José van Dam
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- August 25, 1940 in Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Age
- 86
- Active Years
- 1973–2011 (39 Years)
- Total Credits
- 28 credits in database
Biography
Joseph, Baron Van Damme, known professionally as José van Dam, was a Belgian bass-baritone born on August 25, 1940, in Brussels. Described as an excellent actor with a magnificent resonant and expressive voice, he entered the Brussels Royal Conservatory at age 17 to study with Frederic Anspach, graduating a year later with diplomas in voice and opera performance. He began his career at the Paris Opera, where he debuted as Don Basilio in Il Barbiere di Siviglia in 1961. He remained with the company until 1965, when he performed the role of Escamillo in Carmen. Van Dam maintained an international career and appeared in 28 known credits. He died on February 17, 2026, in Croatia.
Career overview
Joseph, Baron Van Damme, known professionally as José van Dam, was a Belgian bass-baritone born on August 25, 1940, in Brussels, Belgium, and died on February 17, 2026. He was described as having a magnificent resonant and expressive voice and being an excellent actor. At the age of 17, he entered the Brussels Royal Conservatory and studied with Frederic Anspach. A year later, he graduated with diplomas and first prizes in voice and opera performance.
He made his opera debut as the music teacher Don Basilio in Gioacchino Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia at the Paris Opera in 1961. He remained in the company until 1965, when he sang his first major role, Escamillo from Bizet's Carmen. Following this, he sang for two seasons at Geneva, La Scala, and Covent Garden, beginning an international career.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
28 titles- Amours divins ! (2016) as Self - Chanteur
- Ariane et Barbe-Bleue (2011) as Barbe Bleue
- José van Dam in “Don Quichotte” - His farewell to the stage (2010)
- Don Quichotte (2010) as Don Quichotte
- Beethoven · Missa Solemnis (Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan) (2008) as Self
- Prokofiev - L'Amour des trois oranges (2007) as Tchélio
- Karajan - Bruckner - Symphonies Nos. 8 & 9 (2007) as Self
- Louise - Opera National de Paris (2007) as The father
- Man of La Mancha (1998) as Don Quixote / Cervantes
- Verdi: Don Carlos (1996) as Philippe II
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann (1993) as Lindorf / Coppélius / Miracle / Dapertutto
- Letter to Peter (1992) as Self - Bass-Baritone
- The Damnation of Faust (1989) as Mephistopheles (baritono)
- The Music Teacher (1988) as Joachim Dallayrac
- Le monde est à vous (1987) as Self
- Falstaff (1987) as Sir John Falstaff
- Pelléas et Mélisande (1987) as Golaud
- Babel opéra, ou la répétition de Don Juan de Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1985) as Don Giovanni
- Herbert von Karajan: Verdi: Requiem (1984) as Self - Bass Baritone
- Don Giovanni (1979) as Leporello
- Il Trovatore - Verdi (1978) as Ferrando
- Karajan Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem (1978) as Self
- Beethoven Symphony No. 9 (1977) as Self
- The Berliner Philharmoniker’s New Year’s Eve Concert: 1977 (1977) as Self - Bass
- Mahler - Symphonies Nos. 7 & 8 (1975) as Self
- Otello (1973) as Lodovico
- Le Grand Échiquier (1972) as Self
- Offenbach - Les contes d'Hoffmann as Coppélius / Miracle / Dapertutto
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is José van Dam best known for?
José van Dam is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Le monde est à vous (1987), Les Brigades du Tigre (1974), Le Grand Échiquier (1972).
When and where was José van Dam born?
José van Dam was born on August 25, 1940 in Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium.
How many credits does José van Dam have?
José van Dam has 28 film and television credits listed on archytele, with work dated between 1973 and 2011.
What is José van Dam's background in cinema and television?
Joseph, Baron Van Damme, known professionally as José van Dam, was a Belgian bass-baritone born on August 25, 1940, in Brussels. Described as an excellent actor with a magnificent resonant and expressive voice, he entered the Brussels Royal Conservatory at age 17 to study with Frederic Anspach, graduating a year later ...
José van Dam by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Le Grand Échiquier (1972) as Self — aged about 31
- Le monde est à vous (1987) as Self — aged about 46
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