---
name: "Benoît Poelvoorde"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/benoit-poelvoorde"
fi1m_id: "benoit-poelvoorde"
imdb_id: "nm0688143"
tmdb_id: 47820
wikidata_id: "Q714765"
roles: ["Actor","Director"]
born: "22 September 1964"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 2
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 1
updated: "2026-10-01T20:35:20.588829+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Benoît Poelvoorde

## Identity

Benoît Poelvoorde

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/benoit-poelvoorde
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** benoit-poelvoorde
- **IMDb ID:** nm0688143
- **TMDB ID:** 47820
- **Wikidata ID:** Q714765
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beno%C3%AEt_Poelvoorde, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q714765, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0688143/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/47820

Actor and director. Born 22 September 1964 in Namur, Belgium.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director
- **Born:** 22 September 1964, Namur, Belgium
- **Active:** 1992–2009
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 2: 1 acting, 1 directing
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 78 (1), 2000s 60 (1)
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beno%C3%AEt_Poelvoorde, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q714765, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0688143/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/47820

## Coming up

- *5H48, Place des Martyrs* (2027-11-10), as Rudy Simonaud

## Streaming the US now

- **The Criterion Channel:** [*Man Bites Dog*](https://film.one/film/man-bites-dog.md) (78)
- **Tubi:** [*Coco Before Chanel*](https://film.one/film/coco-before-chanel.md) (60)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Benoît Poelvoorde

> Benoît Poelvoorde makes objectionable men disturbingly good company. His work as co-writer, co-director and co-producer on *Man Bites Dog* gives that charm a sharp purpose, though the film keeps reaching for shocks after it has made its point.

In *Man Bites Dog* (1992), Poelvoorde’s Ben is a killer whose affability makes spending time with him uncomfortably easy. Poelvoorde gives him enough charm to explain why a documentary crew might keep following him when they ought to leave. We laughed at his affability, then felt ashamed of enjoying his company while the film kept his violence in view. It is a performance worth seeking out, provided this kind of black comedy is yours.

The film also gives us something concrete to admire in Poelvoorde’s work behind the camera: he co-wrote, co-directed and co-produced it. Rémy Belvaux and André Bonzel share the directing credit, while the screenplay brings Poelvoorde together with Bonzel and Vincent Tavier. Their sharpest observation concerns the crew, whose professional interest in an engaging subject makes continued filming seem reasonable to them. The weakness comes when the film treats the audience’s interest as evidence of the same appetite; we can be disturbed by violence without wanting more of it.

Popular comedies such as *Les Randonneurs* (1997) and *Podium* (2004) followed as acting became the centre of his career. In *Podium*, he plays a Claude François impersonator, a natural fit for an actor so often cast as pretentious or comically flawed men. More restrained dramatic work in *Entre ses mains* (2005) offered another use for the intensity beneath the absurd humour. That matters, because the danger with his comic casting is repetition. Another cynical, overbearing figure risks giving us little we have not already seen.

His supporting dramatic role in *Coco Before Chanel* (2009), alongside Audrey Tautou, is another reason not to judge him solely by the grotesques. For a gentler introduction, there is *Romantics Anonymous* (2010), a romantic comedy with Isabelle Carré. We would still begin with *Man Bites Dog*, where his charm has a precise and troubling use, and his share of the writing and direction gives us more to consider than the performance alone. Go prepared for repeated shocks, some of which the film could have done without.

## Biography

Benoît Poelvoorde is a Belgian actor, comedian, screenwriter, director and producer. He was born on 22 September 1964 in Namur, Belgium. He first gained attention with the 1992 mockumentary *Man Bites Dog*, in which he played the lead role of Ben and shared writing, directing and producing credits with Rémy Belvaux and André Bonzel.

Poelvoorde has appeared in numerous Franco-Belgian films, including *Les Randonneurs* (1997), *Le Vélo de Ghislain Lambert* (2001), *Podium* (2004), *Coco Before Chanel* (2009), *Nothing to Declare* (2010), *Romantics Anonymous* (2010), *The Brand New Testament* (2015) and *Sink or Swim* (2018). He received the Prix Jean Gabin in 2002 and served on the Cannes Film Festival jury in 2004.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (2)

### Performed in (1) — the average rests on these

- *Coco Before Chanel* (2009), Fi1m 60, as Étienne Balsan — [page](https://film.one/film/coco-before-chanel.md)

### Directed (1)

- *Man Bites Dog* (1992), Fi1m 78, as Ben — [page](https://film.one/film/man-bites-dog.md)

