Whodunit Wednesday - Look familiar?

Although both The Netherlands and Belgium are quite small countries, they have and continue to contribute to the ranks fo famous people in the world. Of course, within the countries there are far more Belgiands and Dutch actors and musicians who are famous or recognized. But even in the wider world many of these names will be known. 

In Music

Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone around 1840. Anyone who loves sax music can thank this Belgian for his contribution (which carries his name). A well-known jazz sax player is Candy Dulfer, a Dutch woman. And staying in the jazz and blues tones, anyone who has ever heard a harmonica knows the name of legendary Belgian Toots Thielemans. 

But there are all types of music in the world. DJ Tiësto was one of the first and most well-known dj’s. He is a Dutchman. These days, you might listen to the Belgian Charlotte de Witte when listening to a dj set. Some other well-known Belgian artists are Angele and Stromae. 

Even when we move to different genres and times, we find Belgians and Dutchmen. Goerge Baker (Una Paloma Blanca) was from The Netherlands, as is country singer Ilse de Lange. For those who like classical music, Andre Rieu tours the world with his  orchestra getting people from Australia to Switzerland to sing along and start a waltz. He is from right here in Maastricht. 

In Film

For those watching the screen (or the small screen) there are also plenty of Dutch and Belgians actors. Some are more recognizable than others. Most people know that Jean-Claude van Damme is Belgian. He is called “the muscles from Brussels”. But perhaps people didn’t know that Veerle Baetens and her co-star in Broken Circle Breakdown are Belgian. Matthias Schoenaerts from “Rust and Bone” and “The Danish Girl” is also Belgian. 

Most people will definitely know Famke Janssen, either from the X-men or as a James Bond badgirl. She is a more recent Dutch actress. Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner) and Jeroen Krabbé (Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Bond baddie, The Fugitive) have been representing The Netherlands on the silver screen for quite some time. Most recently perhaps has been Carine Van Houten in Game of Thrones.