Walter Michiels(1963-2026)
- Actor
Former Flemish actor Walter Michiels graduated from Royal Conservatory Antwerp in 1988. Remembered in the Dutch speaking part of Belgium, he suffered from an epoch-making breakdown in the 2000s. From 1990 to 1993, he played the ironically iconic character Hippoliet "Pico" Coppens in the sitcom F.C. De Kampioenen (1990) before he fell upon hard times due to an alcohol and drug addiction, which led to his dismissal, and subsequent mental health problems.
Considered a promising actor in the early 1990s, he established himself alongside contemporaries such as Koen De Bouw, Filip Peeters and Michael Pas. He starred in the show's early stages, from 1990 until 1993. Back in that time, the show quickly reached the peak of its popularity. He will likely forever be remembered since the titles he appears in generally enjoy iconic status in Flanders, often attributed to of his own, Jacques Vermeire's and Carry Goossens's contributions.
He was fired from F.C. De Kampioenen after four seasons. His portrayal of Pico Coppens, a part given to Peter Van Asbroeck at first but who was unable to due to physical problems, would become Michiels's only significant work.
He became a drug dealer years after his dismissal. He was convicted to 18 months in prison for selling drugs to minors in 2002, controversially displaying indifferent attitude in a Flemish documentary. In 2004, Belgian Court recommended an internment for Michiels. As late as 2023, he lived at the bottom of Belgian society, homeless for almost ten years, and came into contact with police and judiciary almost constantly. He was in a relationship with his co-star Ann Tuts. They separated in 1994.
Considered a promising actor in the early 1990s, he established himself alongside contemporaries such as Koen De Bouw, Filip Peeters and Michael Pas. He starred in the show's early stages, from 1990 until 1993. Back in that time, the show quickly reached the peak of its popularity. He will likely forever be remembered since the titles he appears in generally enjoy iconic status in Flanders, often attributed to of his own, Jacques Vermeire's and Carry Goossens's contributions.
He was fired from F.C. De Kampioenen after four seasons. His portrayal of Pico Coppens, a part given to Peter Van Asbroeck at first but who was unable to due to physical problems, would become Michiels's only significant work.
He became a drug dealer years after his dismissal. He was convicted to 18 months in prison for selling drugs to minors in 2002, controversially displaying indifferent attitude in a Flemish documentary. In 2004, Belgian Court recommended an internment for Michiels. As late as 2023, he lived at the bottom of Belgian society, homeless for almost ten years, and came into contact with police and judiciary almost constantly. He was in a relationship with his co-star Ann Tuts. They separated in 1994.
