Famous People Born In Antwerp

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 1 
Romelu Lukaku
(Belgian Professional Football Player Who Plays as a Striker)
Romelu Lukaku
79
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 13, 1993
Sun Sign: Taurus

Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian football player, is known for his goal-scoring abilities. He plays in the forward position and can also play as a winger. He has scored more than 50 international goals while playing for the men’s national team of Belgium. Inter Milan, Chelsea, West Bromwich Albion, Everton and Manchester United are some of the clubs he has played for.

 2 
Matthias Schoenaerts
(Belgian Actor Best Known for His Role as ‘Jacky Vanmarsenille’ in the Film ‘Bullhead')
Matthias Schoenaerts
5
Birthdate: December 8, 1977
Sun Sign: Sagittarius

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. 

 3 
Toby Alderweireld
(Belgian Football Defender)
Toby Alderweireld
16
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 2, 1989
Sun Sign: Pisces

Belgian footballer Toby Alderweireld is best known as a defender for Royal Antwerp. Starting his senior career with Ajax, he later also had successful stints with clubs such as Atlético Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur. He was also part of the Belgian squads that played at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup games.

 4 
Abraham Ortelius
(Flemish Cartographer Who Created the World's First Modern Atlas)
Abraham Ortelius
1
Birthdate: April 14, 1527
Sun Sign: Aries
Died: June 28, 1598

Flemish cartographer of the 16th century, Abraham Ortelius is remembered as the person who created Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, the world’s first modern atlas. Starting his career as an engraver, he later switched to map-making. He also served as Spanish king Philip II’s official geographer and proposed the idea of continental drift.

 5 
Anthony van Dyck
(Flemish Baroque Artist)
Anthony van Dyck
3
Birthdate: March 22, 1599
Sun Sign: Aries
Died: December 9, 1641

Anthony van Dyck was a Flemish Baroque artist who started painting at an early age before going on to become the leading court painter in England. Although he is best remembered for painting the aristocracy, van Dyck also painted biblical and mythological subjects. In 1632, Anthony van Dyck received a knighthood from Charles I.

 6 
Mile Svilar
(Serbian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Goalkeeper)
Mile Svilar
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 27, 1999
Sun Sign: Virgo
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 7 
Radja Nainggolan
(Belgian Football Midfielder)
Radja Nainggolan
8
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 4, 1988
Sun Sign: Taurus

Belgian footballer Radja Nainggolan, who plays as a midfielder for Antwerp, has also played for teams such as Cagliari and Piacenza. He began his football career with Tubantia Borgerhout at age 5. A diverse player, he won the Serie A in 2020-2021 with Inter Milan.

 8 
Jamal Ben Saddik
(Moroccan-Belgian Professional Kickboxer)
Jamal Ben Saddik
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 3, 1990
Sun Sign: Libra

Jamal Ben Saddik is a Moroccan-Belgian kickboxer best known for his association with his current promotion Glory, where he competes in the heavyweight division. He achieved popularity in 2018, when he won the Glory Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament. In August 2022, Jamal Ben Saddik was ranked second in the official heavyweight rankings of the promotion.  

 9 
Frans Hals
(Dutch Golden Age Painter Who is Known for His Loose Painterly Brushwork)
Frans Hals
0
Birthdate: 1582 AD
Died: August 26, 1666

One of the most prominent painters of the Dutch Golden Age of painting, Frans Hals is renowned for his individual and group portraits as well as for his genre work paintings. He is known for loose painterly brushwork, colourful palette and lively style of painting. His work played a key role in the development of 17th century group portraiture.

 10 
Ilias Chair
(Moroccan Professional Footballer Who Plays as an Attacking Midfielder)
Ilias Chair
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 30, 1997
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Height: 5'2" (157 cm)
 11 
Kevin Janssens
(Actor)
Kevin Janssens
0
Birthdate: August 21, 1979
Sun Sign: Leo

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. 

 12 
Pascal Struijk
(Dutch Professional Footballer Who Plays as A Defender)
Pascal Struijk
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 11, 1999
Sun Sign: Leo
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 13 
Laura Tesoro
(Singer)
Laura Tesoro
0
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: August 19, 1996
Sun Sign: Leo

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.

 14 
Karl Gotch
(German-American Professional Wrestler)
Karl Gotch
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 3, 1924
Sun Sign: Leo
Died: July 28, 2007
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 15 
Paul de Man
(Belgian-Born American Literary Critic and Literary Theorist)
Paul de Man
0
Birthdate: December 6, 1919
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died: December 21, 1983

Belgian-born American literary critic Paul de Man was considered one of the 2 pioneering figures of deconstruction, the other being French philosopher Jacques Derrida. Known for his criticism of authorial intentionalism, he also had a controversial personal life and once lived with a woman and her husband in a consensual relationship.

 16 
Johan Heldenbergh
(Actor)
Johan Heldenbergh
0
Birthdate: February 9, 1967
Sun Sign: Aquarius

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.

