Belgian actors who were born in 1960
Here are 7 famous actors from Belgium were born in 1960:
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Van Damme (October 18, 1960 Sint-Agatha-Berchem-) also known as Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg, JCVD, J.C., Muscles from Brussels, Jean-Claude Van Varenbergh, Jean Claude Van Damme, Jean-Claude Vandamme, Jean-Claude Vandam, J. Claude van Damme, Van Damage, ジャン＝クロード・ヴァン・ダム, The Muscles from Brussels, Jean-Claude Van Varenberg or Jean-Claude is a Belgian martial artist, actor, screenwriter, film producer, film director and film editor. He has three children, Nicholas Van Varenberg, Kristopher Van Varenberg and Bianca Bree.
Jean-Claude Van Damme began his martial arts training at age 10 and achieved his first black belt in karate just four years later. He went on to win multiple martial arts championships before pursuing an acting career in the late 1980s. His breakout role was in the movie Bloodsport (1988), which established him as a leading actor in martial arts films. He went on to star in numerous action movies throughout the 1990s, including Universal Soldier (1992), Hard Target (1993), Timecop (1994), and Sudden Death (1995). In addition to his work in film, Van Damme has also dabbled in music and has released a number of dance singles over the years. Despite personal struggles with addiction and legal issues, he remains a beloved figure in action cinema and has a dedicated fan base around the world.
Van Damme was born and raised in Brussels, Belgium, where he began his martial arts training at a young age. He initially pursued a career in bodybuilding, but his passion for martial arts eventually led him to compete in full-contact kickboxing and karate tournaments. In 1982, he moved to the United States to pursue a career in acting, and eventually landed his breakthrough role in Bloodsport.
Throughout the 1990s, Van Damme starred in a string of successful action movies that solidified his status as a martial arts and action film icon. He also ventured into other genres, such as the thriller film Double Impact (1991) and the comedy film Welcome to the Jungle (2003). In recent years, he has made a comeback in several TV series, including Jean-Claude Van Johnson and Black Water.
Van Damme's personal life has been marked by struggles with substance abuse and marital problems. He has spoken openly about his battles with addiction and has credited his martial arts practice with helping him stay sober. Despite these challenges, he remains a beloved and influential figure in the world of action cinema.
Frank Focketijn
Frank Focketijn (December 30, 1960 Ekeren-) otherwise known as Frank Focketyn is a Belgian actor and teacher. He has three children, Peter Focketijn, Arne Focketijn and Ruben Focketijn.
Frank Focketijn has appeared in numerous Belgian television programs, including "Witse," "Flikken," and "Aspe." He is also well-known for his roles in films such as "Dossier K," "The Broken Circle Breakdown," and "Anger Management."
Apart from acting, Focketijn has also worked as a teacher, coaching young actors at the Antwerp Conservatory. He has also translated and directed plays, and has performed on stage in productions such as "The Caretaker" and "The Zoo Story."
In 2015, Focketijn was awarded the prestigious Flemish Culture Prize for Performance Arts, in recognition of his contribution to Belgian theatre and film.
Frank Focketijn was born on December 30, 1960 in Ekeren, Belgium. He graduated from the Studio Herman Teirlinck, a renowned theatre school in Antwerp. His acting career started in the early 1980s, when he appeared in several theatre productions.
Apart from his work as an actor and teacher, Focketijn is also a translator, and has translated several plays from English to Dutch. He has directed several productions, including "The Pillowman," which was staged at the Royal Flemish Theatre in Brussels.
Focketijn has received several awards for his work in theatre and film. In addition to the Flemish Culture Prize for Performance Arts, he has also won the John Kraaijkamp Musical Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, and the prestigious Louis d'Or theatre award for his role in "The Caretaker."
Despite his success, Focketijn remains grounded and committed to his craft. He is passionate about teaching the next generation of actors and passing on his knowledge and experience to them. He continues to work in theatre, film and television, and is widely regarded as one of Belgium's most talented and versatile performers.
Mark Van Eeghem
Mark Van Eeghem (September 14, 1960 Bruges-) also known as Marc Van Eeghem is a Belgian actor.
Throughout his career, Mark Van Eeghem has appeared in countless television shows, films, and theater productions. Some of his most notable work includes his lead role in the television series "Kulderzipken" and his supporting role in the film "Manneken Pis". Additionally, he has worked extensively in theater, both as an actor and a director.
Van Eeghem has received numerous accolades for his work, including a nomination for Best Actor at the 2003 Montreal World Film Festival. He has also served as a jury member for various film festivals and awards ceremonies.
In addition to his acting career, Van Eeghem has been an advocate for cancer awareness and research. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2017 and publicly shared his experience on social media with the goal of encouraging others to get screened. Sadly, Van Eeghem passed away on December 14, 2018, at the age of 58.
Mark Van Eeghem was born in Bruges and grew up in a family of artists. His mother was a painter and his father was a sculptor. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent before pursuing a career in acting.In the beginning of his acting career, he was mainly known for his work on television, including his roles in "Witse" and "Professor T". However, Van Eeghem was also a talented theater actor and director. He worked with several well-known theater companies in Belgium, including the KVS and Het Toneelhuis. As a director, he was known for his productions of plays by Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter. In addition to his work on stage and screen, Van Eeghem was also a writer. He published several books, including a memoir about his cancer diagnosis, titled "Lopen tegen de wind" (Running Against the Wind).Van Eeghem's passing was deeply felt by the Belgian arts community, and many of his colleagues paid tribute to him on social media.
