Famous Belgian Film & Theater Personalities

A Belgian actor, film producer and graffiti artist, Matthias Schoenaerts debuted at the age of 13 and attained star status with his 2008 film Loft. Later, his films Bullhead and Rust and Bone further increased his fame and brought him multiple awards. In 2015, the French Ministry of Culture named him the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters. 

Jacques Brel was a Belgian singer, actor, director, and songwriter. He is remembered for composing and performing thoughtful, literate, and theatrical songs. Apart from inspiring French musicians, Brel's works have also had a major influence on English-speaking performers like David Bowie, Scott Walker, Rod McKuen, Marc Almond, and Alex Harvey. Brel is the third-best-selling Belgian music artist of all time.

Cécile de France is a Belgian actress who achieved international prominence for her performance in films like High Tension and Hereafter. One of the most celebrated and popular Belgian actresses of her generation, Cécile de France has won many prestigious awards including two César Awards and multiple Magritte Award nominations.

Eline Powell is a Belgian actress who achieved international recognition in 2018 when she was cast to play the title role in the American fantasy drama TV series Siren which ran from 2018 to 2020. Eline Powell has also appeared in other popular TV series like Game of Thrones. 

Belgian actor and theatre director Mehdi Dehbi is best known for his acting in films The Other Son, Mary Queen of Scots and A Most Wanted Man. In recent times, he starred in the lead role in the Netflix thriller series Messiah. He has also performed in stage plays and has also directed a play titled Les Justes.

Chantal Akerman was a Belgian screenwriter, film director, and artist. she also served at the City College of New York as a film professor. Best known for her work in the 1975 arthouse film Jeanne Dielman, which was described as a masterpiece by The New York Times, Chantal Akerman had a profound influence on avant-garde cinema.  

Patrick Bauchau is a Belgian actor who is etched in our memory as Scarpine, the murderous associate of the anti-hero in A View to a Kill. Born in Belgium and educated at Oxford, he can speak German, French, English, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Dutch, enabling him to successfully work in numerous films and television series on both sides of the Atlantic.

Virginie Efira is a Belgian television presenter and actress best known for her portrayal of Victoria Spick in the romantic comedy-drama film In Bed with Victoria which earned her a César Award nomination as well as a Magritte Award for Best Actress. Virginie Efira also achieved popularity for her performance in the 2013 romantic comedy film It Boy.

Jonas Bloquet is a Belgian actor who began his career while in his teens and bagged a Magritte Award nomination for his very first film. Later, he attracted international attention with his French thriller film Elle, bagging his second nomination for his performance. Equally adept behind the camera, he has directed three shorts and has appeared in three stage productions.

Victor Polster is a Belgian actor and dancer. Although he is more famous for his award-winning portrayal of Lara in Lukas Dhont’s film, Girl, Victor Polster considers himself a dancer first and an actor second. He was a student of the Royal Ballet School of Antwerp.

Lyne Renee is a Belgian actress who achieved national prominence after playing an important role in the 2009 noir-style thriller film The Hessen Conspiracy. Since then, Lyne Renee has appeared in several British and American TV series and films.

Kevin Janssens is a Belgian actor best known for playing the title role in the 2019 comedy-drama film Patrick, which earned him a Best Actor nomination at the 10th Magritte Awards. Over the years, Kevin Janssens has also played important roles in other popular Belgian films like The Room and The Bouncer. 

Olivia Vinall is a Belgian-born actress who works predominantly for the British TV industry. She is best known for her performance in British series like Apple Tree Yard, The Woman in White, and Queens of Mystery. In 2018, Olivia Vinall was honored with the Stars of Tomorrow award by the Screen International magazine.

Laura Tesoro is a Belgian actress and singer known for her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 where she represented Belgium with the song What's the Pressure. She is also known for playing Charlotte in the soap opera Familie. Laura Tesoro has also appeared in popular TV shows like The Voice Kids, where she is one of the coaches.

Ingrid Vandebosch is a Belgian actress and model. She achieved popularity in 1990 when she was honored with the Elite Look of the Year Award. As a model, Ingrid Vandebosch has been featured in popular magazines like Elle, Marie Claire, Glamour, and Vogue. In 2008, she was featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Sand Van Roy is a Dutch actress, activist, model, and stand-up comedienne. Over the years, Sand Van Roy has been vocal about the plight of victims of sexual violence. In 2020, she became Stichting Cassandra foundation's ambassador. The organization supports victims of psychological and sexual violence.

