Famous French Film & Theater Personalities
‘Lights, Camera & Action’ – With this begins a story that unfolds at various junctures, taking with it, its audience on a virtual tour of a paralleled world showcased by the actors. Films and stage shows are two of the most modern sources of entertainment that people today are glued to. Though all flashy and glamorous superficially, filmmaking is an intricate art that involves a lot of things than few people playing character actors. Right from director who conceptualizes a vision to screenwriter to pens the entire plot to art director who sets the look of each frame, action director who plans the fights and brawls to choreographers who make the artists dance to the tune and spot boys who help at various genres, there are a lot of artists involved in filmmaking. The French film industry, one amongst the world’s most renowned film industries, is home to some of the finest and most talented individuals who have helped French cinematic experience reach the zenith. With their strong sense of acumen, overpowering talent and insightful approach, they have managed to ring glory to French cinema. Some such personalities include Patrick Bokanowski, Anna Held, Audrey Tautou, Antonin Artaud, Avril Lavigne and so on. Check out this section for the life and works of French film and theatre personalities.
This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.
Vote for Your Favourite French Film & Theater Personalities
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: July 6, 1980
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Paris, France
French actress, Eva Green, gained instant fame in 2003 with her first film The Dreamers, directed by the eminent Bernardo Bertolucci. Subsequently she went on to act in a number of notable films like Kingdom of Heaven, Casino Royale, Dark Shadows, Home for Peculiar Children, Franklyn, Cracks and Proxima. She has also acted in television series like Penny Dreadful and Luminaries.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: July 1, 1985
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Passy, Paris, France
Léa Seydoux is a critically acclaimed French actress who gained international recognition after playing a Bond girl in Spectre. Also known for her modeling career, Seydoux has posed for popular magazines, such as Vogue, L'Officiel, and Numéro. She became the face of Prada's 2013 and 2014 campaign for its fragrances.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: September 30, 1975
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Paris, France
Marion Cotillard delivered an Academy Award-winning performance as Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose, becoming the first to win the award for a French-language film. She was appreciated for her iconic role of Joan of Arc on stage. She has promoted Lady Dior bags and Chanel No. 5 fragrance.
Celebrities Born On My Birthday?
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: January 4, 1996
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Le Mans, France
French-British actor Emma Mackey is best known for her portrayal of Maeve Wiley in the Netflix series Sex Education. Some of her upcoming projects include Emily Brontë’s biopic and the thriller Death on the Nile. She has also appeared in the TV projects Badger Lane and Summit Fever.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: November 14, 1979
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Berdyans'k, Ukraine
Olga Kurylenko is a Ukrainian-French model and actress. She gained international recognition after playing a Bond girl in the 2008 film Quantum of Solace. Olga Kurylenko serves as an inspiration to many young girls as she overcame her difficult childhood to become the face of popular brands like Clarins and Bebe.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: May 7, 1999
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Paris, France
Lily-Rose Depp is the daughter of famous American actor Johnny Depp and popular French singer and model Vanessa Paradis. Lily-Rose followed in her parents' footsteps to become active in the entertainment industry. Despite suffering from anorexia in the past, Lily-Rose Depp has managed to establish herself as an actress in Hollywood.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: February 21, 1983
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Paris, France
French actor Mélanie Laurent shot to fame with her Étoiles d'Or-winning role in Dikkenek and her César Award-winning performance in Don't Worry, I'm Fine. She made her Hollywood debut with Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, and was also seen in Now You See Me. She has also released a music album.
You May Like
Famous As: Actress, Activist
Birthdate: September 28, 1934
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Paris, France
Brigitte Bardot is a French former singer and actress. One of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and 1960s, Bardot remains a major pop culture icon despite quitting the entertainment industry in 1973. Bardot is credited with popularizing the bikini. She also popularized the town of Armação dos Búzios and the city of St. Tropez in Brazil.
