Urbanus

• Name — Urbain Servranckx • Born — 7 June 1949 • Birthplace — Dilbeek, Belgium • Other Names — Urbain, Urbanus van Anus • Occupation — Actor, comedian, singer

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. Urbain went solo in 1974 under the name Urbanus van Anus. After the then BRT (Belgian Radio and Television) asked him for a comic act, he dropped the name "van Anus" and since then it has been simply Urbanus. The first cover of Urbanus live was also drawn by Daniël Geirnaert. 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 De Zevende Hemel. 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 lent his voice to the Flemish versions of the Pixar movies, Cars and Cars 2, where he was the voice of the character Mater. In 2019 the animated movie Urbanus: De Vuilnisheld released in theaters. This movie was based on the comics series about a childlike version of Urbanus himself. It is an original story and not based on any of the comic issues. Urbanus co-wrote the movie and also voiced his movie counterpart.

• Illustration — Statue in Middelkerke of Urbanus' comics version 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. In 2022, after 40 years and 201 albums, it was decided to stop the comic series. 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.

• Illustration — Urbanus in 1979 • Year — Album — Peak positions — Note • BEL (FL) — NLD • 1974 — Urbanus van Anus leevend • 1975 — Urbanus van anus in de weide / op de vijver • 1977 — Drie sprookjes • 1978 — Volle maan • 1979 — Is er toevallig een Urbanus in de zaal? — 24 — Live album • 1982 — Urbanus VI — 20 — Live album • 1983 — Tien jaar live — 26 — Live album / Compilation album • 1985 — Urbanus' plezantste — 10 — Live album / Compilation album • Donders en bliksems • 1986 — In 't echt! — 31 — Live album • 1995 — Iedereen beroemd • 2007 — Urbanus Vobiscum — Tribute album • 2010 — Wie dit leest is zot! — 7 • 2011 — Goe poeier! — 2 • 2013 — Wan troe tie! — 4 • 2016 — Urbanus zelf! – Theatertoer 2013–2015 — 54 • 2017 — De Legende — 16 • 2019 — Trecto Pnix — 53 • 2022 — In roer en rep — 23 • 2024 — Eigen favoliedjes — 14 • 2026 — Hartverwarmende liedjes — 178

• Illustration — Urbanus in 1985 • Year — Album — Peak positions — Notes • BEL (FL) Ultratop 50 — BEL (FL) Ultratip — NLD Dutch Top 40 — NLD Single Top 100 • 1979 — "Een Bakske vol met stro" — 1 • 1980 — "Quand les zosiaux chantent dans le bois" — 3 • 1982 — "Kodazuur" — 39 — 50 • 1982 — "Hittentit" — 24 — 50 • 1983 — "Awel Mercie" — 27 • 1984 — "Scratchin' zwaantjes" — 10 • 1994 — "Poesje stoei" — 8 — 15 — 12 • 1995 — "De paashaas" — 12 • 2007 — "CO2 prostituee" — 16 • 2013 — "Zetpilcar" — 2 — with Isolde Lasoen

Urbanus worked as singer, guitarist, actor and cabaret performer, and the authority record catalogues a further 7 occupations under the same name, among them songwriter, comics artist, film actor, singer-songwriter, recording artist and comics writer. Urbanus played the guitar and the voice. Urbanus worked in Dutch.