## Complete filmography (100)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *5H48, Place des Martyrs* (2027), as Rudy Simonaud
- *Fausse note* (2026), as Alexandre Miller
- *Le Trésor* (2026), Actor
- *Lucky Star* (2025), as Jean Chevalin /Jacob
- *I Love Peru* (2025), Actor
- *How to Make a Killing* (2025), as Major Roland Bodin
- *The Art of Nothing* (2024), as Yves Machond
- *Beating Hearts* (2024), as La Brosse
- *Savages* (2024), as Father (voice)
- *A Wonderful Girl* (2023), as Paul
- *Normal* (2023), as William
- *Represent* (2023), series, as Éric Andréï
- *Smoking Causes Coughing* (2022), as Lézardin
- *The Colors of Fire* (2022), as Gustave Joubert
- *The Green Shutters* (2022), as Félix
- *Mad in Belgium* (2022), Actor
- *Adieu Paris* (2022), as Benoît
- *Inexorable* (2021), as Marcel Bellmer
- *My Father's Stories* (2021), as André Choulans
- *A Town Called Panic: The Summer Holidays* (2021), as Steven (voice)
- *Do You Do You Saint-Tropez* (2021), as Claude Tranchant
- *How I Became a Superhero* (2020), as Monté Carlo
- *Delete History* (2020), as Le livreur Alimazone
- *Adoration* (2020), as Hinkel
- *Panique au village : La Foire agricole* (2019), as Steven (voice)
- *Venice Calling* (2019), as Bernard Chamodot
- *Raoul Taburin* (2019), as Raoul Taburin
- *White as Snow* (2019), as Charles
- *Father & Sons* (2019), as Joseph
- *Sink or Swim* (2018), as Marcus
- *Keep an Eye Out* (2018), as Commissioner Buron
- *An Indian Tale* (2017), as Pierre
- *Panique tous courts* (2017), as Steven (voice)
- *A Town Called Panic: Double Fun* (2016), as Steven (voice) (archive footage)
- *The Jews* (2016), as Boris
- *Saint Amour* (2016), as Bruno
- *A Town Called Panic: Back to School Panic!* (2016), as Steven (voice)
- *Les Shadoks et la maladie mystérieuse* (2016), as (voice)
- *The Brand New Testament* (2015), as God
- *Family for Rent* (2015), as Paul-André
- *The Price of Fame* (2015), as Eddy
- *3 Hearts* (2014), as Marc Beaulieu
- *Zebra Stripes* (2014), as José
- *A Town Called Panic: Christmas Panic!* (2013), as Steven (voice)
- *A Place on Earth* (2013), as Antoine Dumas
- *The Big Bad Wolf* (2013), as Philippe
- *Tied* (2013), as Le banquier
- *Twice Upon a Time* (2012), as Jean Esnart
- *The Big Night* (2012), as Benoît Bonzini, alias NOT
- *My Worst Nightmare* (2011), as Patrick Demeuleu
- *Romantics Anonymous* (2010), as Jean-René Van Den Hugde
- *Nothing to Declare* (2010), as Ruben Vandevoorde
- *Kill Me Please* (2010), as M. Demanet
- *Mammuth* (2010), as Le récupérateur de métal
- *En chantier, monsieur Tanner !* (2010), as Jean-César Astor
- *The Other Dumas* (2010), as Auguste Maquet
- *Park Benches* (2009), as Customer at the hook
- *A Town Called Panic* (2009), as Steven (voice)
- *Coco Before Chanel* (2009), as Étienne Balsan — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/coco-before-chanel.md)
- *Beauties at War* (2009), as Franck Chevrel
- *Louise-Michel* (2008), as Guy l'ingénieur
- *Hikers in Saint-Tropez* (2008), as Éric Jacquemart
- *Asterix at the Olympic Games* (2008), as Brutus
- *Cowboy* (2007), as Daniel Piron
- *Two Worlds* (2007), as Rémy Bassano
- *Charlie Says* (2006), as Joss
- *Jean-Philippe* (2006), as Bernard Frédéric, double of Claude François
- *One Fine Day* (2006), as François Berthier
- *In His Hands* (2005), as Laurent Kessler
- *Akoibon* (2005), as Jean-Mi
- *Narco* (2004), as Lenny Barr
- *The Return of James Battle* (2004), as Allan Chiasse
- *Aaltra* (2004), as Motocross Fan
- *Podium* (2004), as Bernard Frédéric
- *Mr. Manatane's notebooks* (2003), as Mr. Manatane · Idea
- *Laughter and Punishment* (2003), as Le prof de secourisme
- *Le Pied* (2003), as Le pied (voice)
- *A Town Called Panic* (2002), series, as Steven (voice)
- *Dead Weight* (2002), as Francis Reggio
- *Ghislain Lambert's Bicycle* (2001), as Ghislain Lambert · Writer
- *Doors of Glory* (2001), as Regis Demanet
- *The Carriers Are Waiting* (1999), as Roger
- *Le Signaleur* (1997), as L'organisateur
- *Hikers* (1997), as Éric Jacquemart
- *Just for Laughs* (1997), as L'innocent
- *Mr. Manatane's Notebooks* (1997), series, as Monsieur Manatane · Creator
- *Jamais au grand jamais !* (1996), series, as Monsieur Manatane · Writer, Creator
