Gerard Depardieu

Perhaps the most easily recognisable male French film star, Gérard Depardieu is famous for films including Cyrano de Bergerac, The Last Metro and Police. With credits in more than 200 movies and TV series, he has won numerous awards and accolades for his work including a Golden Globe Award for his role in Peter Weir’s comedy Green Card and his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for Cyrano de Bergerac.

Born in Châteauroux, Depardieu left his hometown for Paris when he 16 years old and began acting at Café de la Gare, a new comedy theatre. His first notable movie role came in comedy Les Valseuses in 1974, and two years later he landed a starring role opposite Robert De Niro in the historical movie 1900. In 1980 he won his first César Award for Best Actor for his role in The Last Metro alongside Catherine Deneuve.

In1986 Depardieu began to rise to prominence internationally after playing the hunchbacked farmer in Jean de Florette. In 1990 he received high praise for playing the starring role in the movie Cyrano de Bergerac, winning the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor, an Academy Award nomination and a second César Award for Best Actor. A year later he appeared in Peter Weir’s Green Card, winning a Golden Globe Award for his role in the romantic comedy. He has appeared in countless other English language movies including Hamlet, Life of Pi and 1492: Conquest of Paradise. Despite declaring himself retired some years ago, Depardieu continues to appear in films and is one of highest earning French movie stars.