Famous As: Singer
Birthdate: December 22, 1972
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France
French singer and actress, Vanessa Paradis, became a celebrity at the age of 14 with the French song Joe le taxi in 1987. She tasted further success with English songs like Be My Baby and many other French songs. She has also acted in several French films and has modelled regularly for high-end fashion products by Chanel like perfume and handbags.
Famous As: Film actor
Birthdate: November 23, 1966
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Paris, France
While he first came to prominence with his role in La Haine, French actor Vincent Cassel later got typecast in roles of short-tempered men. He has also won a César Award for his portrayal of Jacques Mesrine in the 2008 movie Mesrine. He is a trained martial artist, too.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: May 3, 1986
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Quebec City, Canada
French actress and model Pom Klementieff is internationally known for her role as Mantis in Marvel Cinematic Universe films. She had a difficult childhood and struggled a lot in her youth. She started acting when she was 19 and appeared in many French films. After establishing herself in French cinema, she made her Hollywood debut in 2013.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: July 30, 1948
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Casablanca, Morocco
French-Moroccan actor Jean Reno is best known for his roles in Godzilla, The Pink Panther, and Mission Impossible. He has also been part of French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish films, and was nominated for a European Film Award for his role in Les Rivières pourpres, or Crimson Rivers.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: November 17, 1966
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Paris, France
Sophie Marceau is best known for her César Award-winning performance in the French comedy La Boum 2. She has also appeared in English films such as Braveheart, Firelight, and The World Is Not Enough. She has written a novel, is a trained cellist, and has delivered an award-winning directorial debut.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: February 22, 1981
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Paris, France
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: July 21, 1971
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: London, England
Charlotte Gainsbourg, daughter of French singer Serge Gainsbourg and English actor Jane Birkin, made her singing debut at age 12. She is best known for her César Award-winning roles in La Bûche and An Impudent Girl. Her performance in Antichrist won her an award at the Cannes Film Festival.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: April 10, 1929
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Lund, Sweden
Died: March 8, 2020
Max von Sydow was a Swedish actor and director. In an illustrious career spanning seven decades, Max contributed immensely to American and European cinema, theatre, and television. He appeared in 11 of Ingmar Bergman's films, including The Seventh Seal, which houses the iconic scene where Max's character challenges the personification of Death to a game of chess.
Famous As: Football player, Actor
Birthdate: May 24, 1966
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Marseille, France
Eric Cantona is a French actor, filmmaker, and former football player. During his playing career, Cantona was a key player for the popular football club Manchester United and is often credited with reviving the club's reputation as a footballing force. Nicknamed King Eric by Manchester United fans, Eric Cantona continues to enjoy an iconic status within the club.
Famous As: Character actor, Stage actor, Film actor
Birthdate: May 24, 1960
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Redruth
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: October 22, 1943
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Paris, France
French actress Catherine Deneuve is considered one of the greatest European actresses. Beginning her career at the age of 12, she gained international prominence with her role in the movie The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. She is a 14-time César Award nominee and the recipient of a David di Donatello award. She is multilingual and speaks fluent French, Italian, and English.
Famous As: Film Director
Birthdate: December 3, 1930
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Paris, France
The Paris-born French-Swiss director and screenwriter has the reputation of adding new dimensions to filmmaking with his experimentation, a trend which came to be known as French New Wave. The director of acclaimed films like Breathless, My Life to Live and Pierrot le Fou, Jean-Luc Godard was married to actress Anna Karina. He is regarded as an all-time great director.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: May 28, 1982
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Paris, France
Alexa Davalos is an American actress who started her career by modeling for popular photographers like Peter Lindbergh. After making her acting debut in 2002, Davalos went on to land important roles in TV series like Reunion, Mob City, and The Man in the High Castle.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: March 9, 1964
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Paris, France
French actor Juliette Binoche began her career with stage productions. She soared to fame with her Academy Award-winning role of Hana in The English Patient and her Academy Award-nominated role of Vianne in Chocolat. She has also been a marked political activist and has supported the Cambodian charity Enfants d'Asie.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: April 23, 1943
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: September 4, 1993
French-American actor Hervé Villechaize is best remembered for playing the evil henchman in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun. Born with dwarfism, he was bullied at school for his condition. After initially working as an artist, painter and photographer, he ventured into acting. He was popular and much loved by the audience.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: March 26, 1988
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Lucas Bravo is a French model and actor best known for his portrayal of Chef Gabriel in the popular comedy-drama series Emily in Paris. His performance in the Netflix series has earned him important roles in a couple of upcoming films, such as Ticket to Paradise and Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris.
