declare she 'holds the key to indie horror's future.- Actress
- Director
- Producer
Pascaline Crêvecoeur was born on 30 April 1982 in Brussels, Belgium. She is an actress and director, known for Laura (2016), Alice (2007) and Dancing on the Edge (2013).- Bien de Moor was born on 11 June 1962 in De Pinte, Flanders, Belgium. She is an actress, known for Code Blue (2011), Reizigers in de nacht (2013) and Flikken Maastricht (2007).
- Actress
- Additional Crew
Nade Dieu was born on 2 August 1973 in Belgium. She is an actress, known for Our Music (2004), The Butterfly (2002) and Barrage (2005).- Actress
- Director
- Costume Designer
Dora van der Groen was born on 10 March 1927 in Antwerp, Belgium. She was an actress and director, known for Pauline & Paulette (2001), Minder dood dan de anderen (1992) and Dakota (1974). She was married to Tone Brulin and Wies Andersen. She died on 8 November 2015 in Antwerp, Belgium.- Actress
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Maurane was born on 12 November 1960 in Ixelles, Belgium. She was an actress, known for He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not (2002), Palais royal! (2005) and My Afternoons with Margueritte (2010). She died on 7 May 2018 in Schaerbeek, Brussels, Belgium.- Actress
- Music Department
Angela Schijf became famous thanks to her performance in Goede tijden, slechte tijden (1990) (GTST), in which she played Kim from 1996 until 1999. After that she played lead roles in the films I Love You Too (2001) and Godforsaken (2003). She also played in the film The Shaft (2001).
Angela played the lead in the musical 42nd Street in 2000-2001, and for that won the Musical Award voor Beste Vrouwelijke Nieuwkomer (Musical Award for best new female talent). In 2002-2003 she stood on the stage again playing in Momenten van Geluk, as wel as in 42nd Street again.
On TV Angela could be seen in shows as Oppassen!!! (1991), M'n dochter en ik (1995), Baantjer (1995) and Babes (1999). More recently, she played the younger sister of three in the series Meiden van De Wit (2002).
The past theatre season she played a lead role in Glazen Speelgoed (The Glass Menagerie), and last March her new feature film De ordening (2003) was shown by NPS.- Actress
Andrée Tainsy was supposed to make her screen debut in Pierre Fresnay's film Le duel (1941) but the film was interrupted in 1939 by the declaration of war. When the Armistice was signed with Germany in June 1940, she decided to flee Paris, and eventually France. Her exile first took her to Argentina, first in Mendoza then to Buenos Aires where she joins actors Rachel Bérendt , Madeleine Ozeray, Maurice Castel and author Jacques Théry. From there on she traveled to Chile where 'Jacques Rémy' rallied a troupe of exiled European comedians (Robert Darène, Nora Gregor, Grégoire Aslan) to shoot the film La fruta mordida (1945) (called in French "Le moulin des Andes"). She returned to France after the war where she settled for good.- Francesca Vanthielen was born on 24 December 1973 in Eeklo, Flanders, Belgium. She is an actress, known for When the Light Comes (1998), Aspe (2004) and Baantjer (1995).
- Yvonne Verbeeck was born on 7 December 1913 in Rumst, Flanders, Belgium. She was an actress, known for Wit is troef (1940), Koko Flanel (1990) and Hector (1987). She died on 26 February 2012 in Antwerpen, Flanders, Belgium.
- Sandrine André was born on 22 February 1973 in Antwerpen, Flanders, Belgium. She is an actress, known for Sara (2007), Familie (1991) and Wolf (2010).
- Hilde De Baerdemaeker was born on 8 May 1978 in Belgium. She is an actress, known for LouisLouise (2008), Recht op recht (1998) and Team Spirit: De Serie (2003). She is married to Pieter Van Huyck.
- Els de Schepper was born on 5 October 1965 in Sint-Niklaas, Flanders, Belgium. She is an actress, known for Vrijdag visdag (1999), Daens (1992) and Wittekerke (1993).
- Els Dottermans was born on 16 May 1964 in Leuven, Flanders, Belgium. She is an actress, known for Antonia's Line (1995), Dennis van Rita (2006) and Meisje (2002).
- Ianka Fleerackers (°1971) is a well known actress and author.
She graduated from the Royal Conservatory in Brussels, but started acting for television, film and theatre when she was sixteen. Her breakthrough came with her role as Princes Prieeltje in the legendary series Kulderzipke next to Jan Decleir and Michael Pas. She performed for more than ten years for several theater company's.
