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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.

Kevin Janssens (°1979) studied at the Studio Herman Teirlinck (Antwerp) and got his first important role in his last year of his studies, when he was asked to play the leading role in a mini TV series about a boxer called KING OF THE WORLD, by Guido Henderickx. Continuously, he performed several serious leading roles in Belgium, in the popular TV Series WINDKRACHT : KOKSIJDE RESCUE and the crime series MISSING. He played in Jan Verheyens romantic comedy ZOT VAN A. and MAD ABOUT YOU by Hilde Van Mieghem. Since his performance in THE ARDENNES by Robin Pront, in a production of Oscar Nominated Producer Bart Van Langendonck for Savage Film, his career had a turning point. The film was selected for many festivals , amongst them the TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. He recently was seen in the French-Belgian production ABOVE THE LAW by François Troukens together with Olivier Gourmet, Bouli Lanners and Lubna Azabel , which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and in Coralie Fargeats film REVENGE together with Mathilda Lutz, which is selected for SUNDANCE. He recently finished the shooting of a Dutch film called CATACOMBE by Victor D. Ponten and a Belgian TV series called OPEN WATER by Tom Lenaerts, where he both played the leading role. In the French film Les Confins Du Monde by Guillaume Nicloux , he has a small part next to Gérard Depardieu.

With over 100 projects in film, television and in theatre Gene Bervoets (1956) is one of Belgium's well-established actors. In 2015 he won the Ensor for Best Actor for his interpretation of bus driver Mario Dockers in Paradise Trips. Additionally, Bervoets has been nominated several times in the aforementioned category among which his nomination for a Golden Calf in 2009 for his role in De Laatste Dagen van Emma Blank. One of the prices brought home for Erotic Tales: The Waiting Room, written and directed by Jos Stelling, was a Golden Calf for Best Short Film. Most recently Bervoets is known for playing the leading role of Maurice Teirlinck, an ex-commander in the navy and fugitive, in Beau Séjour 2. Bervoets was part of the series Professor T., Tabula Rasa, Lockdown and Déjà Vu to name a few. In film he worked with directors including Alex van Warmerdam, Dominique Deruddere and Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah. At the moment Bervoets is on set with Willem Dafoe, working on a movie directed by Vasilis Katsoupis.

George Bruggeman was born on 1 November 1904 in Antwerp, Belgium. He was an actor, known for You Hit the Spot (1945) and The Living Christ Series (1951). He was married to Emily Priscilla Mills. He died on 9 June 1967 in North Hollywood, California, USA.

Hans Herbots is a Belgian director for film and TV Drama. Born in 1970 in Antwerp, he is mostly known for 'The Serpent' (2021), 'Riviera' (2017), 'De Behandeling' (The Treatment) (2014) and 'Het Goddelijke Monster' (2011). He has adapted two novels by Mo Hayder, 'The Treatment' and more recently 'Ritual'. He was nominated for a Digital Emmy for 'The Spiral' (2016)

Jean Servais was born on 24 September 1910 in Antwerp, Belgium. He was an actor and writer, known for Rififi (1955), The Longest Day (1962) and Le Plaisir (1952). He was married to Dominique Blanchar and Gilberte Graillot. He died on 17 February 1976 in Paris, France.

Tom Waes was born on 7 November 1968 in Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium. He is an actor and producer, known for Undercover (2019), Het geslacht De Pauw (2004) and Reizen Waes (2013).

Nico Leunen, ACE (°1974) graduated in 1998 as a Master in Experimental Film at the Sint Lukas school for film in Brussels, Belgium. Soon after that, he discovered a natural feeling for editing. Since then he has worked on more than 60 feature films and full length documentaries. In 2013 he received the prestigious Culture Award of Flanders for Film for his contribution to Flemish cinema during his career so far. In 2015 he was invited to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He is an ACE active member since 2021. He lives in Brussels with his partner, and film director, Fien Troch with whom he made two sons and three feature films.

Manou Kersting was born on 24 May 1962 in Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. He is an actor and director, known for To Catch a Fly (2017), Zuidflank (2013) and Slot Marsepeinstein (2009).