Famous As: Film director
Birthdate: March 18, 1959
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Paris, France
Luc Besson is a French film director, producer, and screenwriter. He started working in the film industry as an assistant to famous directors and learned the nuances of direction. He then moved on to direct films and launched his own production company. He is considered a key figure in the Cinéma du look movement.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: August 9, 1976
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Beaumont, France
French actor Audrey Tautou is best known for her stellar performances in films such as Amelie and The Da Vinci Code. She played Coco Chanel in the biopic Coco Before Chanel. Tautou is also a fashion icon, popularly known as “The Chanel Muse,” and has modeled for top-notch fashion magazines.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: January 12, 1966
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Paris, France
French actor Olivier Martinez gained fame with his César Award-winning performance in Un, deux, trois, soleil. He has also appeared in Hollywood films such as Unfaithful and S.W.A.T. He is a polyglot who is fluent in French, Spanish, and English. He was married to Halle Berry in the past.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: October 5, 1919
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Worksop
Died: February 2, 1995
Donald Pleasence was an English actor best remembered for his portrayal of Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the popular 1967 James Bond movie You Only Live Twice. His performance in the film was later parodied by Canadian actor Mike Myers in the Austin Powers film series. Donald Pleasence was also an important theatre actor; he received four Tony Award nominations.
Famous As: Director
Birthdate: January 19, 1985
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Providence, Rhode Island, USA
Best known for his 2014 psychological drama film Whiplash, Damien Chazelle is a Rhode Island-born American film director and screenwriter. An alumnus of the Harvard University, he began his career with a black-and-white musical, writing screenplays before making his breakthrough with Whiplash, winning several awards not only for the film, but also for La La Land and First Man.
Famous As: Actress, Only person in history to win five César Awards
Birthdate: June 27, 1955
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Paris, France
Isabelle Adjani is a French singer and actress. A critically acclaimed performer, Adjani is the only person to receive five César Awards. In 1988, Isabelle Adjani became the first French actress to earn two nominations at the Academy Awards for foreign-language films. She has also received other prestigious awards like the Silver Bear for Best Actress.
Famous As: Singer, songwriter and actress
Birthdate: December 14, 1946
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Marylebone, London, England
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: March 29, 1957
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Great Neck, New York, United States
Christopher Lambert shot to fame with his portrayal of Tarzan in the 1984 film Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes. He is also known as Connor MacLeod from the Highlander franchise and as Raiden from Mortal Kombat. He has also been part of several French films.
Famous As: Director
Birthdate: February 6, 1932
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: October 21, 1984
François Truffaut was a French film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He is credited to be one of the founders of the French New Wave. Beginning his career in the mid-1950s, he was active in the entertainment industry for close to three decades. His film The 400 Blows is considered a defining film of the French New Wave movement.
