Ernest Claes was born on October 24, 1885 in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, Flanders, Belgium. He was a writer and actor, known for De witte (1934), Uilenspiegel Still Lives (1935) and Whitey (1980). He was previously married to Stephanie Claes-Vetter. He died on September 2, 1968 in Uccle, Brussels, Belgium.