Born in Belgium, Ulu Grosbard was educated at the University of Chicago, then attended the Yale Drama School. Becoming a stage director in 1957, Grosbard directed many successful Broadway shows. In the early '60s Grosbard journeyed to Hollywood, where he was hired as an assistant director on several productions, and several years later directed his first film - appropriately enough, an adaptation of a hit Broadway play (The Subject Was Roses (1968)). Grosbard's film career has been sporadic, however, and he has found much more success staging Broadway shows.

Ann Codee was born on 5 March 1890 in Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. She was an actress, known for So Dark the Night (1946), Kiss Me Kate (1953) and Can-Can (1960). She was married to Frank Orth. She died on 18 May 1961 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Hadise Açikgöz is a Turkish-Belgian singer-songwriter, dancer, and television personality. Born and raised in Belgium, her family originally come from Sivas, Turkey. In 2003, she participated in the Belgian singing competition show Idool 2003, but rose to fame after releasing her debut album Sweat in 2005. The album spawned 5 singles and earned Hadise both a TMF Award (Belgium) and "Altin Kelebek" Award (Turkey). Hadise established and maintained a successful career in both Belgium and Turkey with the release of her self-entitled album Hadise (2008). The album which includes English and Turkish songs, features the single "Deli Oglan" that became a number-one hit in Turkey.

In 2009, Hadise represented Turkey at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Düm Tek Tek". The song gained a total of 177 points, placing Turkey fourth in the final round of the competition. "Düm Tek Tek" earned Hadise her first number one single in Belgium and was followed-up with the release of her studio albums Fast Life, (2009) and Kahraman (2009). The single "Evlenmeliyiz" from Kahraman was among the top-ten hits on Türkçe Top 20. She has since focused on her career in Turkey with the release of her albums Ask Kaç Beden Giyer? (2011) and Tavsiye (2014).

Her name was chosen by one of her grandparents, having originally being intended for her older sister. Hadise's parents emigrated to Belgium from Sivas, Turkey. Her mother is Kumyk and her father is Lezgin. She grew up with her older sister, Hülya, a younger sister Derya and also a younger brother named Murat. Hadise was 11 years old when her parents divorced.

Hadise studied economics and modern languages. She is fluent in five languages: Turkish and Dutch (which are her native languages), French, German and English.

At the age of 18 and with the support of her family Hadise participated in the first season of the show Idool, the Flemish version of the Pop Idol series. She failed to qualify for the finals, however, her appearance was acknowledged by her soon-to-be manager Johan Hendrickx. Hendrickx contacted Hadise explaining how impressed he was with her performance on the show and offered her an album contract.

In 2006, Hadise presented Popstar Türkiye (tr) (Turkish version of Popstars). It was her first presenting role in Turkey. From 2008 to 2009, she got a job as a presenter for the first time in Belgium. She was the presenter of the second season of Belgian X Factor at VTM. Although it was her first television job in Belgium, Hadise garnered much praise. She handled a critical moment when Maurice Engelen, one of the judges, left the contest during a live television cast. Hadise was also praised by the candidats of X Factor for guiding them. Since 2011, Hadise has working as one of the judges on the singing competition show O Ses Türkiye (Turkish version of The Voice).

Hadise has said she admires artists such as Shakira, Brandy Norwood, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson, Tina Turner, Toni Braxton, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, U2 and Prince. Hadise's songs have also clearly been influenced by Turkish music, making her songs rather unusual, as it fuses R&B and Turkish pop. Examples of songs by her combining a strong Turkish slant with an Urban feel include "Stir Me Up", "Bad Boy", "A Good Kiss" and "Don't Ask". Many people have compared Hadise to American R&B singer Beyoncé. Her fans affectionately call her the most famous Turkish star worldwide.

In September 2009, Hadise donated her time in support of the "Schools without Bullying" campaign in Belgium. During a press conference held by the organization, Hadise explained how as a child she "was bullied for her cloths" and even "because of her origin". She explained that she wanted to be part of the project because she loved children and had been a graduate herself, she understood how there was no place for bullying.

Hadise has rejected two offers to star in a film. One of the parts was the leading role in a Turkish movie. Not much is known about this film, apart from the fact that the film supposedly focused on two sisters, one of whom was to be played by Hadise. In July 2008, Hadise was again offered a role in a Turkish comedy film.

Harry Kümel was born on 27 January 1940 in Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. He is a director and writer, known for The Legend of Doom House (1971), Monsieur Hawarden (1968) and Eline Vere (1991).

