Breaking stereotypes about French men and Paris! The best actors of France Handsome French men.

This attractive young man is only twenty-three years old, but he has already loudly declared himself in his native France, becoming a repeated nominee for the prestigious Cesar film award. Thus, the debut of the young actor took place relatively recently. At the age of fifteen he starred in the film “Beautiful Guys.” It was for this work that Vincent was first nominated for a Cesar as the most promising young actor. Lacoste then played in such films as Asterix and Obelix in Britain, The Diary of a Maid and The Incredible Private Life of Monsieur Sim. And his role in the film “Hippocrates” was again marked by a Cesar nomination.

Gaspard Ulliel

Gaspard Ulliel is undoubtedly one of the most charming actors in modern French cinema. The actor gained worldwide fame thanks to his leading role in the dramatic detective story “The Long Engagement.” For this role, Ulliel was awarded the Cesar as the most promising actor. Gaspar's other memorable work is the role of young Hannibal Lecter in the film Hannibal Rising. However, the man has a solid filmography behind him, so the most striking films with his participation are “Kiss Who You Want”, “The Lost”, “Paris, I Love You” and “Saint Laurent. Style is me." By the way, in addition to his acting career, the man is also involved in modeling.

Louis Garrel

Louis Garrel is a follower of the family dynasty of actors. So, his father is director Philippe Garrel, and his mother is actress Brigitte Si. His grandfather and great-grandfather were also actors. In addition, Garrel has a sister, who, naturally, also followed in the footsteps of her ancestors and became an actress. It is not surprising that Louis’s film debut was helped by his father, with whom the actor began acting at the age of six. However, Garrel's real fame came from his controversial role in Bernardo Bertolucci's film The Dreamers. But the efforts of his father-director made themselves felt; for his role in his film Constant Lovers, Louis received the Cesar Award as the most promising actor.

Adrien Jolivet

Adrien Jolivet grew up in an acting environment, so his choice of profession is not surprising. Adrien gained the greatest popularity among the general public after his roles in such films as “Black Ocean” and “Tenderness”. In addition, Jolivet starred in the popular TV series The Borgias. By the way, the man decided not to stop at the acting profession; he is a vocalist and leader of his own musical group.

Jeremy Capon

This sweet young man quite successfully combines the career of an actor and a musician. Thus, Jeremy Capon made his film debut in the film “Lol,” where Sophie Marceau herself became the young actor’s partner. And literally a year later, Capon played in the film “Accomplice,” where he played the role of a young pimp. And his debut on the musical Olympus took place eight years ago. Moreover, the young man himself is not going to focus his attention on any one area, but continues to work equally as an actor and as a musician.

Cyrille Thouvenin

Cyrille Thouvenin is a graduate of the prestigious National Conservatory of Dramatic Art. The actor made his debut on television, and quite successfully. For about twenty years now, this attractive man has been acting in films and TV series. However, Cyrille's fame, unfortunately, never reached further than his native France. We hope that soon the general public will finally be able to learn about it.

French cinema, although large, is still far behind Hollywood, both in the number of films and in the number of stars. However, there are many actors here who managed to achieve world fame.
Today I want to introduce you to the top most famous male actors in French cinema. By the way, I was surprised that almost all the actors on this list often also acted as directors and screenwriters.

20. Samy Naceri, born in 1961. The first film was made in 1989, with a total of 40 film roles. He is famous for his starring role in the film Taxi. I haven't seen anything particularly noticeable since then with his participation. However, the success of "Taxi" gives him every right to be in this top.

19. Alain Chabat, born in 1958. The first film was made in 1988, with a total of 61 film roles. He managed to play both Napoleon and Caesar, although in comedies that were far from historical truth.

18. Christian Clavier, born 1952 First film 1973, a total of 74 film roles. But he managed to play Napoleon in a very serious and high-quality serial film.

17. Mathieu Kassovitz, born 1967 The first film was made in 1978, with a total of 50 film roles. It seems to me that he has not yet reached the peak of his success in cinema, despite the leading male role in Amelie, which made him famous.

16. Thierry Lhermitte Born 1952 The first film was made in 1973, with a total of 134 film roles. Most Russian viewers remember him for his role in the film “Open the Police.” However, as we see, he has more than 130 roles to his credit!

15. Jamel Debbouze 1975. First film in 1992, a total of 37 film roles. It is surprising that this actor is one-armed, but has already managed to be well remembered by movie lovers.

14 Robert Hossein 1927. First film in 1948, a total of 114 film roles. Who doesn’t remember how Michelle Mercier in the role of “Angelique” shouted “Joffrey” to him, and he looked at her sadly.

