Gaston Berghmans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gaston Berghmans
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| Born | 11 March 1926 Merksem, Belgium
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| Died | 21 May 2016 (aged 90) Schoten, Belgium
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| Occupation | Actor, comedian |
| Children | 1 |
Gaston Petrus Bernardina Berghmans (born March 11, 1926 – died May 21, 2016) was a very popular Belgian actor and comedian. He was best known for being part of the famous comedy duo "Gaston and Leo" with Leo Martin. They made people laugh together from 1972 to 1993.
Contents
Early Life
Gaston Berghmans was the older of two children. His sister, Paula, was four years younger. She moved to the U.S. in 1959. Gaston's father worked as a diamond cutter. His mother helped out in her sister's butcher shop.
Starting His Career
Gaston started performing at the Ancienne Belgique concert hall. This was a famous place for shows. He got married in 1960, and his daughter was born in 1961.
First Steps in Movies
In the late 1950s, Gaston also started acting in movies. These films were directed by a Flemish comedian named Jan Vanderheyden. Some of his early movies included:
- Een zonde waard (meaning "Worth a sin")
- Den duivel te slim (meaning "Too smart for the devil")
- Hoe zotter hoe liever (meaning "The crazier the better")
- De stille genieter (meaning "The quiet enjoyer")
These movies were very popular in Flanders. They helped Gaston become even more famous and busy.
The Famous Duo: Gaston and Leo
Gaston first met Leo Martin in 1957. They met at the Billiard Palace, where Leo's orchestra played music. Leo played the saxophone and clarinet. Gaston would perform funny skits with him. In the 1960s, Leo started his own orchestra. This made it easier for Gaston to join him for performances. Their skits were often funny introductions to Leo's musical parts. These early shows were the start of their amazing double act as Gaston and Leo.
In 1972, Leo's band stopped playing together. That's when Gaston and Leo officially became a super successful comedy duo.
TV Success with BRT
From 1972, Gaston and Leo also became stars on TV. They appeared on the state-owned Belgian TV network, BRT. They even had special New Year's Eve shows that everyone loved.
They also made four movies together:
- The boat to Spain (1982), directed by Willy Vanduren
- Thugs (1984), directed by Robbe De Hert
- The Panic Sowers (1986), directed by Patrick Lebon
- Gaston en Leo in Hong Kong (1988), directed by Paul Cammermans
Moving to VTM
Later, Gaston and Leo moved to a new TV channel called vtm. This was a commercial TV station.
Sadly, both comedians faced health problems. Gaston had to deal with cancer. Leo Martin got lung cancer and passed away on March 18, 1993. Just six months before, they had appeared in a VTM show. It was called 20 years of Gaston and Leo.
Life After Leo
Leo Martin's death was very hard for Gaston. He felt that no one could ever replace his comedy partner. On December 6, 2006, when Gaston turned 80, VTM aired a special show. It was called Gaston 80. In 2008, he appeared in the movie Christmas in Paris. This movie was not very successful.
In 2005, Gaston was ranked number 459 in the Flemish version of The Greatest Belgian. This was a list of famous Belgians. In 2006, King Albert II gave Gaston a special award. He was named Commander in the Order of the Crown. On March 27, 2009, Gaston Berghmans received the Flemish TV Stars Career Star 2009 award. This was at a special gala event.
Gaston's Movies
Here is a list of movies Gaston Berghmans appeared in:
- Christmas in Paris (2008)
- Dief! (1998) as Bompa Van Reeth
- She Good Fighter (1995) as Rick
- Gaston en Leo in Hong Kong (1988) as Gaston
- Paniekzaaiers (1986) as Gaston
- Zware jongens (1984) as Gaston Berghmans
- De Witte van Sichem (1980) as Nand
- Pallieter (1976) as Veldwachter
- De stille genieter (1961) as Gaston Somers
- De Duivel te slim (1960) as Pol
- Hoe zotter, hoe liever (1960) as Mil
- Een Zonde waard (1959) as Tony Dertien
