Peter Van den Begin

Peter Van den Begin is a renowned Belgian actor and director whose career spans over four decades, beginning in the early 1980s when he first stepped onto the stage in productions such as De Straat by Ronald Van Rillaer, Droomspel with the Mannen van den Dam troupe, and De getemde feeks at TheaterMalpertuis. From these modest beginnings he quickly earned a reputation for his intense, nuanced performances, and he soon joined the Blauwe Maandag Compagnie, where he tackled challenging roles in All for Love, Joko, and the provocative Vrijen met dieren. His theatrical repertoire continued to expand throughout the 1990s and 2000s, leading to celebrated collaborations with the Olympique Dramatique & Toneelhuis on the critically acclaimed play Risjaar Drei, a role that would later bring him unprecedented recognition. In addition to his stage work, Van den Begin has become a fixture in Belgian cinema, delivering memorable performances in a variety of films, most notably his award‑winning lead in the 2016 satirical adventure King of the Belgians. His versatility is further demonstrated by his work as a writer, co‑authoring several screenplays and theatrical pieces with fellow actor‑writer Stany Crets, thereby shaping contemporary Belgian storytelling from multiple angles. Off‑stage, Van den Begin shares a long‑term partnership with actress and singer‑songwriter Tine Reymer, with whom he has two daughters, balancing a demanding artistic life with family commitments. In 2017, his dual mastery of theatre and film was formally acknowledged at the 44th Gent Film Festival, where he received two distinct Flemish Actors' Guild awards—one for his theatrical portrayal in Risjaar Drei and another for his cinematic achievement in King of the Belgians. His continued involvement in both mediums, along with his contributions as a director and writer, underscores a dynamic career that remains influential in the Dutch‑speaking artistic community.