13. Vincent Perez 1964 First film 1986, 60 film roles. Although he is Swiss, he can rightfully be called a wonderful French actor.

12. Philippe Noiret 1930 First film 1949, total of 163 film roles. This mustachioed good fellow is no longer so popular now, but used to be one of the main faces of French cinema.

11. Jean Dujardin 1972 First film 1998, a total of 35 film roles. She has just risen, but is already without a doubt a star of French cinema. Personally, I really like this actor.

10. Jean Rochefort 1930 First film 1956, total of 161 film roles. King of supporting roles.

9. Louis de Funès 1914-1983 The first film was made in 1946, with a total of 156 film roles. It's hard to believe that he was the same age as Jean Marais. Great comedian.

8. Pierre Richard 1934 First film 1958, a total of 80 film roles. He is very loved in our country, you know :)

7. Jean Reno Born in 1948. First film 1979, 86th film role. The same year of birth as Depardieu, but he is far from the hard work of the great fat man. But still his roles are very well known all over the world.

6. Jean Gabin 1904-1976 The first film was made in 1928, with a total of 109 film roles. They say about actors like Gaben: he brilliantly knew how to remain silent on camera.

5. Vincent Cassel, born 1966 First film 1989, a total of 69 film roles. Probably the most popular French actor in world cinema today (maybe after Depardieu).

4. Jean Marais 1913-1998 First film 1933, 104 film roles. For a long time he was the ideal of a real man for many women around the world, and then it turned out that he was gay. However, this does not negate his greatness. Without a doubt the most romantic hero of French cinema.

3. Jean-Paul Belmondo birth 1933 First film 1956, total of 101 film roles. The coolest hero of French action films.

2. Alain Delon 1935 First film 1957, a total of 116 film roles. Probably this is the most handsome man of French cinema and one of the most beautiful actors in the world.

1. Gérard Depardieu Born in 1948. The first film was made in 1967, with a total of 216 film roles. From the very beginning of his career to this day, he has acted very, very much. As an actor he is absolutely omnivorous. Plays both in the mainstream mainstream and in the complete arthouse. An all-time great actor.

PS I'm going to prepare a similar top about French actresses, I hope you will find it interesting.

I really love European cinema and if you think about the question “who is my favorite actor,” then the French come to mind first of all. The names of Louis De Funes, Alain Delon, Gerard Depardieu and Pierre Richard have been on our lips since childhood. Russia and French cinema have known each other for decades. But nothing stands still and now a new generation of actors is coming on the heels of the meters. What is the face of French cinema in the 21st century?

JEREMIE CAPON

Date of birth: April 16, 1990
Place of birth: Paris
French actor, singer and songwriter, member of the musical group Kaponz & Spinoza. Jeremy Capon's debut album was the collection “Éléments du décor,” which his group released in 2008. The actor’s film debut was the film “Lol” with Sophie Marceau as Lola’s mother, where the guy played young Mael, a friend of Lola, the daughter of Marceau’s heroine, and a friend of her ex-boyfriend, a young charming musician who, of course, wins the girl’s heart. In general - yourself. In 2009, the actor played the role of a young pimp in love with a hustler named Vincent in the film “The Accomplice” directed by Frédéric Mermoux.
Jeremy Capon continues his career not only as a musician, but also as an actor, giving preference to neither one nor the other.

JEAN-BAPTISTE MONNIER

I’ve loved him since the days of “Choristers”, now the boy is already 21 years old, so dripping saliva on him is legal)))
By the way, in “Choristers” he plays a boy endowed with great vocal talent and sings in his own amazing voice.