Famous As: Actress, Dancer
Birthdate: July 1, 1931
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Boulogne-Billancourt, France
French-American actor Leslie Caron is best known for her BAFTA-winning roles in The L-Shaped Room and Lili. She has also won a Golden Globe and an Emmy. A seasoned actor, she began her career as a ballerina. She has also been a jury member at various international film festivals.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: March 16, 1953
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Paris, France
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: October 30, 1982
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Meudon, Hauts-de-Seine, France
Famous As: Director
Birthdate: January 28, 1959
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Montbéliard, France
A lifelong fan of horror books and movies, especially of Stephen King, three-time Oscar nominated film director and screenwriter Frank Darabont decided to take up film making as his profession after seeing THX 1138. Beginning his career with screenwriting, he debuted as director with Buried Alive, eventually making such magnificent films like Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and The Mist.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: May 31, 1984
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Paris, France
Yael Grobglas is an Israeli actress known for her performance in the popular American satirical telenovela Jane the Virgin. After appearing in a couple of Israeli films, Grobglas achieved international recognition when she played Shir in a horror film titled Rabies. She then established herself in the American TV and film industry by appearing in projects like Jane the Virgin.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: November 8, 1935
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Sceaux, France
Alain Delon is a French actor, screenwriter, singer, filmmaker, and businessman. One of the most prominent actors and sex symbols in Europe during the 1960s and 1970s, Delon achieved critical acclaim for his performance in films like Rocco and His Brothers. In 1985, he was honored with the prestigious César Award for his portrayal of Robert Avranches in Our Story.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: December 27, 1948
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Châteauroux, France
Gérard Depardieu is a French actor who achieved international recognition after playing Jean Cadoret in the 1986 period drama film Jean de Florette. One of the most prominent and critically acclaimed actors, Depardieu has won two Cesar Awards from 17 nominations so far. He has also won other prestigious awards like Golden Globe Awards and London Critics Circle Film Awards.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: September 23, 1938
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: May 29, 1982
German-French actor Romy Schneider began her career with the Heimatfilm genre of films as a teenager. She appeared as Empress Elisabeth of Austria in the Austrian Sissi trilogy and in Ludwig. She is also remembered for her César Award-winning roles in Une histoire simple and L'important c'est d'aimer.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: January 20, 1978
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Trappes, France
Omar Sy is a French actor who achieved international recognition for his portrayal of Bakary Bassari in the 2011 buddy comedy-drama film The Intouchables. For his performance in the movie, Omar Sy became the first Black actor to receive the prestigious César Award for Best Actor. He has also appeared in other popular films like Jurassic World and Inferno.
Famous As: Singer-songwriter
Birthdate: May 22, 1924
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: October 1, 2018
Charles Aznavour was a French-Armenian actor, singer, diplomat, and lyricist. One of France's most famous singers, Aznavour was called the Frank Sinatra of France. One of the best-selling musicians of his generation, Aznavour sold 200 million records. In 1998, CNN named him the Entertainer of the Century. In 2017, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: May 26, 1986
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Barcelona, Spain
Born to a French-American mother and a Spanish father, Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey had initially worked as a waitress and had even decided to pursue a career in osteopathy. The actor-model later made waves with her roles in The Sea Wall and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
Famous As: Director
Birthdate: February 17, 1929
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Tocopilla, Chile
Chilean-French filmmaker and artist, Alejandro Jodorowsky, is best known for his avant-garde films. A multifaceted personality, he is also a novelist, poet, musician, composer, and spiritual guru. His films are filled with surreal images and mysticism. A much-revered figure in international cinema, he is the recipient of the Jack Smith Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF).
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: November 27, 1968
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Boulogne-Billancourt, France
Michael Vartan is a French-American actor best known for playing Michael Vaughn in the American action-thriller television series Alias. His performance in the series earned him nominations at Saturn Awards and Teen Choice Awards. He is also known for his film roles, such as Sam Coulson in Never Been Kissed for which he received an MTV Movie Award nomination.
Famous As: Basketball Player
Birthdate: January 12, 1960
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Paris, France
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: July 4, 1988
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Saint-Claude, France
French-Mexican actor Angelique Boyer is best known for her appearances in telenovelas such as Corazón Salvaje and Rebelde. She was previously part of the band Rabanitos Verdes. She has won awards such as the Premios Juventud and the Premios TVyNovelas. She has also been part of the film J-ok'el.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: June 22, 1966
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Paris, France
French actor Emmanuelle Seigner was initially a model. She gained recognition with her roles in films such as The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. She also earned César Award nominations for her roles in Venus in Fur and in Place Vendôme. She is married to legendary film director Roman Polanski.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: December 21, 1969
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Paris, France