François Beukelaers

François Beukelaers
Born(1938-02-02)2 February 1938
Vilvoorde, Belgium
DiedFebruary 2026(2026-02-00) (aged 87–88)
EducationStudio Herman Teirlinck
OccupationsActor, stage director, singer, educator
Years active1965–2026
AwardsLifetime Achievement Award, Ostend Film Festival (2023)

François Beukelaers (2 February 1938 – February 2026) was a Belgian actor, stage director and singer.

Life and career

Beukelaers was born in Vilvoorde on 2 February 1938. Herman Teirlinck convinced him to study theatre at the studio of the National Theatre in Antwerp, later called the Studio Herman Teirlinck. He later became a teacher at the same studio (whose students included Johan Leysen, Dirk Roofthoeft and Jean Bervoets), and also taught directing at the theatre school INSAS.[1]

In 1965, Beukelaers made his debut as a professional director at the Antwerp KNS with Thornton Wilder's "Our Town".[2]

Throughout his career, he acted in a number of feature films, including Brussels by Night (1983), The Over-the-Hill Band (2009) and Stormforce (2006).

Beukelaers received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Ostend Film Festival.[3]

On 4 February 2026, it was announced that Beukelaers had died at the age of 88.[1]

Filmography

Films

References

  1. ^ a b Bonneure, Kristien. "Acteur François Beukelaers (88) overleden, de antiheld uit 'Brussels by night'". VRT. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  2. ^ "Wie vindt dat hij niets meer kan bijleren, moet maar op zijn sokkel gaan staan". Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  3. ^ "Lifetime Achievement François Beukelaers". filmfestivaloostende (in Dutch).