Date of birth: December 22, 1990
Place of birth: Brignoles, Var, France
Jean-Baptiste Monnier is a French singer and actor who played in the films “The Choir Boys,” “Devil's Cell Phone,” etc. He was born into a family of journalists Thierry and Muriel Monnier. Currently lives near Lyon (Saint-Foy-les-Lyon). Has a younger brother, Benjamin (b. 1995). After graduating from the Lyceum, Jean-Baptiste improved his acting skills at the Institute of Theater and Film. Lee Strasberg (USA). After the sixth grade, he was asked to choose one specific direction in art. He chose singing and became a member of the Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc choir, following the example of his father, who himself sang in the Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Raphael choir. The director of the film "Choristers", Christophe Barratier, saw Jean-Baptiste at the casting of choristers who were supposed to sing the soundtrack to this film. This film was released in theaters on March 17, 2004 and was an extraordinary success. Thanks to the great wave of popularity, Jean-Baptiste, together with the choir, took part in many concerts around the world. In February 2005, Jean-Baptiste left the choir in order to devote more time to his studies and to master the profession of an actor. But so that no one would forget his voice, he performed a magnificent duet with Clémence “Concerto Pour Deux Voix” (“Concert for two voices”). Despite everything, he remained very much in demand in cinema. So, in April and August 2005, he took part in a series for the France 2 channel, filmed by Herv Basle. This film consists of 4 episodes. Jean-Baptiste played the role of Robert in his youth, a young man working in a steel mill (Francis Renault played Robert in old age). He appears in the first episode and in flashbacks (third episode). The film was shown in February on France 2. When Herve Bazle finished filming, he continued to star alongside Nicolas Duvauchelle and Clémence Poésy in the film Le Grand Meaulnes in 2006. Jean-Baptiste also participated in dubbing: Saxo speaks in his voice in the cartoon “Piccolo, Saxo and Co,” which was released in France on December 20, 2006. In the summer of 2006, he played the main role in the feature film by James Hut “Devil's Cell Phone” (“Le telephone maudit”). Jean-Baptiste also takes an active part in charitable events such as “Stars of Hope” (“Les etoiles de l’Espoir”) and the well-known “Les Enfoires” (an organization that collects money from concerts that goes to help the poor).

BENOIT MAGIMEL

Date of birth: May 11, 1974
Place of birth: Paris
Benoit Magimel was born into the family of a nurse and a bank employee. At the age of 12, he successfully passed the casting and received one of the two main roles in the film by Etienne Chatilier “Life is a Long Calm River”. The social comedy about the life of 12-year-old children, mixed up at birth, was loved by both viewers and critics and received 4 Cesar awards. This role was followed by roles in Christina Lipinski's comedy Dad's Gone, Mom's Gone (1989) and the television series, as well as appearances in various television shows. In 1993, Magimel again starred with Christina Lipinski - in The Stolen Notebook, with the participation of Elodie Boucher. In 1995, Benoit Magimel received a supporting role in Mathieu Kassovitz's film "Hate" with the participation of Vincent Cassel and Said Tagmau, which received the prize for best director at the Cannes Film Festival and three Cesars. In 1996, Magimel starred in a cameo role in André Téchinet's film The Thieves, starring Catherine Deneuve and Daniel Auteuil. For this role, Benoit Magimel was nominated for a Cesar as best emerging actor and the Michel Simon Prize. After starring as Alfred de Musset in Diane Curie's 1999 historical film Children of the Century, Magimel played the role of King Louis XIV in the 2000 drama The King Dances, for which he spent three months at the ballet barre studying Baroque dances. A new stage in Magimel’s acting career was the leading male role of Walter Klemmer in Michael Haneke’s film “The Pianist” based on the novel by Elfriede Jelinek. After The Pianist, Magimel starred in two films by French director Claude Chabrol. In the thriller "Flower of Evil" and in the film adaptation of Ruth Rendell's crime novel "Bridesmaid". In the continuation of “Crimson Rivers,” Magimel starred in a duet with Jean Reno. In 2005, Magimel starred in the adventure film Knights of the Sky by Gerard Pires and the thriller by Lionel Bailou Fair Play with Marion Cotillard and As Charlie Says by Nicole Garcia with Jean-Pierre Bacri.

Romain Duris

A 38-year-old Parisian, Romain Duris captivates with his typically French charisma. He is known to domestic audiences for his excellent works in the films Arsene Lupine (2004), Molière (2007), Heartbreaker (2010).......

Louis Garrel

The son of an actor, the grandson of an actor, the great-grandson of an actor, he looks like a marble David and has been stewing in movie porridge since he was 6 years old. Louis is not only a talented actor, but also a man of amazing beauty, born on June 14, 1983 in Paris, in the family of director Philippe Garrel and actress Brigitte Sy.
Graduated from the Conservatoire Nationale Supérieure des Dramatic Arts in Paris in 2004.
A real breakthrough was the role in “The Dreamers” by Bernardo Bertolucci.
He became one of the heroes of the 2007 Cannes Film Festival: in Valeria Bruni Tedeschi's film The Dream of the Previous Night.
Valeria and Louis are engaged and have a foster child whom they jointly adopted. And Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi is the older sister of Carla Bruni - Sarkozy.

Guillaume Canet

Guillaume won women's hearts by playing the male lead in the film Jeuxd'enfants (Love Me If You Dare, 2003) and a supporting role in the film Vidocq (2001), then his fame was reinforced by the success of Ensemble. c'esttout" (Just Together, 2007) and "L'enfer" (Hell, 2005).
On May 19, 2011, Guillaume and Marion Cotillard had a son, Marcel.

