Urbanus

Urbanus

Born 1949-06-07 (age 76) Sint-Gertrudis-Pede, Flanders, Belgium
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Biography

Urbain Servranckx (born 7 June 1949), better known as Urbanus, is a Belgian comedian, actor, singer and comic book writer. Although he is most famous as comedian, some of his songs became hits, such as Bakske vol met stro (1979), Madammen met een bontjas (1980) and Hittentit (1982). In Flanders and the Netherlands Urbanus is one of the most popular and famous entertainers of all time.

Urbanus, artist's name of Urbain Joseph Servranckx (Dilbeek, 7 June 1949) is a Belgian comedian, singer, guitarist, author of comic books and actor. Originally he used the artist name: Urbanus van Anus. Anus was the name of his former backing group. In 1973 he began performing cabaret and comedy. He became popular in Flanders and managed to duplicate his success in the Netherlands, building a steady career since. He has appeared in TV shows, some which he wrote himself. Urbanus released several musical singles, some of which entered the hit parade. His Christmas song Bakske Vol Met Stro (1979) was controversial for lampooning the biblical story of the birth of Jesus, but also became his signature song and best-selling record for the very same reasons. Urbanus considers himself an atheist, although he wed in the Roman Catholic Church and had his children baptized. In 2008, he was awarded the Prize for Liberty by the Flemish think tank Nova Civitas.

Urbanus starred in three films: Hector (1987), Koko Flanel (1990) and Seventh Heaven (1993). The two first films were the leaders in the Flemish box offices for many years. His first movie, Hector, directed by Stijn Coninx, won the 1988 international comedy film festival in Chamrousse, France. He also was named best actor by Radio France and Dauphiné Libéré. Seventh Heaven was a box office bomb. In Flanders and the Netherlands Urbanus is well-known and very popular since 1974. Although he is most famous as a comedian, some of his songs became hits, such as Bakske vol met stro (1979), Madammen met een bontjas (1980) and Hittentit (1982).Urbanus lend his voice to the Flemish versions of the Pixar movies, Cars and Cars 2, where he was the voice of the character Mater.

Urbanus is script writer of a comics series about a childlike version of himself, Urbanus, which debuted in 1982. The series is drawn by Willy Linthout and from the third story on, Urbanus started providing the scenarios.The comic strip managed to become the longest-running series in the celebrity-inspired genre and new albums are still published to this day.The comics also sell well in the Netherlands.

Urbanus also writes the gags for the satirical comic De Geverniste Vernepelingskes (1998), which pokes fun at several Flemish celebrities. It was first drawn by Jan Bosschaert, then Dirk Stallaert and finally Steven Dupré. Urbanus also writes gags for the children's comics Plankgas en Plastronneke (2004–2008) and Mieleke Melleke Mol (since 2003), both drawn by Dirk Stallaert.

Urbanus has also drawn some gag comics himself. He also illustrated many of his own album covers.

Source: Article "Urbanus" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.

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Known For

Niko and the Way to the Stars
Niko and the Way to the Stars

2008

as Julius (dutch dub)

Hector
Hector

1987

as Hector

The Dark Diamond
The Dark Diamond

2004

as Sjaak (herbergier)

Mega Mindy: The Black Crystal
Mega Mindy: The Black Crystal

2010

as Sultan van Zahambra

Misstakes
Misstakes

2000

as Self

Seventh Heaven
Seventh Heaven

1993

as Samuel

Cash for Trash
Cash for Trash

2019

as Urbanus (voice)

Koko Flanel
Koko Flanel

1990

as Placide Smellekens

K3: The Ice Princess
K3: The Ice Princess

2006

as Tovenaar

Les Sept Péchés capitaux
Les Sept Péchés capitaux

1992

as Le bouffon

The Cheerful Rascal
The Cheerful Rascal

1992

as Urbanus

Urbanus: Live & in 't echt
Urbanus: Zelf!
Urbanus: Zelf!

2017

as Urbanus

Urbanus Van Anus
Urbanus Van Anus

1980

as Urbanus