Belgian actors who were born in 1946
Here are 6 famous actors from Belgium were born in 1946:
John Dobrynine
John Dobrynine (December 7, 1946 Brussels-) otherwise known as John Lawrence Dobrynine is a Belgian actor.
He is best known for his work in French cinema, where he has appeared in dozens of films since the 1970s. Dobrynine was born in Brussels in 1946 to a Belgian mother and a Russian father, and grew up bilingual in French and Russian. He began his acting career in the theatre before transitioning to film, where he quickly made a name for himself as a versatile character actor. Dobrynine's notable film roles include "La Rupture" (1970), "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" (1988), and "Indochine" (1992). He has also acted in several television shows, including the French series "Maigret" and the Belgian series "Crimi Clowns". In addition to his work as an actor, Dobrynine has directed and written for the theatre.
He studied at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels before starting his acting career on stage. Dobrynine has won critical acclaim for his performances in the theatre as well, appearing in productions at the National Theatre of Belgium and the Théâtre National de la Colline in Paris, among others. In addition to his acting and theatrical work, Dobrynine is also known for his activism. He has been a vocal supporter of the European Union and has advocated for greater cultural exchange and collaboration across Europe. He has also been involved in environmental activism and has spoken out on issues related to climate change and sustainability. Dobrynine continues to act in films and television and remains an active figure in the French and Belgian cultural scenes.
In 2014, Dobrynine was awarded the prestigious Order of the Crown by the Belgian government in recognition of his contributions to the arts. He is known for his dedication to his craft and his ability to bring depth and nuance to his roles. Dobrynine has also served as a mentor to emerging actors and has taught acting at several institutions, including the Conservatoire royal de Liège. Despite his success and acclaim, Dobrynine remains humble and committed to his craft, stating in an interview that acting is a lifelong learning process and that he is always striving to improve his skills.
Jan Decleir
Jan Decleir (February 14, 1946 Niel, Belgium-) also known as Jan Amanda Gustaaf Decleir is a Belgian actor. His children are called Jenne Decleir, Sofie Decleir and Flor Decleir.
He gained international recognition for his role in the Academy Award-nominated film "Karakter" (1997). Decleir has appeared in over 100 films and TV shows throughout his career, including "Daens" (1992), "Turquaze" (2010), and "The Memory of a Killer" (2003). In addition to his work in film and television, Decleir has also worked extensively in theater, receiving critical acclaim for his roles in productions such as "Mistero Buffo" and "The Miser". He has won numerous awards for his acting, including several Flemish Academy Awards and an Adolf Grimme Award.
Decleir began his acting career in 1970 when he joined the Antwerp-based theatre group RAAM. He later appeared in a number of productions at the Antwerp Royal Flemish Theatre and also worked with the KVS theatre group in Brussels. Decleir is known for his versatility as an actor, being able to inhabit a wide range of characters. He has played everything from a gangster and a detective to a priest and an animal trainer. In addition to his acting work, Decleir has also directed several short films and written several screenplays. He is considered one of Belgium's greatest actors and has been praised for his contributions to Belgian cinema and theatre. Outside of Belgium, Decleir is best known for his role in "Karakter", which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
In recent years, Decleir has continued to work in both film and theater. He starred in the Belgian film "The Ardennes" (2015) and the Dutch film "The Paradise Suite" (2015), both of which received critical acclaim. He also had a recurring role in the popular TV series "Beau Séjour" (2017) and "De Bende van Jan de Lichte" (2018). In 2021, Decleir appeared in the film "Red Sandra", which tells the true story of a woman who becomes a political activist after suffering from a rare disease. Decleir's performance received widespread praise, with many critics hailing it as one of his best. In addition to his acting work, Decleir is also involved in various social and political causes, including environmental issues and human rights.
Serge-Henri Valcke
Serge-Henri Valcke (June 30, 1946 Ypres-) a.k.a. Serge Henri Valcke, Serge Valcke or Serge Henri Valke is a Belgian actor and voice actor.
