Jan Hammenecker (born 24 January 1968, Ostend, Belgium) is a critical acclaimed Belgian character actor of Flemish origin, starring in French, Dutch and English-speaking productions. Hammenecker trained at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Antwerp and the Kleine Academie in Brussels.

He made his film debut starring as ‘Bobo’ in the Belgian movie « Max & Bobo »(Frédéric Fonteyne -1992), for which he receives the Interpretation Award at the Eurofilm Festival in Luhacovice(Czech Republic).

Hammenecker is perhaps best known in Belgium for his role as the notorious ‘Big Dick’ in Koen Mortier’s cult movie « ExDrummer » (2007).
His diverse film work includes « Kings and Queen » by Arnaud Desplechin, « When the Sea Rises » by Yolande Moreau and Gilles Porte, « Mr. Nobody » by Jaco Van Dormael, « The Family » by Luc Besson, in the Oscar-nominated « The Broken Circle Breakdown » by Felix van Groeningen, « The Beast » by Hans Herbots  and « Home » by Fien Troch.

His performance in « Tango Libre » (Frédéric Fonteyne, 2013) was rewarded with a nomination as «Best Actor» for the Magritte Awards of Belgian Cinema 2014.

TV credits include « Spiral » (french: Engrenages), « Missing Persons Unit », « Pigalle, by night »,  « Signature » and « Witnesses » (french: Les Témoins) created by Hervé Hadmar & Marc Herpoux. He stars as the well beloved sidekick character of ‘Justin’ in both seasons of « Witnesses’« , a “nordic thriller”, that is aired in more than 70 countries (Netflix, BBC 4) 

Recently he received wide acclaim for his role as ‘Charles Van Praet’ in Willem Wallyn’s Flemish television series “De 16”.

Hammenecker stars in the international award-winning television series by Kaat Beels and Nathalie Basteyns « Beau Séjour »(Netflix).

He  guest-starred in an episode of the second season of « Ransom », a drama television serie, created by David Vainola and produced by Frank Spotnitz for CBS.

He played in the TV series “The Inside Game” (Jeux d’influence) by the Oscar-winning French director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade (The Staircase) that has been broadcast on Arte.

He also appeared as Interpol agent « de Roon »  in the new action drama TV series “Treadstone” created by Tim Kring (Heroes) for USA Network.

In the 2019-2020 season he played the leading role in the French stage version of « Linda Vista » by Tracy Letts.

His performance in « All of Us  » (Willem Wallyn, 2020) was rewarded with an Ensor-nomination as «Best Actor» at the annual Belgian Flemish Film Awards 2021.

He starred as the lead police detective, in the Italian, high-tension thriller « The Shift«  (2021), Alessandro Tonda’s (Gomorra, Suburra, Romanzo Criminale) feature debut.

Still en tour for the coming seasons throughout France with « La Mouche » , who won the coveted French Molière Award 2020 for Best Play.

He stars in a supporting role in Tran Anh Hung’s culinary period drama « The Taste of Things » alongside Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel. The film will be France’s contender for the Oscars in 2024.