Gaspard Ulliel

soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

you can talk about Gaspard for hours...... probably a happy mistake occurred in the heavenly office, because the boy got everything and beyond all measure.

Gaspar acquired the famous scar on his cheek at the age of 6 - it was inflicted by a Doberman.
He received his higher education at the University of Saint-Denis, where he studied cinematography.
Born into a family of stylists.
Let's note his participation in such films as “Unlongdimanchedefincailles” (Long Engagement, 2004), “Le Pactedes loups” (Brotherhood of the Wolf, 2000), “Embrassezquivousvoudrez” (Kiss Who You Want, 2002) and “Hannibal Rising” (2006) .

30 most beautiful actresses in France.
Many of these ladies starred not only in French cinema, but also in all the major films in Europe and Hollywood.

Catherine Deneuve, first film 1957, total of 163 film roles. Queen of French cinema!

Michel Mercier (Michèle Mercier), first film 1957, a total of 54 film roles. Gorgeous Angelica. A very beautiful and passionate actress.

Anouk Aimée, first film 1947, total of 100 film roles. For me personally, she is the star of my favorite Fellini films.

Brigitte Bardot, first film 1952, a total of 72 film roles. Two thirds of all the men on the planet openly went crazy about her, the rest did it secretly, accusing her of vulgarity :)

Marion Cotillard (Marion Cotillard), first film 1992, a total of 66 film roles. Winner of an Oscar and a Golden Globe, a very rare case for French actors.

Laetitia Casta, first film in 1999, a total of 22 film roles. It’s not for nothing that she played Brigitte Bardot in the film about Gainsbourg; she may well lay claim to her laurels as an uninhibited beauty in modern cinema.

Simone Signoret, first film in 1942, a total of 87 film roles. A great actress, winner of an Oscar for the leading female role, and a silver bear at the Berlin Film Festival.

Emmanuelle Béart, first film 1972, 63 film roles in total. At home, the press has long proclaimed her one of the most beautiful women in French cinema.

Fanny Ardant, first film 1976, 77 film roles. A wonderful and very extraordinary actress

Audrey Tautou, first film 1992, a total of 39 film roles. She began acting at the same time as Cotillard, but she had almost half as many roles. However, almost all of her roles become an event.

Isabelle Huppert, first film 1971, total of 111 film roles. The actress who has the largest number of films with her participation, presented in the official program of the Cannes Film Festival (16 films).

Sandrine Bonnaire, first film in 1982, a total of 57 film roles. Many remember her from the joint film between Russia and France "East-West"

Sophie Marceau, first film 1980, a total of 49 film roles. She started acting in her early youth and remains a star to this day.

Mireille Darc, first film in 1960, a total of 77 film roles. A wonderful actress with a very bright civic position. She is a Knight of the Legion of Honor, and in 2006 received the Legion of Honor badge from the hands of Jacques Chirac.

Jeanne Moreau, first film 1949, a total of 182 film roles. While Brigitte Bardot symbolized sensuality and Catherine Deneuve symbolized elegance, Jeanne Moreau embodied the ideal of intellectual femininity in cinema.

Delphine Seyrig, first film 1959, a total of 66 film roles. “Striking, almost unreal, aristocratically refined beauty was combined in her with the absolute isolation of the screen images she created.” (from one of the obituaries)

Annie Girardot, first film 1955, total of 162 film roles. Undoubtedly one of the greatest actresses of French cinema.

Juliette Binoche, first film 1983, total of 71 film roles. The third and last Oscar winner on this list, though for a supporting role.

Marie Trintignan, first film in 1967, a total of 58 film roles. Daughter of a famous actor and famous screenwriter. She didn’t shame her parents.

Marina Vlady, first film in 1949, a total of 105 film roles. In our country, she is especially known as the wife of Vladimir Vysotsky, but she has more than a hundred film roles under her belt.

Carole Bouquet, first film 1977, 64 films in total. In addition to acting, this beauty was the face of Chanel and Christian Dior for many years.

Anne Parillaud, first film in 1977, a total of 34 film roles. The famous "Nikita" from the film by Luc Beson.

Vanessa Paradis, first film 1989, 23 films in total. Besides being an actress, she also sings. Johnny Depp's companion.

Judith Godrèche, first film in 1984, a total of 42 film roles. Her acting career is in full swing. In addition, she managed to make a film as a director.