Christophe Lemaire
Christophe Lemaire (September 11, 1960 Belgium-) is a Belgian actor.
Born in Belgium in 1960, Christophe Lemaire is considered one of the most accomplished actors of his generation. He trained at the prestigious École nationale supérieure des arts et techniques du Théâtre in Paris before making his professional debut on stage with the Théâtre du Soleil in 1982. Lemaire went on to perform in a number of successful productions, both on stage and on screen. His most notable roles include playing the lead in the film "Avant l'hiver" (Before the Winter Chill) and starring in the critically acclaimed television series "Les Revenants" (The Returned). In addition to his acting career, Lemaire is also a talented writer and director, having written several plays and directed a number of short films. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in "Le Père de mes enfants" (The Father of My Children).
Lemaire's versatility as an actor is evident in the wide range of roles he has played throughout his career. He has portrayed complex characters in a variety of genres, including drama, comedy, and suspense. Lemaire has also worked with some of the most respected directors in the industry, such as Michael Haneke, François Ozon, and Arnaud Desplechin.
Lemaire has remained active in the theater world, both as an actor and director. He has worked with some of the most prestigious theater companies in France and Belgium, including the Théâtre de la Ville, the Théâtre National de Chaillot, and the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, Lemaire is also known for his philanthropic work. He is a strong advocate for human rights and has been involved in a number of charitable organizations over the years.
Lemaire continues to be a prominent and influential figure in the world of film and theater, and his legacy as an actor and artist is sure to endure for generations to come.
Chris van den Durpel
Chris van den Durpel (October 7, 1960 Lokeren-) also known as Durpel, van den, Chris is a Belgian actor, voice actor, screenwriter and film producer.
He is best known for his work on the satirical television series 'Chris en Co' and for his impersonations of Belgian celebrities and politicians. Van den Durpel made his breakthrough in the 1990s and has since become a household name in Belgium. In addition to his acting work, he has also provided the voice for numerous animated characters and has written and produced several films. Van den Durpel has won multiple awards for his comedic performances and continues to be a beloved figure in Belgian entertainment.
His talent for comedy was recognized early on when he won a national comedy competition at the age of 18. He then began performing in cabarets and theaters before landing his own television show, 'Het Peulengaleis', in the early 1990s. This led to his breakthrough role in 'Chris en Co', which became one of the country's most popular comedy shows.
In addition to his television work, van den Durpel has appeared in several films such as 'Manneken Pis' and 'Team Spirit' and has lent his voice to characters in the Belgian versions of popular animated films such as 'Finding Nemo' and 'Toy Story'.
Van den Durpel is also known for his philanthropic work, particularly his support for children with developmental disabilities. He has been an ambassador for the organization 'Zit Stil' which aims to help children with ADHD and has also been involved with the 'Special Olympics' in Belgium.
He has received numerous accolades for his contributions to Belgian entertainment, including the coveted title of 'Cultural Ambassador of Flanders' in 2019. Today, van den Durpel remains a beloved figure in Belgian media and continues to entertain audiences with his unique brand of comedy.
Jo De Backer
Jo De Backer (May 1, 1960 Oudenaarde-) is a Belgian actor.
He started his acting career in 1982 and has since appeared in numerous Flemish films and TV shows. Some of his notable film credits include "Koko Flanel", "Het Sacrament", and "De Leeuw van Vlaanderen". He's also had recurring roles on several popular Flemish TV shows such as "Wittekerke" and "Flikken". In addition to his acting career, Jo De Backer has also done voice-over work for animations and documentaries. He continues to act in films and TV shows while also occasionally performing in theater productions.
Jo De Backer has been honored with several awards for his outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry. He won the Best Actor award at the Belgian Film Festival in 1990 for his role in the film "Koko Flanel". In 2001, he received the Best Supporting Actor award at the same festival for his performance in "Simon the Magician".
Aside from his acting career, Jo De Backer is also passionate about sailing. He has competed in various sailing competitions, including the Fastnet Race and the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. He is also a member of the Royal Belgian Sailing Club.
Jo De Backer is known to be a very private person and keeps his personal life away from the media. However, it is known that he is married and has children.
Pierre Lekeux
Pierre Lekeux (April 19, 1960-) is a Belgian film producer and actor.
He started his career in the film industry as a producer in the early 1980s, and has since produced many successful films that have received critical acclaim both nationally and internationally. Lekeux has also acted in several films, and his performances have been praised by critics and audiences alike. He is known for his ability to accurately depict human emotions on screen, and his dedication to the craft of acting has earned him numerous accolades throughout his career. Outside of his work in the film industry, Lekeux is also known for his philanthropic efforts and has contributed to several charities over the years.
In addition to producing and acting in films, Pierre Lekeux is also a well-known director. He has directed several short films and documentaries, many of which have also received critical acclaim. Lekeux is particularly passionate about using filmmaking as a tool to shed light on social issues, and has directed several projects that aim to raise awareness about topics such as poverty, human rights, and environmental conservation.
Throughout his career, Lekeux has won several awards for his work in the film industry, including the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival and the Best Director award at the Venice Film Festival. He has also served as a judge at several major film festivals, and is widely respected for his knowledge and expertise in the field.
Despite his success, Lekeux remains humble and committed to giving back to the community. He is a strong advocate for education and has supported several educational initiatives in his native Belgium and beyond. In his free time, Lekeux enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with his family.