He has worked extensively in both French and Dutch language productions, appearing in theater, film, and television. Valcke is perhaps best known for his role as The Narrator in the French-language version of the TV series "The Magic Roundabout," which aired in the 1960s and 1970s. He has also lent his voice to many animated characters over the years, including Caesar in Disney's "Planet of the Apes" TV series and Professor X in "X-Men: Evolution". In addition to his acting work, Valcke has also worked as a radio journalist and producer.
Valcke began his acting career in the late 1960s and has since appeared in more than 60 films, as well as numerous stage productions. He has received critical acclaim for his performances in films such as "C'est arrivé près de chez vous" and "Le Grand Soir". In addition to acting, Valcke has also directed theater productions and has taught acting at several institutions in Belgium. He is also a published author, having written several plays and novels. Valcke has been recognized for his contributions to Belgian culture, receiving the Order of the Crown in 2001 and the Order of Leopold II in 2007. Despite his long and successful career, he remains relatively unknown outside of Belgium and France.
Valcke was born in the town of Ypres, Belgium, on June 30, 1946. He studied drama at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in Brussels before beginning his acting career in the late 1960s. Throughout his career, Valcke has worked in both French and Dutch language productions, demonstrating his proficiency in both languages.
In addition to his work as an actor, Valcke has also lent his talents to radio broadcasting. He has produced and presented programs for various radio stations in Belgium, covering diverse topics such as politics, culture, and sports.
Valcke's work in the film industry has earned him critical acclaim, particularly for his performances in the black comedy "C'est arrivé près de chez vous" and the social satire "Le Grand Soir". He has also appeared in several popular TV shows, including the Belgian sitcom "L'Instit".
As an author, Valcke has written several plays and novels, including "La Fille qui n'existait pas" ("The Girl Who Didn't Exist"), which won the Prix Charles Plisnier in 1989.
Despite his many achievements, Valcke has managed to keep a low profile outside of Belgium and France. Nevertheless, he remains a respected figure in Belgian culture and a beloved actor among French-speaking audiences.
Ronny Waterschoot
Ronny Waterschoot (March 9, 1946 Sint-Niklaas-) is a Belgian actor.
He studied drama at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and started his acting career in the 1970s. Waterschoot is known for his roles in Belgian films such as "Daens" (1992), "Manneken Pis" (1995), and "Any Way the Wind Blows" (2003). He has also appeared in TV shows like "Aspe" and "Code 37". In addition to his acting career, Waterschoot has also worked as a theater director and has taught acting at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp. He has received several awards for his contributions to Belgian cinema and theater, including the Flemish Culture Prize in 1993.
Waterschoot is widely respected for his versatility as an actor, having portrayed a range of characters in his career, from comedic to dramatic roles. Some of his most lauded performances include his portrayal of Father Daens in the film "Daens", for which he won the Joseph Plateau Award for Best Actor, and his performance in the play "Good", which earned him a prestigious Arlecchino Award in 1987.
Waterschoot has also been involved in several notable theater productions throughout his career, including "Theatrum Mundi" and "De Oresteia", both of which he directed. He has been a regular collaborator with the Flanders Theatre Company, and has also performed with the Toneelhuis theater in Antwerp.
Outside of his work as an actor and director, Waterschoot is also known for his efforts to support young artists, having served as a mentor and advocate for emerging talent in the Belgian arts scene. He has also been an active supporter of various charitable causes, including organizations that work to support refugees and combat poverty in his home country.
In addition to his numerous accolades for his work in acting and directing, Ronny Waterschoot was named a Knight in the Order of the Flemish Community in 2008, in recognition of his contributions to the cultural landscape of Flanders. He is also known for his passion for literature and poetry, and has collaborated with renowned Belgian author Hugo Claus on several projects. Waterschoot has been praised by colleagues and critics alike for his dedication to the craft of acting and his commitment to exploring new horizons in theater and film. He continues to inspire and mentor young actors and artists, and remains an important figure in the cultural life of Belgium.
Franck-Olivier Bonnet
Franck-Olivier Bonnet (June 21, 1946 Tournai-March 25, 2013 Paris) otherwise known as Frank Olivier, Franck Olivier Bonnet, Frank Olivier Bonnet or Jean-Paul Bonnet was a Belgian actor.
