# Who is the most famous non-fictional Belgian? (updated) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 3, 2020, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651 "2020-11-03T15:10:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2020, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/61 "2020-11-04T20:48:54Z")
> [@peccavi](#): > > No love for Django Reinhardt? He would be my favorite, but alas jazz guitarists do not enjoy the degree of fame as muscle-bound action movie stars. ---
**Author:** ![DaphneBlack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daphneblack/32/5389_2.png) [@DaphneBlack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaphneBlack)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2020, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/62 "2020-11-04T21:12:20Z")
Well we might argue that the most famous German is in fact an Austrian… But yes, it is precisely because Belgium is small but surprisingly culturally relevant, and the odd fact that the two most famous Belgians are fictional. Poirot being Belgian is indeed a significant aspect of his character (he hates being assumed to be French). ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2020, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/63 "2020-11-04T21:37:24Z")
> [@DaphneBlack](#): > > Well we might argue that the most famous German is in fact an Austrian… Well sadly, he we won’t name would be also in the discussion for being the most German… 😩 ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2020, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/64 "2020-11-04T23:36:04Z")
I turned 64 today and am familiar with JCVD’s entire oeuvre ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2020, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/65 "2020-11-05T00:02:42Z")
And yet some people don’t want to admit that he is a well known even though he is winning the write in vote. 🤫 ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2020, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/66 "2020-11-05T00:59:26Z")
James Ensor! ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2020, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/67 "2020-11-05T03:26:08Z")
I am sure most Americans would pick JCVD as the most famous Belgian ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2020, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/68 "2020-11-05T04:26:07Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > Had to vote Eddie Mercx but historically King Leopold II will have been much more well known through history. Not a great person to have as your most famous though. Only one of the poll choices was known as The Cannibal. Another vote for Eddie Merckx, assuming this Mercx character is some sort of imposter. ---
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2020, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/69 "2020-11-05T06:21:44Z")
Maybe I’m wrong about JCvD. But I’m wary to use my personal taste as a benchmark for general preference. Personally I like action moveis and have watched several with HCvD (Timecop, anyone?). But in my social and professional environment _no–one_ ever mentions these kind of movies. Admittedly they may still be a guilty pleasure of many, but it is indicativel. Therefore that others find that JCvD is famous in their social environment may be insufficient if that is only localized. Particularly since, as others pointed out, he may lose visibility with the younger generation. I also have a hard time remembering recent movies (Expendables 2 was 2012, which is ancient history for teenagers). Fame is simply checkered; you may be famoous in some areas (social and geographical) while completely unknown elsewhere. ‘Big in Japan’, as the saying goes. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2020, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/70 "2020-11-05T08:02:01Z")
> [@Tusculan](#): > > Maybe I’m wrong about JCvD. But I’m wary to use my personal taste as a benchmark for general preference. I’m not using personal taste. I don’t watch “action” movies (unless one counts superhero and _F&F_ movies) I personally loathe JCVD and haven’t seen a movie with him in it (not counting voice acting) since … possibly _Street Fighter_? > [@](#): > > Personally I like action moveis and have watched several with HCvD (Timecop, anyone?). But in my social and professional environment _no–one_ ever mentions these kind of movies. Admittedly they may still be a guilty pleasure of many, but it is indicativel. Only of your own social milieu, which seemingly is also one where _everyone_ knows who Magritte is, and therefore, like I’ve said, probably _not_ very typical. Cheesy action movies are often referenced in my social circle. Granted, usually in an “ironic” manner, but they are a cultural touchstone. For instance, a running (or rather, driving) JCVD reference is a big part of the first season of _Sense8_, a popular Sci Fi TV series. That wouldn’t happen if everyone would go “who?” > [@](#): > > Therefore that others find that JCvD is famous in their social environment may be insufficient if that is only localized. Particularly since, as others pointed out, he may lose visibility with the younger generation. I also have a hard time remembering recent movies (Expendables 2 was 2012, which is ancient history for teenagers). I think you’re possibly a little out of touch with teenagers, if you think they’re _only_ into the latest thing. For instance - 90s retro is a big thing for teens (at least for the circle my own teenager hangs in) . And anyway, JCVD has done visible things since 2012, like his Amazon comedy series _Jean-Claude Van Johnson_. > [@](#): > > Fame is simply checkered; you may be famoous in some areas (social and geographical) while completely unknown elsewhere. ‘Big in Japan’, as the saying goes. That applies both ways - JCVD is huge in places you are discounting by only considering “the West”, like Africa. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/71 "2020-11-07T00:39:06Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > King Leopold II Born and died in Belgium, even though he was brought up in the UK. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/72 "2020-11-07T01:34:31Z")
Pro wrassler Karl Gotch, who could have tied Van Damm into knots. ---
**Author:** ![moes\_lotion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@moes\_lotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moes_lotion)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/73 "2020-11-07T05:57:44Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I was thinking beers. Or chocolate… ---
**Author:** ![glowacks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/glowacks/32/5548_2.png) [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/74 "2020-11-07T06:25:28Z")
I picked King Leopold because that was the first thing that came to my mind and that was an option so I didn’t look at the other options. I suspect a lot of people did this. Those that aren’t big on history probably looked at the list first before picking one, while those that are would have named Leopold immediately when they read “Famous (non-fictional) Belgian”. In an alternate universe where you presented a list of people to me and asked me which one was most famous, and then noted that, by the way, they’re all Belgians, I would have, and I suspect far more people would have as well, picked Magritte. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/75 "2020-11-07T06:41:01Z")
75 posts in, and I still don’t know who Magritte is. Art of some sort, I assume? (I am not a big art person.) ---
**Author:** ![moes\_lotion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@moes\_lotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moes_lotion)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/76 "2020-11-07T07:07:42Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > 75 posts in, and I still don’t know who Magritte is. Art of some sort, I assume? Rene Magritte, surrealist, lover of pipes and floating apples. You have almost certainly seen images of one or more of his paintings used somewhere. I scored a coffee-table sized book of his paintings at a yard sale many years ago and still enjoy leafing through it. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/77 "2020-11-07T07:09:04Z")
Apple-in-front-of-bowler-hat-guy? _\*off to wiki\*_ ETA: Indeed, knew him without knowing it… ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/78 "2020-11-07T07:42:19Z")
I’m very much big on history, and I’ve been to Belgium. I still picked Magritte and would have done so without the list - though JCVD would have come to mind too. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/79 "2020-11-15T04:04:28Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > If you know where Brussels is then you most likly know where Van Damne is from. Problem is most Americans don’t know where Brussels is . . . maybe in the vegetable aisle. I know Brussels from learning capitals in school, but did not know where JCVD was from. I actually would have voted for Leopold, but I didn’t since I wouldn’t have been able to come up with his name if not for the list. Since he was the best, I chose not to vote. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651/80 "2020-11-15T06:38:58Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > Leopold was barely known of outside Belgium until just a few short years ago, and asking people to get the right regnal number would be a challenge. He’s pretty infamous in Africa. I’ll admit I checked to make sure it wasn’t Leopold I or Leopold III who committed genocide. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-non-fictional-belgian-updated/924651.md?page=5)