Age: 61
male
Benoît Poelvoorde is a Belgian actor, comedian, and filmmaker, born on September 22, 1964, in Namur, Belgium. He first gained recognition with the cult film C'est arrivé près de chez vous (1992), a darkly comedic mockumentary where he played a serial killer with unsettling charm. This film launched his career and established his unique blend of humor and intensity. Throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, Poelvoorde became a staple of Franco-Belgian cinema, starring in comedies like Les Randonneurs (1997), Le Vélo de Ghislain Lambert (2001), and Podium (2004), where he portrayed an obsessive Claude François impersonator—a role that earned him a César nomination. His versatility allowed him to transition into more dramatic roles, such as Entre ses mains (2005) and Coco avant Chanel (2009), where he starred alongside Audrey Tautou. In recent years, Poelvoorde has continued to balance absurdist comedy (Au poste !, Fumer fait tousser) with auteur-driven projects (Le Tout Nouveau Testament, Saint-Amour). His ability to oscillate between slapstick humor and introspective performances makes him one of the most distinctive actors in European cinema
Benoît Poelvoorde
Vincent Laroche
for Vincent Laroche in The Generous Pauper
Suggested by jakubduda
John H. Pendleton is a wealthy guy but he searching for happiness. Harry Redenbacher is a sad man who has lost faith in the world. Burdened by hardships and witnessing the suffering around him, he cries out to God for answers. The next day, Harry stumbles upon a credit card belonging to Pendleton. Seeing this as a sign, Harry begins using the card, not for himself but to help others in desperate need. Pendleton reports the stolen card, prompting an investigation led by the quirky, determined Detective Lou Kramer. Charges are brought against Harry. As his acts of kindness ripple through community, John learns about the lives his stolen money has touched. They finally tracks Harry down, he’s prepared for anger, prison. But after seeing those Harry helped and hearing their stories, he softens. Pendleton invites him to a private meeting, where they share their stories. Pendleton publicly forgives him and praises him for his good heart. Harry, humbled and emotional, asks Pendleton why he’s dropping the charges. "You robbed the wrong guy, Harry. I already am a giving person. All you did were good, unselfish and I respect that. You reminded me what it’s all about here." John then announces a partnership with Harry to create a foundation for those in need. The final scene features Harry and John standing on the steps of the newly opened foundation, with Harry saying, "I didn’t think I’d find hope in a credit card." Pendleton replies, "Sometimes, God works in mysterious ways."