He began his career in Paris in the early 1970s with minor roles in films such as "Les Caïds" and "La Scoumoune". In the mid-70s, he appeared in a number of popular French television series such as "Les Brigades du Tigre" and "Les Enquêtes du commissaire Maigret".
One of his most memorable roles was in the film "La Balance" (1982) where he played a corrupt police officer alongside Nathalie Baye and Philippe Léotard. In addition to his acting career, Olivier was also a playwright and wrote several plays, including "Dérapages" which was performed in Paris in 2008.
He was awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his contributions to French culture in 2005. Olivier passed away in Paris in 2013 at the age of 66.
Despite being born in Belgium, Franck-Olivier Bonnet grew up in France and later became a French citizen. He started acting on stage before transitioning to film and television. In addition to his work in French productions, he also appeared in Italian and American films such as "Lili Marleen" (1981) and "The Formula" (1980). Aside from "La Balance", he was also noted for his performances in "L'Année des méduses" (1984) and "Péril en la demeure" (1985). Olivier was married and had two children, one of whom is actress-influencer Alexandra Lamy. In his later years, he suffered from Parkinson's disease which eventually led to his death in 2013.
Franck-Olivier Bonnet was from a family of artists. His father, a wood carver, and his mother, a painter, instilled in him a love for the arts from a young age. He studied drama at the Conservatoire National Supérieur d'Art Dramatique in Paris, where he was recognized for his talent. In addition to his acting and playwriting career, he was also a painter and exhibited his artwork in galleries in Paris. Olivier was known for his versatility as an actor and his ability to bring depth and complexity to his roles. Despite his success on stage and screen, he stayed grounded and was known for his kindness and generosity with his colleagues. After his death, he was mourned by many in the French film and theater community, who remembered him as a talented artist and a true gentleman.
Anton Cogen
Anton Cogen (May 14, 1946 Lokeren-) also known as Antoine Louis Cogen is a Belgian actor.
He has appeared in numerous films, television shows and stage productions throughout his career spanning over five decades. Cogen is considered as one of the most respected actors in Belgium and has won several awards for his contributions to cinema and theater. He started his acting career in the 1960s and rose to fame for his performances in the films "Daens" (1992) and "Manneken Pis" (1995). Cogen is also known for his prominent roles in television series such as "Het Eiland", "Witse" and "Aspe". He has also worked with several renowned theater companies in Belgium and abroad, performing in plays like "Hamlet" and "Othello". Cogen is still active in the industry and continues to perform in theater productions and films.
Aside from his successful career in the entertainment industry, Anton Cogen is also a well-known advocate for various social causes such as education and poverty reduction. He is a strong supporter of various charities and organizations that aim to improve the living conditions of marginalized communities in Belgium and around the world. In recognition of his humanitarian work, Cogen has been awarded the title of "Honorary Ambassador" by several organizations. He is also a respected professor at the actor training program at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent in Belgium, where he has mentored and inspired countless aspiring actors. Despite his success and achievements, Cogen remains a humble and grounded individual who values his relationships with his family and friends.
In addition to his work as an actor, Anton Cogen is also a talented singer and musician. He has released several albums over the course of his career, showcasing his unique blend of traditional Flemish and contemporary music. Cogen's musical talents have been recognized with several awards and nominations, including the prestigious "ZAMU Award" for Best Folk Album in 2000.
Cogen's passion for the arts extends beyond acting and music. He is also an accomplished painter and sculptor, and his works have been exhibited in galleries in Belgium and abroad. Cogen's artistic pursuits have also led him to collaborate with several well-known artists and designers, creating installations and sculptures for public spaces in Belgium and other countries.
Despite his many accomplishments, Anton Cogen has remained dedicated to his roots and his community. He is actively involved in local initiatives in his hometown of Lokeren, where he works to promote cultural exchange and support educational programs for young people. Cogen's commitment to social justice and his love of the arts have earned him a special place in the hearts of fans and colleagues alike, and his legacy as a performer and humanitarian continues to inspire future generations.