 17 
David Teniers the Younger
(Painter)
David Teniers the Younger
1
Birthdate: December 15, 1610
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died: April 25, 1690

David Teniers the Younger was a Flemish Baroque painter, draughtsman, printmaker, staffage painter, miniaturist painter, copyist, and art curator. A prolific and versatile artist, Teniers was considered an innovator in a variety of genres such as genre painting, history painting, portrait, landscape painting, and still life. Today, he is remembered as the most important Flemish genre painter of his generation.

 18 
Maurice Tempelsman
(Businessman)
Maurice Tempelsman
1
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: August 26, 1929
Sun Sign: Virgo
 19 
Marc Rich
(Businessman and Founder of 'Glencore')
Marc Rich
1
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: December 18, 1934
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died: June 26, 2013

One of the most well-known white-collar criminals ever, Marc Rich, an NYU dropout, was a self-made business magnate and commodities trader who established Glencore but was later charged with fraud and tax evasion, among other crimes. He also donated generously for leukemia research and Jewish causes.

 20 
Milow
(Belgian Singer-Songwriter Best Known for His Album 'Coming of Age')
Milow
0
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: July 14, 1981
Sun Sign: Cancer

Milow is a Belgian singer-songwriter who has achieved immense popularity in mainland Europe and Canada where one of his albums sold more than 500,000 copies in the late 2000s. Over the course of his illustrious career, Milow has won many prestigious awards such as Music Industry Awards, MTV Europe Music Award, and European Border Breakers Award.

 21 
Elias M. Stein
(Mathematician Who Was a Leading Figure in the Field of Harmonic Analysis)
Elias M. Stein
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: January 13, 1931
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died: December 23, 2018
 22 
Athene
(YouTuber and Twitch streamer.)
Athene
1
Birthdate: June 9, 1980
Sun Sign: Gemini
 23 
Henry van de Velde
(Architect)
Henry van de Velde
1
Listed In: Architects
Birthdate: April 3, 1863
Sun Sign: Aries
Died: October 25, 1957
 24 
Ritchie De Laet
(Belgian Football Defender)
Ritchie De Laet
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 28, 1988
Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Belgian footballer Richie de Laet, who is a well-known defender, started his senior career with Royal Antwerp. He later had successful stints with clubs such as Leicester City and Middlesbrough, winning a Premier League with the former. He was also named the 2009-10 Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year.

 25 
Pieter Claesz
(Painter)
Pieter Claesz
0
Birthdate: 1597 AD
Died: January 1, 1661

Pieter Claesz was a Dutch painter of still lifes who flourished during the Dutch Golden Age. He is best remembered for his work alongside other important Dutch Golden Age artist Willem Claesz Heda. Pieter Claesz and Heda worked in Haarlem and are credited with founding a well-known tradition of still life painting in the city. 

 26 
Jacob Jordaens
(Former Flemish Painter Known for His History Paintings, Genre Scenes and Portraits)
Jacob Jordaens
1
Birthdate: May 19, 1593
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: October 18, 1678

Flemish painter Jacob Jordaens was a major part of the Flemish Baroque movement. He is best remembered for his works such as Allegory of Fertility and known for his signature use of warm colors and scenes inspired by proverbs, mythology, allegories. He also designed many tapestries.

 27 
Francis Alÿs
(Belgian-born Mexican Artist Best Known for His Films, Installations, and Performances Called 'Paseos')
Francis Alÿs
0
Birthdate: August 22, 1959
Sun Sign: Leo

Belgian-born Francis Alÿs first moved to Mexico as part of a team that helped the country rebuild itself after its destruction in the 1985 earthquakes. He later settled there and created artwork using a variety of media, from painting to video. The Collector is one of his best-known works.

 28 
Clara Peeters
(Painter)
Clara Peeters
0
Birthdate: 1594 AD
Died: 1659 AD

Clara Peeters was a Flemish painter from Antwerp known for her still-life works. Active in both the Spanish Netherlands and the Dutch Republic, she is the most famous female Flemish artist of her era. She was one of the few women artists working professionally in 17th-century Europe. She is believed to have been a wealthy and successful artist.  

 29 
Frans Snyders
(Flemish Baroque Painter)
Frans Snyders
0
Birthdate: November 11, 1579
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Died: August 19, 1657

Flemish painter Frans Snyders is best remembered for his paintings of animals and hunting scenes. He also created still-lifes of flowers and fruits. He is also considered a pioneer in depicting animals as protagonists in everyday situations. His works also featured many collaborations with Antwerp painters.

 30 
Pieter Abbeel
(American Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, Director of the Berkeley Robot Learning Lab)
Pieter Abbeel
0
Birthdate: 1977 AD
 31 
Angeline Flor Pua
(Miss Belgium 2018)
Angeline Flor Pua
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: April 17, 1995
Sun Sign: Aries
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 32 
Cindy Dandois
(Belgian Mixed Martial Artist)
Cindy Dandois
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 26, 1984
Sun Sign: Scorpio

Cindy Dandois is a Belgian mixed martial artist who competed in the Featherweight, Bantamweight, and Lightweight divisions. She has fought for various promotions like the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Bellator MMA. The mother of six, Cindy Dandois is currently working as a high school teacher. 

