Walter Michiels

Walter Michiels is a Flemish actor, best remembered in the Dutch speaking part of Belgium for suffering one of the most epoch-making mental breakdowns as a public figure that Europe has probably seen. He played the ironically iconic character Pico Coppens in the sitcom F.C. De Kampioenen (1990), before he infamously fell upon hard times due to an alcohol addiction and subsequent mental health problems. As a result, he lost all his local fame and fortune. Considered a promising actor in the early 1990s, he established himself along 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 the day, 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. Michiels was fired after four seasons. His portrayal of Pico - a role given to Peter van Asbroeck at first, who was unable due to physical problems - would eventually become Michiels's only significant work. As late as 2022, he lived at the bottom of Belgian society having been homeless for almost ten years coming into contact with police and judiciary almost constantly.