World-renowned actor, singer and activist Lambert Wilson is best known for playing The Merovingian in The Matrix Revolutions and The Matrix Reloaded. He has appeared in numerous French movies including the critically acclaimed Hiver 54, l’abbé Pierre, and his other notable English language films include Catwoman with Halley Berry, Flawless with Michael Caine and Demi Moore and Babylon A.D. with Charlotte Rampling and Vin Diesel. As a recording artist he has released several albums including Musicals (1989) and Wilson chante Montand (2016), a tribute to the singer Yves Montand.
Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, Wilson dreamt of becoming an ‘American actor’ and studied acting at London’s Drama Centre so he could learn English. He made his movie debut in Fred Zinnerman’s movie Julia in 1977, and starred in another of Zinnerman’s films, Five Days One Summer five years later. After initially failing to find success in America, he returned to France where he rose to prominence in films including Rendez-vous and The Public Woman, and won the Jean Gabin prize for his performance as Abbé Pierre in Hiver 54, l’abbé Pierre.
In 2002 Wilson landed the part of The Merovingian opposite Keanu Reeves in Hollywood blockbuster The Matrix Reloaded, a role that helped him find fame in the US and around the world, and he reprised the role in The Matrix Revolutions the following year. Wilson will play Merovingian again in Matrix 4, due for release in 2022. Away from the world of acting, Wilson has supported causes including Agir pour l’Environnement and Greenpeace.