 33 
Edward Schillebeeckx
(Belgian Catholic Theologian who Challenged Many Age-Old Religious Beliefs)
Edward Schillebeeckx
0
Birthdate: November 12, 1914
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Died: December 23, 2009

Belgian Catholic theologian Edward Schillebeeckx was part of the Dominican Order and taught at the Catholic University of Nijmegen. Through his writings, he challenged the age-old religious beliefs such as virgin birth and resurrection, and thus angered the Vatican. The Erasmus Prize winner was a professor of dogmatic theology, too.

 34 
Charlotte of Bourbon
(Consort)
Charlotte of Bourbon
0
Birthdate: 1546 AD
Died: May 5, 1582
 35 
Lionel of Antwerp, 1st Duke of Clarence
(Duke)
Lionel of Antwerp, 1st Duke of Clarence
3
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: November 29, 1338
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died: October 17, 1368
 36 
Alpaslan Öztürk
(Belgian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Right-Back and Midfielder)
Alpaslan Öztürk
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 16, 1993
Sun Sign: Cancer
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 37 
Ulu Grosbard
(American Theatre and Film Director and Film Producer)
Ulu Grosbard
0
Birthdate: January 9, 1929
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died: March 19, 2012

The Belgian-American stage and film director Ulu Grosbard, in his five decades of career, became known for working on selected projects and his complex portrayal of characters. His successful Broadway career included Tony Award nominations for The Subject Was Roses and American Buffalo. His Hollywood credits include True Confessions and Georgia and the film version of The Subject Was Roses.

 38 
Camille Clifford
(Actress)
Camille Clifford
0
Birthdate: June 29, 1885
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died: June 28, 1971

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.

 39 
Esther Perel
(Psychotherapist)
Esther Perel
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 1958 AD
 40 
Martine Franck
(Photographer)
Martine Franck
1
Listed In: Photographers
Birthdate: April 2, 1938
Sun Sign: Aries
Died: August 16, 2012
 41 
Ambrosius Bosschaert
(Painter)
Ambrosius Bosschaert
0
Birthdate: January 18, 1573
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died: 1621 AD
 42 
Fernando Sánchez
(Fashion designer)
Fernando Sánchez
0
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: August 9, 1935
Sun Sign: Leo
Died: June 28, 2006
 43 
Arnold Geulincx
(Belgian Philosopher)
Arnold Geulincx
0
Birthdate: January 31, 1624
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Died: October 31, 1669

Arnold Geulincx was a Flemish philosopher, logician, and metaphysician. Over the years, Geulincx's works like De virtute and Methodus inveniendi argumenta have influenced other prominent personalities like Irish novelist and playwright Samuel Beckett, who cites Arnold Geulincx as a key influence.

 44 
Henry Geldzahler
(Historian, Writer)
Henry Geldzahler
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: July 9, 1935
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died: August 16, 1994
 45 
Bartholomaeus Spranger
(Painter)
Bartholomaeus Spranger
0
Birthdate: March 21, 1546
Sun Sign: Aries
Died: June 27, 1611
 46 
Frans Floris
(Artist)
Frans Floris
0
Birthdate: April 17, 1519
Sun Sign: Aries
Died: October 1, 1570

Frans Floris was a Flemish painter, print artist, draughtsman, and tapestry designer. He is best remembered for his allegorical scenes, history paintings, and portraits. A well-known Romanist, Frans Floris played a significant role in bringing the nuances of the Italian High Renaissance artworks into the Northern painting tradition.   

 47 
Hendrik Conscience
(Novelist Best Known for His Romantic Nationalist Novel, 'The Lion of Flanders (1838)')
Hendrik Conscience
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 3, 1812
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died: September 10, 1883

Belgian romantic novelist Hendrik Conscience was one of the pioneers of the Flemish novel. Best remembered for his historical fiction The Lion of Flanders, he had also penned tales on urban and rural life. He had also been a local politician, a museum curator, and a district commissioner.

 48 
Gert Verhulst
(Singer-songwriter)
Gert Verhulst
1
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: January 24, 1968
Sun Sign: Aquarius

Considered a Flemish cultural icon, Gert Verhulst is especially known for his contributions to children’s entertainment. Equally well-known as a presenter and entertainer, his childhood goal was to become famous and he quickly achieved that with his first show, Samson en Gert. Also a successful entrepreneur, he is a co-founder of Studio 100 and holds substantial stake in the company.   

 49 
Jean Servais
(Actor)
Jean Servais
0
Birthdate: September 24, 1910
Sun Sign: Libra
Died: February 17, 1976
 50 
George Koltanowski
(American Chess Player)
George Koltanowski
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: September 17, 1903
Sun Sign: Virgo
Died: February 5, 2000