Ianka played leading roles in series such as Flikken, LouisLouise and Het Goddelijke Monster and appeared as a guest actress in numerous series. In addition to her varied roles for television, Ianka also featured in several films such as Max, the Oscar-nominated Everybody's Famous, The Intruder and in the short films Lisa, Dju ! and Gender. In recent years Ianka was slightly less present on screen. During that time she shifted her focus, and became very active as an author and entrepreneur. Now she combines those things with her acting career. Recently she starred in Altijd Prijs, Coppers, De Bunker, Professor T and Vermist. Besides Flemish, she speaks English very fluently. She also speaks French and German. - Actress
- Soundtrack
Jacky Lafon was born on 21 November 1946 in Dendermonde, Flanders, Belgium. She is an actress, known for Familie (1991), Zonde van de zendtijd (2009) and Paniekzaaiers (1986).- Actress
- Soundtrack
Free Souffriau was born on 8 February 1980 in Gent, Flanders, Belgium. She is an actress, known for The Broken Circle Breakdown (2012), Mega Mindy en het zwarte kristal (2010) and Mega Mindy (2006). She has been married to Miguel Wiels since 20 September 2010. They have two children.- Arlette Sterckx was born in 1964. She is an actress, known for Spoed (2000), Editie (1995) and Flikken (1999).
- Actress
Mia Van Roy was born on 15 October 1944 in Turnhout, Flanders, Belgium. She is an actress, known for Mira (1971), Labyrinthus (2014) and Man zkt vrouw (2007).- Actress
- Music Department
Grietje Vanderheijden was born on 20 October 1977 in Belgium. She is an actress, known for Spoed (2000), Lili & Marleen (1994) and Flikken (1999). She has been married to Bjorn Van Reet since 15 May 2015. They have four children. She was previously married to Sven.- Actress
- Writer
Marie Vinck was born on 3 January 1983 in Antwerpen, Flanders, Belgium. She is an actress and writer, known for De kus (2004), De Rodenburgs (2009) and Adem (2010).- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Thomas Ancora was born on 20 July 1986 in Belgium. He is an actor and writer, known for Losers Revolution (2020), The Fifth Estate (2013) and Culte.- Jappe Claes was born on 22 October 1952. He is an actor, known for Dossier K. (2009), Recht op recht (1998) and The Memory of a Killer (2003).
- Thomas Coumans was born on 16 September 1984 in Belgium. He is an actor, known for In the Arms of My Enemy (2007), Transferts (2017) and Arrêtez-moi (2013).
- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Henri Garcin was born on 11 April 1928 in Antwerp, Belgium. He was an actor and writer, known for The Pink Panther (2006), Destroy, She Said (1969) and Black Thursday (1974). He died on 13 June 2022 in Evreux, Eure, France.- Nicolas Gob was born on 29 October 1982 in Brussels, Belgium. He is an actor, known for Cannibal (2010), What Love Means (2008) and Merci, les enfants vont bien! (2005).
- Actor
- Stunts
- Director
When he was seven years old Michel Qissi began training in boxing. He soon met and befriended a young Jean-Claude Van Varenberg (Jean-Claude Van Damme) who was studying Shotokan Karate, and the two traded techniques in their systems. They grew up together and shared the same love of action films and dreamed of being action stars themselves one day. In 1982, Qissi and Jean-Claude went to Hollywood together to look for a career in action movies. landing their big break in 1986. After obtaining an interview with Menahem Golan of Cannon Pictures they secured a three-picture deal, the first of which was the highly successful Bloodsport. In Cyborg (1989), Qissi worked as Van Damme's personal trainer but had no part in the cast. In the picture, Kickboxer (1989), Qissi was working as a choreographer when he overheard the production crew say they needed a tall Asian-looking guy who had a background in Muay Thai. Qissi had studied Muay Thai years before in Thailand so he volunteered and got the part of Tong Po. Michel Qissi was not credited; however, he was dubbed as Tong Po and even given a make-up job to make him look Asian. His final picture with Van Damme was Lionheart (1990) (AWOL), playing a legionnaire sent to bring Van Damme back to the army. Since then, he returned to his role of Tong Po in the sequel Kickboxer 2: The Road Back (1991). Qissi also did a few of his own flicks including Terminator Woman (1993) which he directed; he also had a relative Jeanette Agaronoff as the writer for this movie. Extreme Force (2001) was a movie directed by him along side Hector Echavarria as once again looking just like Tong Po but under the moniker Kong Li.