Virginia Ledoyen, first film 1987, a total of 43 film roles. Most viewers remember her from the film "The Beach". However, she is now very actively filming and I think she will show what she is capable of.

Christine Boisson, first film 1973, total of 76 film roles. After a tumultuous youth and starring in minor films in minor roles, she trained as an actress and began acting only in serious films, with Antonioni, Lelouch and others.

Miou-Miou, first film 1971, total of 81 film roles. real name is Sylvette Herry. The actress was nominated for a Cesar Award nine times, and in 1980 she was awarded for her role as a prostitute in the film "The Catch" and... refused to accept the award.

Eva Green, first film in 2003, a total of 20 film roles. She hasn’t acted much yet, but she has appeared in notable films and managed to become a Bond girl.

Dominique Sanda, first film in 1969, a total of 55 film roles. Star of the cult films of the 70s "The Conformist" and "The Twentieth Century" by Bernardo Bertolucci. Awarded the Palme d'Or at Cannes for Best Actress.

Isabelle Adjani, first film 1970, 59 film roles in total. Winner of a record 5 Cesar Awards in the category for Best Actress and simply a beauty.

The country most often mentioned in the history of cinema is certainly France. Here, cinema is no longer considered ordinary entertainment; it has been elevated to the rank of real art. French cinema - romantic, touching and bright - will forever remain brilliant, and the most important role in the development of this art direction is played, of course, by the greatest French actors. Below are the most famous and popular French male actors of the comedy and dramatic genres and their photographs.

French male actors of the 20th century

Alain Delon

Alain Delon is one of the most handsome men in France

This man, whose name has become a household name, has been considered one of the most beautiful French film actors for more than fifty years.
After serving in the army, he came to Paris in 1956 to follow the advice of his friends and send his photographs to producers to get a role in a movie. However, then they did not pay much attention to his more than spectacular appearance. Moreover, it caused refusals.

Further, in Cannes he was noticed by Harry Wilson and got a chance to build a career as a Hollywood actor, but by the will of fate he remained in his native land, and in 1957 the first film with his participation, “When a Woman Interferes,” was released. Subsequently, he took part in the filming of many films, the most famous of which were “Black Tulip” (1963), “Love by the Sea” (1964), “Diabolically Yours” (1967), “Man in a Hurry” (1977) and “The Return of Casanova” "(1992).

Jean-Paul Belmondo

Charming "rebel" Jean-Paul Belmondo

The film “Breathless” brought Jean-Paul Belmondo worldwide fame. In his first films, he appeared before everyone as a dazzlingly smiling young rebel and immediately won the love of the youth of Europe. Then the actor liked comedies and action films more.

Jean-Paul Belmondo was able to become a star whom the whole world admires and imitates. His contribution to French cinema was awarded three times with the Cesar Award. The people of France, who have elevated Belmondo to the rank of a national hero, categorically refuse to believe that any trouble could happen to him.

A striking example is the incident that occurred with an actor on board a plane with an engine failure in flight. Passengers, in fear, began to ask Jean-Paul to do something. In response to the pleas of his fans, the actor hastened to assure everyone of the successful outcome of the flight. The panic gradually subsided, and the plane soon landed.

The actor first appeared on screen in the film “Molière” in 1956, but other films brought him fame - “A Woman is a Woman” (1961), “A Generous Heart” (1961), “Borsalino” (1970), “Private Detective” ( 1976) and other films.

Gerard Depardieu

Gerard Depardieu (full name: Gerard Xavier Marcel Depardieu) is today one of the most famous French actors in Russia.

Born on December 27, 1948 in the family of Rene Depardieu and Alice Marie. The family lived very poorly, in addition, the parents, immersed in their own problems, treated their children coldly (in addition to Gerard, there were 5 more children in the family) and often left them alone in the house. From a lack of parental affection and communication, little Gerard began to stutter and spent almost his entire childhood expressing himself in sign language. However, his speech impediment did not prevent him from doing well in elementary school.

In his youth, Depardieu worked as a typesetter in a printing house, while practicing boxing. However, he did not achieve great success in the boxing field, participating in fights more as a sparring partner with whom more experienced and famous boxers trained. In one of the matches, his nose was broken, which later became his “calling card”.
Gerard's youth was quite stormy: fights, being brought to the police, thefts, registration with the juvenile affairs service.