Veerle Baetens is a Belgian singer and actress best known for her portrayal of Elise/Alabama in the 2012 drama film The Broken Circle Breakdown. The film earned her a European Film Award as well as a Best Actress award at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2013.

Johan Heldenbergh is a Belgian actor, screenwriter, film director, theatre director, and playwright. Over the years, Heldenbergh has achieved international fame by starring in popular films like The Misfortunates, The Broken Circle Breakdown, and The Zookeeper's Wife.

Jérémie Renier is a Belgian actor best known for his portrayal of Marquis Thomas d'Apcher in the 2001 French film Brotherhood of the Wolf. A critically acclaimed actor, Renier received a César Award nomination for Best Actor for his portrayal of singer Claude François in My Way. He received another César Award nomination for playing Pierre Bergé in Saint Laurent.

Benoît Poelvoorde is a Belgian film actor who appears in Belgium and French films. Renowned for his comedic skills, Poelvoorde has also worked on a sketch series for TV. In 2002, he was honored with the Jean Gabin Prize for his contributions. His performance in Une place sur la Terre earned him the Magritte Award for Best Actor in 2013.

Jenna Thiam is a Belgian actress best known for her portrayal of Léna Ségure in the French supernatural drama television series The Returned. Jenna Thiam began her career as a model for a clothing company before establishing herself as an actress.

Jaco Van Dormael is a Belgian screenwriter, film director, and playwright. He is best known for making such films that focus on a sympathetic and respectful portrayal of people with physical and mental disabilities. Jaco Van Dormael is credited with making many award-winning films such as Maedeli la brèche, Toto le héros, and Mr. Nobody.

Lubna Azabal is a Belgian actress best known for her portrayal of Suha in the 2005 critically acclaimed political thriller film Paradise Now. Lubna Azabal achieved international fame after playing Nawal Marwan in the 2010 Canadian drama film Incendies which earned her several awards including the 2012 Magritte Award.

Deborah Francois is a Belgian actress best known for her performance in the 2005 Palme d'Or-winning film L'Enfant. She is also known for her portrayal of Fleur Duval in the 2008 French comedy-drama film The First Day of the Rest of Your Life which earned her the César Award under the Most Promising Actress category.

Julien Schoenaerts was a Flemish actor who is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of post-war Flanders and the Netherlands. In 2008, sculptor Wilfried Pas unveiled a statue of the actor on the Kerkstraat in Antwerp. Julien Schoenaerts is also known as the father of Matthias Schoenaerts. 

Ronald Guttman is an actor and film producer. Although he was born in Belgium, Guttman has spent much of his time in the USA, studying the American film industry. Over the years, Ronald Guttman has played important roles in many American films such as The Hunt for Red October, August Rush, and 13.

Émilie Dequenne is a Belgian actress who achieved popularity in 1999 when she played the title role in Rosetta for which she received the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival. Émilie Dequenne then went on to play important roles in many popular films like Brotherhood of the Wolf, Our Children, and This Is Our Land.

Alexandra Vandernoot is a Belgian actress best known for her work in the French film industry. Vandernoot achieved international prominence in the 1990s when she played Tessa Noël in the fantasy action-adventure television series Highlander: The Series.

Laurent Capelluto is a Belgian actor who received a nomination for the prestigious César Award in 2008 for his portrayal of Simon in a French comedy-drama film titled A Christmas Tale. A seasoned actor, Laurent Capelluto has also received a couple of Magritte Awards for his performance in Le temps de l'aventure and The Clearstream Affair.

Maurane was a Belgian singer and actress best remembered for her famous duets with popular artistes like Catherine Lara, Michel Fugain, and Eddy Mitchell. Maurane also won several prestigious awards such as Rapsat-Lelièvre award, RFi Octave award, and Festival d'été de Québec award.  

For somebody who began his acting career with the role of serial killer, love for gardening may seem an antithesis.  Yet, Koen De Bouw is just that. Even though he has a long list of credits, he is actually a nature person, who loves working in his gardens in Antwerp and Wallonia. He also presented a gardening programme on TV from 2007 to 2011.

Eric Godon is a Belgian actor, writer, and director. Godon discovered his passion for acting in his late-30s prior to which he had taken up various jobs in different fields. After making his acting debut at the age of 41, Eric Godon has been a part of many French and Belgian movies.

Belgian singer-actor Annie Cordy, best known for films such as Le Chat and Cigarettes, Whiskey and Wild Women, had also voiced Grandmother Willow in the French version of Pocahontas. She had appeared in countless plays, too, and soared to fame with the chartbusting track La Ballade de Davy Crockett.