Dirk Roofthooft was born in 1959 in Antwerp, Belgium. He is an actor, known for De Partizanen (1995), De bossen van Vlaanderen (1991) and Hombres complicados (1998).

Eugene Deckers was born on 22 October 1913 in Antwerp, Belgium. He was an actor, known for North West Frontier (1959), The Detective (1954) and The Rat Catchers (1966). He died on 13 July 1977 in Paris, France.

Roger Van Hool was born on 27 September 1940 in Antwerp, Belgium. He was an actor, known for As Above, So Below (2014), The Woman Next Door (1981) and Oscar (1967). He died on 28 August 2023 in Paris, France.

Herbert Flack was born on 9 June 1949 in Antwerp, Belgium. He is an actor, known for Medisch Centrum West (1988), Thuis (1995) and Clan (2012). He is married to Mimi Peetermans.

Esther Perel was born on 13 August 1958 in Antwerp, Belgium. She is an actress and director, known for Newness (2017), The Morning Show (2019) and Heads Will Roll (2020).

Hilde Van Mieghem was born on 14 April 1958 in Antwerp, Belgium. She is an actress and director, known for De suikerpot (1997), De kus (2004) and Smoorverliefd (2013).

Ann Ceurvels was born on 13 July 1968 in Antwerp, Belgium. She is an actress, known for Flikken (1999), Diamant (1997) and Windkracht 10 (1997). She has been married to Tim Visterin since 2015. They have one child.

Frank Aendenboom was born on 24 October 1941 in Antwerp, Belgium. He was an actor, known for Crimi Clowns (2012), Blueberry Hill (1989) and The Lion of Flanders (1984). He was married to Rosemarie Bergmans. He died on 31 March 2018 in Belgium.

George Arrendell was born in Antwerp in 1968, the elder son of a South American percussionist and a Belgian painter. He speaks fluent English, Dutch and French.

Through the 1980s George made his pocket money as a break dancer and rap artist and, after graduating from High School, he started working as a model in different parts of Europe. He had caught the acting bug while appearing in student drama productions and playing small roles in Belgian films and TV series, and decided that he wanted to do this for a living. In 1996 he enrolled at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York City. When he returned to Europe he got work in numerous productions, becoming the best working Afro European actor in Belgium. George has worked in movies and television, including the plum role of Inspector Jimmy N'Tongo in Belgian's hit police series Zone Stad (Zone City), which was nominated at the Monte Carlo Television Festival of 2009. He has also appeared in British and Canadian film productions, among them 'Falling Through', 'Christie Malry's Own Double-Entry', 'High Speed', and 'She, Me and Her'. This was filmed on location in Luxembourg, where he was lucky enough to work with Roy Scheider, Peter Weller, Ben Cross and Nick Moran.

George has studied Strasberg, Meisner and Checkhov, which he believes to be an interesting combination.

Tania Kloek was born on 12 January 1973 in Antwerp, Belgium. She is an actress and production manager, known for Flikken (1999), De zonen van Van As (2012) and Team Spirit (2000). She has been married to Christophe Ameye since 2005. They have one child. She was previously married to Tom Van Bauwel.

Bettine Le Beau was separated from her parents at a young age and was taken to two concentration camps during the Holocaust. She eventually escaped from Camp De Gurs on the border of Spain and headed to France, where she (and another girl, "Henriette") was hidden by Marthe and Abel Marre - a middle-aged, childless Catholic couple who owned a secluded farm. On Christmas Eve 1942, a truck dropped the two 10 year-olds by the side of a main road, saving their lives. She was reunited with her parents and brother after the war.

She went to England in 1945, where she attended Pitman's College in Southampton Row. Le Beau went on to work as a model, actress, broadcaster, cabaret artiste, lecturer, portrait painter, sculptor, graphologist, and a facilitator for a Yiddish language circle. She has worked in radio, on a woman's program for solving problems. She has founded a cosmetic business along with a charity called The Feminine Touch. Le Beau is perhaps best known worldwide for her appearances on The Benny Hill Show (1969) (1971-72) and her small part on an episode of Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner (1967) ("A, B and C"). She became a public speaker and authored a book, "Help Yourself to Happiness".

Marieke Dilles was born on 5 October 1986 in Antwerp, Belgium. She is an actress, known for The Emperor of Taste (2008), Vermist (2008) and Ménajeux-à-Trois (2017).