In the fall of 1965, young Depardieu comes to Paris with a friend; out of boredom, he decides to take acting classes with his friend. During class, the teacher unexpectedly invites Depardieu on stage to perform a spontaneous pantomime act. The approving reaction of the teacher and the audience inspired Gerard - and he decides to take acting seriously and enroll in the courses of Jean-Laurent Cochet, one of the most famous theater teachers in France.
In the late autumn of 1966, he goes with friends to audition for the acting school of Jean-Laurent Cochet. For his performance, Depardieu chooses one of the most difficult passages from the French classics, and performs it extremely poorly, which causes laughter in the audience. But despite this, Master Cochet notices Depardieu’s talent and recommends that he enroll in an acting school, without requiring a single sou. Moreover, Cochet pays for Depardieu’s treatment with a speech pathologist and speech pathologist, so that he can eliminate the latter’s speech defects.
At this time, Depardieu is in the process of becoming an actor: he corrects his pronunciation, intonation, and enthusiastically reads French classics, which he never read in childhood. He was the best and most diligent student in the class. Perseverance and hard work radically changed his life.

Gerard Depardieu received a Golden Globe Award in the category “Best Actor” for the film “Residence Permit”, two Cesar Awards in the category “Best Actor” in the films “The Last Metro” and “Cyrano de Bergerac”, for his role in the latter he was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor.

In addition, Depardieu is known for the following films: “A Simple Formality” (1993), “The Twentieth Century” (1976), “Cyrano de Bergerac” (1990), “The Last Metro” (1980), “The Unlucky” (1981), “ Runaways" (1986), "Dads" (1983) and many others.

Jean Marais

Fantômas himself - Jean Marais

The audience remembers him for his heroic roles as brave and courageous characters. Often he performed various stunts himself, while the directors specially arranged the shots so that it was clear that the actor himself was performing the stunt. He had a powerful athletic physique, a beautiful and courageous face with pronounced strong-willed features and a noble look.
Russian viewers identify him with the famous comedy character Fantômas.

Few people know that Jean Marais had significant abilities in artistic sculpture, painting and poetry. In 1989, a monument to the writer Marcel Aime by his friend Jean Marais was erected in Montmartre in Paris. The sculpture is better known as “Man Passing Through a Wall.” It is entirely made of bronze and its idea is an episode to the writer’s story of the same name.

Jean Reno

"The Professional" - Jean Reno

Jean Reno, whose pseudonym hides the name Juan Moreno y Herrera Jimenez, came from the family of a printing worker and dressmaker. Since childhood, he was very passionate about theater and even attended a theater school in Paris. At the age of seventeen, after the death of his mother, Jean Reno served in the army for two years, and then expressed a desire to enroll in M. Simon's acting courses, got married, changed several professions, was a driver, customs officer and accountant. Then he received a small role in the series “One Secret a Day” and performed at the Didier Flamen Theater.

However, success came to Jean Reno after the start of his fruitful collaboration with Luc Besson. Their first collaboration was “Underground”, then Reno played the main role in the film “The Blue Abyss” and “Nikita”.

Jean Reno gained worldwide popularity after the release of the film “Leon,” which was called “The Professional” in American film distribution. This film brought him to Hollywood, where he received roles in the films “Mission: Impossible,” “Godzilla” and “Ronin.” At the same time, a full list of his works must certainly include the adventure film “Jaguar” (1996), both parts of the detective story “Crimson Rivers” (2000, 2004), the thriller “Empire of Wolves” (2005) and the comedy “Aliens” (1993 ) and "Wasabi" (2001).

French male actors of the 21st century

The names of such great French actors as Jean-Paul Belmondo, Alain Delon, Pierre Richard and Gerard Depardieu have been known to us for decades. However, life does not stand still, and new young talents appear in the spotlight. So what kind of faces can French cinema of the 21st century boast of?

Jean-Baptiste Maunier

Young talent - Jean-Baptiste Monier

French actor and singer Jean-Baptiste Monier played the role in such films as “The Choir Boys” and “Devil's Cell Phone.”

After graduating from the Lyceum, Monier studied in America at the Strasberg Institute of Theater and Film. Having the opportunity to choose the direction of art, Jean-Baptiste gave preference to singing in the choir. The young man was chosen directly for the role in the film “Choristers” by director Christophe Barratier, who noticed the young talent during the casting of budding choristers to perform the soundtrack. Thanks to such a surge in popularity, the Jean-Baptiste Monnier choir participated in concerts all over the world, but after some time the young man decided to leave the choir and devote more time to mastering the acting profession.

Benoit Magimel

Born into the family of a bank employee and a nurse, Benoit Magimel already at the age of twelve received his first role in a social comedy about twelve-year-old children confused at birth called “Life is a Long Calm River,” directed by Etienne Chatillier. The film, which did not leave both ordinary viewers and the most severe critics indifferent, was awarded 4 Cesar awards.