Pauline Etienne is a Belgian actress best known for her critically acclaimed performances in movies like Silent Voice and Le Bel Âge. Her portrayal of Laure in Silent Voice earned her the Lumières Award for Most Promising Actress, Gold Star for Best Actress, and César nomination for Best Actress. She also has a couple of Magritte Awards under her belt.  

Veerle Casteleyn is a Belgian ballet dancer and musical theatre performer. She is best known for playing the role of Jemima in a video production of Cats in 1998 as well as on stage. She has also played important roles in the stage production of other popular plays like Dracula, Les Misérables, and Mamma Mia! 

Nicolas Gob is a Belgian actor best known for his contribution to Belgian and French television. Over the years, he has played several important roles in TV series like Les Bleus and Un village français. He achieved international prominence in 2014 when he played Maxime in the popular romantic fantasy film Beauty and the Beast.

Belgian by birth and nationality, theatre director Franco Dragone is in reality an international personality, whose works have enthralled more than 100 million theatre-lovers across the globe. Founder of the Dragone Group that specializes in creation of large scale theater shows, he is also credited with generating a unique style and a common language of "emotional archetypes" in theatre productions.

Francois Damiens is a Belgian actor who first achieved popularity for his hidden camera videos. After making his acting debut, Francois Damiens has played some interesting characters for which he has received many César Award and Magritte Award nominations.

Astrid Whettnall is a Belgian actress best known for her work in the 2016 French-Algerian drama film Road to Istanbul which earned her the Magritte Award for Best Actress. A descendant of King William I of the Netherlands and King George II of Great Britain, Astrid Whettnall has played important roles in films like Yves Saint Laurent and Close Enemies.

Belgian comedian, actor, and filmmaker Yolande Moreau first gained fame as a performer on the show Les Deschiens. Apart from starring in films such as Paris, Je T'aime and Amélie, she has also directed the César Award-winning film When the Sea Rises and the Gijón International Film Festival-winning film Henri.

Prix Romy Schneider-winning Belgian actor Marie Gillain is best known for films such as Mon Pere Ce Heros and All Our Desires. She has also been the face of Lancôme cosmetics and played the lead female character in John Malkovich's play Hysteria. She sang the duet Les figures imposes, too.

Johan Leysen is a Belgian actor best known for his portrayal of Felice Beato in the 1998 Dutch drama film Felice...Felice... for which he received the prestigious Golden Calf award for Best Actor. Johan Leysen achieved international fame in 2010 when he was cast to play Pavel in the George Clooney-starrer The American. 

Jonathan Zaccaï is a Belgian actor, screenwriter, and film director. He is best known for his portrayal of Pierre in the 2008 drama film Private Lessons which earned him the prestigious Magritte Award under the Best Actor category. Jonathan Zaccaï has also received Magritte Award nominations for his performances in A Distant Neighborhood and Sink or Swim.    

Belgian singer, actor, and director Helena Noguerra is best known for films such as Heartbreaker and Alleluia. She has also been part of plays such as Faces and Colette et Willy and has performed with the cover band Nouvelle Vague. She is also the sister of Belgian pop legend Lio.

Noël Godin is a Belgian writer, actor, and critic. A notorious pie thrower, Godin achieved international fame in 1998 when he surprised Bill Gates in Brussels by throwing a pie on the software magnate. Noël Godin is credited with popularizing the so called pie attacks in Belgium. 

French actor Annie Fargé is best remembered for her mastery of situation comedy and for her title role in the American sitcom Angel. Though born in Belgium, she fled the country with her family due to the rise of the Nazis and returned much later, after her divorce with dancer Dirk Sanders.

Starting her career as a freelance film reporter, Axelle Carolyn later also penned the book Horror Movies in the New Millennium. After a brief stint as an actor in movies such as Centurion, she focused on direction and created many successful horror movies, such as Tales of Halloween.

Godfried Danneels was a Belgian cardinal who worked for the Roman Catholic Church. From 1979 to 2010, he served as the chairman of the episcopal conference of Belgium and the Metropolitan Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels. As primate of Belgium, Godfried Danneels officiated at several Royal baptisms, funerals, and marriages at the royal court.

Belgian actor Camille Clifford is best known as the model behind the Gibson Girl illustrations by American illustrator Charles Dana Gibson. She was also an actor known for her role in the musical The Catch of the Season. She was popular for her signature corseted style and her 18-inch waist.