Date of Birth

25 November 1984, Boulogne-Billancourt, Hauts-de-Seine, France

Height

5' 10¾" (1.80 m)

Mini Biography

Gaspard Ulliel's dream has always been to direct a movie, and after completing his studies at the lycée (French high school), he majored in cinema at the University of Saint-Denis. However, fate had other plans, and he is currently pursuing an acting career. It began when Ulliel was 12 years old when he appeared in the TV film "Une femme en blanc" (1997). During the following years, Ulliel continued working on TV and was cast in short films such as Alias (1999). He played a young shepherd who was injured by The Beast in Pacte des loups, Le (2001), and was then discovered by director Michel Blanc, who offered him a part in Embrassez qui vous voudrez (2002) which also starred veteran actress Charlotte Rampling. Ulliel then took summer stages at Les Cours Florent and was asked by director André Téchiné to star in Égarés, Les (2003) as Emmanuelle Béart's lover. His role as Manech opposite Audrey Tautou in Un long dimanche de fiançailles (2004) brought him to stardom. He has been nominated thrice for Most Promising Male Newcomer at the César Awards (the equivalent of the Oscars in France) in 2003, 2004 and 2005; he won the last one. Ulliel's lead roles include Dernier jour, Le (2004), Jacquou le croquant (2007) and Hannibal Rising (2007), his first major English-language film.

Trivia

His parents are both stylists.

His scar on his left cheek is the result of a doberman's attack when Gaspard was 6.

Felt faint at Cannes film festival because of his shyness.

Favorite actress is Jeanne Moreau.

Keen sportsman: is a competition skier and loves swimming, waterskiing, skateboarding, rollerblading and tennis.

Speaks fluent English.

Big fan of Milan Kundera.

French citizen.

Has the same hometown as fellow French actor Guillaume Canet (from The Beach (2000/I) and Jeux d'enfants (2003)).

Is friends with actor Daniel Craig.

Has the same hometown as many famous French actors, among which French-American Michael Vartan (Alias, Monster-in-Law).

Voted #12 in Elle (France) Magazine's "15 Sexiest Men" poll (June 2007).

Was listed as a potential nominee on the 2008 Razzie Award nominating ballot. He was suggested in the Worst Actor category for his performance in Hannibal Rising (2007). He failed to receive a nomination however.

His favourite directors are: Tarkowski, Truffaut, Godard, Rohmer, Chris Marker, João César Monteiro, Gregg Akari and Michael Cimino.

He enjoys listening to: Reggae, Rap, Soul, Jazz, Rock, Kanye West, Herbie Hancock, The Temptations, Nick Drake, The Stones and Prince.

Personal Quotes

I began at twelve years old, but in fact I began really by chance. It was a friend of a friend of my mother's who was opening an agency, and she was looking for young kids. And so I entered the agency, but more by curiosity than real passion. And at first I had some small parts in TV movies - in fact my parents didn't want me to miss school, so I was working just once or twice a year. And I had a really regular progression - and this is really pleasant, I think - because I had small parts in TV movies, then bigger parts in TV movies, and then small parts in films. And I think this allows you to get...experience of the set and to get familiar with [the process]. And as I had a really slow progression, I think it really helped me to stay lucid and not get carried away.

~ Updated: 2008-09-29 ~