Magimel starred in the films directed by Christina Lipinski, “Daddy Gone, Mom Too,” and “The Stolen Notebook.” Then, in 1995, the young man, together with Vincent Cassel and Said Tagmau, played a role in the film “Hate” by Mathieu Kassovitz.

In order to get used to the role of King Louis XIV in the film “The King Dances”, performed in 2000, the actor had to learn dance steps characteristic of the Baroque era for three months.

Omar Sy

Rising to fame after starring in François Cluzet's tragicomedy 1+1, also known as The Intouchables, Omar Sy, who is of Mauritanian and Senegalese heritage, became the first black actor to win a Cesar Award for Best Actor.

Omar Sy's debut took place in 1996-97 at the RadioNova radio station, where the young actor met the man who became his future partner, Fred Testo. The young man took part in the filming of the program “Dzhamel’s Cinema”, then became the founder of the “Videophone” program, and the budding actor creates a number of small sketches for the small screen, such as “I Don’t Live Up to My Age”, “The Omar and Fred Show”, and “After-Exit Gear Service.”

French male comedians

French comedy, perceived by many as a classic of the genre, has existed almost since the birth of cinema. The first to take a step along this path were Georges Méliès and Marc Linder. Due to change and transformation, this genre has acquired a certain originality. And it is made so by the great French comedian actors, whose names will not be erased from memory even after several decades.

Pierre Richard

"Tall blond man in a black shoe" - Pierre Richard

Pierre Richard is one of the most legendary comedians, film directors and screenwriters that France has given us.

Richard received his debut film role at the age of thirty-three. This film was “Blessed Alexander” directed by Yves Robert. After two years, Pierre decides to try himself as a film director.

His first film was “Toy,” the plot of which began to emerge fifteen years before the film’s release. It is based on a story told by Francis Weber to Richard himself. Already that same night they sketched out a short story. The plot of the film impressed the comedian so much that he expressed a desire not only to become the leading actor, but also a producer.

At the tenth New Latin American Film Festival in 1988, Richard presented his own documentary work entitled “Tell me about Che,” dedicated to the activities of Ernesto Che Guevara.

Louis de Funes

Undoubtedly, no one remains indifferent to the world-famous comedian Louis de Funes. In his youth, the actor was interested in fine arts and playing the piano. He played in bars, mostly jazz music. The comedian gained worldwide fame after the release of the film “Not Caught, Not a Thief,” where de Funes starred in the title role. The trilogy about Fantômas, in which the actor played the role of Commissioner Juve, became famous. And a series of films about gendarmes makes you cry with laughter every time you watch them.

Louis de Funès, considered the greatest French comedic actor, as well as a symbol of French cinema, can quite justifiably be called the proud name of “The Band Man,” whose role the comedian once played in the film of the same name.

This Frenchman could boast of knowledge of three languages, skills in drawing and playing the piano, and during the war, also the ability to perform jazz music and experience teaching at a music school.

The first step on the path of an actor was taken by Funes with admission to the acting courses of Rene Simon.

The comedian gained fame after the film with his participation “Not caught is not a thief” was released, and the result of this was the dizzying rise of his career.

Some people love his performance in the film “Fantômas”, others appreciate the actor for “The Big Walk” and “Razinya”.

In 1973, Louis de Funes was awarded the title of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, and 1980 brought him the only Cesar award in his entire fruitful career.

The beloved French comedian died of a heart attack at the age of sixty-eight.

The most popular French male actors

The list of the most popular French male actors opens Vincent Cassel.

Aristocratic Vincent Cassel

Not the least role in his popularity was played by the fact that the actor until recently was married to one of the most beautiful women in Italy, Monica Bellucci.

Vincent Cassel was born on November 23, 1966 in Paris in the family of French actor Jean-Pierre Cassel.

Cassel began his acting career in the USA, in New York, after which he returned to France and began working at the Jean-Louis Barrault Theater.

He was repeatedly nominated for the Cesar Award: for Best Actor in the film “Hate” in 1996, as the most promising actor in the film “Hate” in 1996, for Best Actor in the film “Read My Lips” in 2002 .

He has starred in more than 40 films, and also tries himself as a producer, screenwriter and director.

Jean Dujardin

One of the most popular comedians in France is Jean Dujardin.

Dujardin is officially recognized as one of the best comedic actors in France. He began his acting career in 1999 with a role in the series “Guy and Girl,” in which he starred for 4 years. Afterwards, he goes into cinema, finding his niche in adventurous comedies. His comedies brought him the greatest fame: “Car Keys”, “The Wedding” and “Brice the Magnificent”.

