Benoît Poelvoorde Biography: Movies, Age, Height, Wife, Awards, Ethnicity, Net Worth

Benoît Poelvoorde, is a renowned Belgian actor, comedian, screenwriter, director, and producer.

He exploded onto screens with the shocking mockumentary Man Bites Dog (1992), playing a charismatic serial killer that shocked festivals and launched his cult status.

Poelvoorde’s multifaceted talents shone in blockbusters like Podium (2004) as a Claude François impersonator, earning César nods, and comedies such as Les Émotifs Anonymes (2010) and Nothing to Declare (2010), which packed theaters across Europe.

His dramatic turns in Entre ses Mains (2005), The Grand Soir (2012)—Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury Prize winner—and arthouse gems like Au Poste! (2018) revealed profound depth, blending vulnerability with explosive charisma.

Profile

• Full Name: Benoît Poelvoorde
• Stage Name: Benoît Poelvoorde
• Born: 22 September, 1964
• Age: 61 years old
• Birthplace: Namur, Belgium
• Nationality: Belgian
• Occupation: Actor, comedian, screenwriter, director, producer
• Height: 1.84m
• Parents: Jacqueline Poelvoorde-Pappaert
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Coralie (m. 1992-2014)
• Partner: Chiara Mastroianni (2013-2024)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Benoît Poelvoorde was born on September 22, 1964, in Namur, Belgium, where his mother Jacqueline Poelvoorde-Pappaert ran an epicerie and his father worked as a driver until passing away while Benoît was young.

He might have had siblings but details about them are unknown. He trained in applied arts at the Félicien Rops Technical Institute in Namur, then pursued graphic design at the École de Recherche Graphique (ERG) in Brussels, channeling creativity into early comedic sketches and short films. He is of Walloon background, with no publicly known religion.

Career

Benoît Poelvoorde burst forth with Man Bites Dog (C’est arrivé près de chez vous, 1992), co-writing, co-directing, and starring as the chilling yet hilarious serial killer Ben, a low-budget sensation that snagged the André Cavens Award and Cannes critics’ buzz for its savage satire on media violence.

He followed with comic gems like Les Randonneurs (1999) and Le Boulet (2002), honing his manic persona in France while diving into TV series on Canal+. Podium (2004) exploded as a box-office hit, his Claude François doppelgänger earning a César Best Actor nomination and solidifying mainstream fame.

Early theater and shorts at collective Béavis et Boukhan hones his sketch comedy roots, blending absurdity with biting social jabs that packed Belgian clubs and laid groundwork for cinematic chaos.

Poelvoorde dominated 2000s screens with Le Vélo de Ghislain Lambert (2001), snagging the Jean Gabin Prize, then pivoted to drama in Entre ses Mains (2005) opposite Isabelle Carré for another César nod.

Blockbusters like Podium propelled him to stardom, while Akoibon (2005) and romances showcased range. The Alzheimer Affair (2003) and Loft (2008) franchises boosted his action cred, with remakes echoing his pull.

Romantics Anonymous (2010) and Nothing to Declare (2010) racked laughs and receipts, as Cannes honors for The Grand Soir (2012) affirmed arthouse chops. Directing Nouvelle Malchance (2005) and producing underscored his hyphenate prowess across genres.

Benoît Poelvoorde powers recent slate with Beating Hearts (2024), Savages (2024), and Headwind (2024), blending voice work in Mutang with leads in La Brosse and A Wonderful Girl (2023).

Quentin Dupieux absurdities like Au Poste! (2018) and Fumer fait tousser (2022) deliver cult laughs, while Trois Cœurs (2014) and Le Tout Nouveau Testament (2015) probe emotional depths.

César bids, Magrittes, and box-office endurance reflect mastery, from graphic novel adaptations to festive cameos. Poelvoorde shapes Franco-Belgian cinema through fearless risks, mentoring talents, and a legacy of unbridled, genre-defying force.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @benoitpoelvoorde

Personal Life

Benoît Poelvoorde married Coralie in 1992, ending the union in 2014 after two decades. He dated actress Chiara Mastroianni from 2013 until their reported split in 2024.

Poelvoorde guards family privacy fiercely, channeling personal losses like his father’s early death into raw performances. He embraces a bohemian routine in Brussels, blending film sets with artistic pursuits and low-key joys away from paparazzi glare.

Filmography

• Man Bites Dog (1992)
• Les Randonneurs (1999)
• Le Boulet (2002)
• Podium (2004)
• Entre ses Mains (2005)
• Romantics Anonymous (2010)
• Nothing to Declare (2010)
• The Grand Soir (2012)
• Au Poste! (2018)
• Beating Hearts (2024)

Net Worth

Benoît Poelvoorde has an estimated net worth of $5 million. Blockbuster leads in Podium, Loft, and Nothing to Declare, plus residuals from international remakes, anchor his fortune.

Directing credits, producing ventures, and César-nominated dramas like Entre ses Mains generate robust earnings in Europe’s vibrant film market.