- *L'Année des Guignols - Les Voleurs de patates* (1996), as (voice)
- *L'Année des Guignols - Du cul, du cul, du cul !* (1996), as Multiples voix
- *Modèle déposé* (1995), as René Altrus · Writer, Director
- *Man Bites Dog* (1992), as Ben · Screenplay, Producer, Director — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/man-bites-dog.md)
- *Beware of the Ravens* (1989), as The director
- *No C4 for Daniel Daniel* (1987), as Daniel Daniel · Director, Writer
- *Mama's Lover* (1987), Actor
- *Podium - Version Longue*, as Bernard Frédéric
- *Démodé*, Actor
- *Pourquoi pas nous ?*, Actor
- *Le Serpent majuscule*, as Henri
- *La reconnaissance*, Actor
- *Le Palmier*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Poelvoorde à l'avant première du film Astérix en 2008.](https://film.one/media/person/81697/gallery-1a307f429685.jpg) Poelvoorde à l'avant première du film Astérix en 2008. — Michaël Bemelmans, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/BENOIT_POELVOORDE_2008.jpg/1280px-BENOIT_POELVOORDE_2008.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Benoît Poelvoorde at the France Bleu Auxerre radio station during the eighth music and cinema festival of Auxerre (France). (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/81697/gallery-c209b983d268.jpg) Benoît Poelvoorde at the France Bleu Auxerre radio station during the eighth music and cinema festival of Auxerre (France). (2007) — Benoît Derrier, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Benoit_Poelvoorde_20071116_France_Bleu_Auxerre.jpg/1280px-Benoit_Poelvoorde_20071116_France_Bleu_Auxerre.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Benoit Poelvoorde au festival du film de Cabourg (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/81697/gallery-c0e2f9ced256.jpg) Benoit Poelvoorde au festival du film de Cabourg (2018) — Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Benoit_Poelvoorde_Cabourg_2018.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Benoît Poelvoorde lors de la présentation de son nouveau film: Les 2 mondes](https://film.one/media/person/81697/gallery-8f03313d2c12.jpg) Benoît Poelvoorde lors de la présentation de son nouveau film: Les 2 mondes — Dell'Aiera Pol, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Beno%C3%AEtPoelvoorde.jpg/1280px-Beno%C3%AEtPoelvoorde.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Benoît Poelvoorde](https://film.one/media/person/81697/gallery-837dc809e256.jpg) Benoît Poelvoorde — Image via TMDB
- ![Benoît Poelvoorde](https://film.one/media/person/81697/gallery-56b884da411d.jpg) Benoît Poelvoorde — Image via TMDB
- ![Benoît Poelvoorde](https://film.one/media/person/81697/gallery-1a17f06b80d5.jpg) Benoît Poelvoorde — Image via TMDB
- ![Édouard Baer et Benoît Poelvoorde au festival de Cabourg (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/81697/gallery-2645951e4ed3.jpg) Édouard Baer et Benoît Poelvoorde au festival de Cabourg (2018) — Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/Cabourg_2018_4.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Guillaume Canet, Leïla Bekhti, Gilles Lellouche, Virginie Efira et Benoît Poelvoorde lors de la présentation du film "Le Grand bain" au festival de Cannes (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/81697/gallery-2be9579d91a9.jpg) Guillaume Canet, Leïla Bekhti, Gilles Lellouche, Virginie Efira et Benoît Poelvoorde lors de la présentation du film "Le Grand bain" au festival de Cannes (2018) — Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Cannes_2018_7.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Other awards — 2 won, 3 nominated

- European Film Award – People's Choice Award for Best European Film 2019: European Film Award – People's Choice Award for Best European Film (nominated), for *Sink or Swim*
- Knight of the Order of Leopold 2005: Knight of the Order of Leopold (won)
- European Film Award for Best Achievement 1993: European Film Award for Best Achievement (nominated), for *Man Bites Dog*
- Young European Film of the Year 1993: Young European Film of the Year (nominated), for *Man Bites Dog*
- Sitges Film Festival Best Actor award 1992: Sitges Film Festival Best Actor award (won), for *Man Bites Dog*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/benoit-poelvoorde