In 2006, he starred as Agent 117 in the film Agent 117: Cairo - Nest of Spies. This picture brought him success outside of France; he began to be recognized in Europe and the USA. Then comedy after comedy began to follow (“Don’t Say No”, “Devil’s Cell Phone”, “99 Franks”, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”, “Lucky Luke”).

2011 brought him worldwide fame: Jean Dujardin starred in the silent romantic comedy by Michel Hazanavicius “The Artist”. The film was enthusiastically received by world film critics and received many awards. Jean Dujardin received the prize for Best Actor (for the role of silent film star George Valentine) at the 64th Cannes Film Festival and won the Golden Globe Award in the category “Best Actor - Comedy or Musical”, in addition, he became winner of the 2012 Oscar in the category “Best Actor”.

Vincent Perez

Frenchman of Swiss origin Vincent Perez

Vincent Perez was born on June 10, 1964 in Lausanne (Switzerland). At the age of 18 he left for France. He studied at the National Higher Conservatory of Dramatic Art and then worked at the Amandier Theater in Nanterre. In the 90s of the 20th century, his acting career began to take off: “The Journey of Captain Fracassa”, the famous “Indochina”, “The Scent of Love Fanfan”, “Queen Margot”. In 1991, Perez was nominated for a Cesar Award for his role in the film Cyrano de Bergerac, and in 1992 he received the Jean Gabin Award. But world fame came to him after the actor starred in the film “Beyond the Clouds” in 1995.

Jamel Debbouze

The charming “modest” Jammel Debbouze, who became famous on the big screen thanks to his role as assistant to the fruit and vegetable merchant Lucien in the comedy “Amelie”

He is one of the most sought-after actors in France today. Debbouze made his debut on television in the program "Paris Premier", then hosted the program "Nowhere Else", in addition, he made his first personal show.

He began acting in films in the early 1990s. In 1998, the actor appeared in the drama “The Zone,” then he starred in the comedy “The Sky, the Birds and... Your Mother.” But he became truly famous after the premiere of the film “Amelie” in 2001, where he played the small but touching role of Lucien, the assistant to an evil fruit and vegetable seller. Debbouze consolidated his success by starring in the adventure comedy Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, where he played the main role. To date, Jamel Debbouze has starred in 30 films and is also a producer of 5 films.

Mathieu Kassovitz

Mathieu Kassovitz

Another actor who became famous thanks to the wonderful film “Amelie”. Mathieu Kassovitz played the main male role in Amelie, the role of Nino, Amelie’s lover.

Today he is a very successful film director who has directed 9 films, the most famous of which are “Gothika” with Halle Barry in the title role, “Hate” with Vincent Cassel and “Crimson Rivers” with Jean Reno.

Christian Clavier

Christian Clavier, who became famous in the comedy genre

He became famous by playing a comic character in the film Aliens, known as "The Rogue." After Aliens, he became a recognized star of the comedy genre, having played in Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar, Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (the main role of the Gaul Asterix), as well as in the remake of the film Aliens - Aliens in America "(2001). This was followed by the films “Between an Angel and a Demon”, the historical television series “Napoleon”, “Operation Stew”, “The Corsican”, “Dads without Bad Habits”.

Alain Chabat

Famous comedian Alain Chabat

Famous French actor, director, producer and screenwriter. He began his career in the 80s with comedy roles. For his leading role in the film “The Cursed Lawn” (1995), Alain Chabat received the Cesar Award, and the film itself became incredibly popular in France. In 1997, he received his second Cesar Award for his role in the comedy “Didier.” Shaba received international recognition in 2002 as director, co-producer and screenwriter of the film “Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra”, while simultaneously playing the role of Julius Caesar in the film.

Samy Naceri

One of the most recognizable French comedians is Sami Naceri

Sami Naceri first appeared on the big screen in the film Paradise (1995). For his role in this film, he receives two prestigious awards at the Locarno International Film Festival and the Paris Film Festival.

Then comes a fateful meeting with Luc Besson. In his new film Taxi, the director gives Naceri the main role of Daniel, a taxi driver who loves powerful cars and crazy speeds. Unexpectedly, the film turns out to be very successful. This was followed by a logical continuation of the film - “Taxi 2”, “Taxi 3” and “Taxi 4”, where the main role was still assigned to Sami Naseri.
In 2006, the actor received the award for Best Actor in the film “The Patriots” at the Cannes Film Festival.

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