Biography for
Marion Cotillard

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Mini Biography

Marion Cotillard, who won the Best Actress Academy Award for her role as Édith Piaf in Môme, La (2007) retitled "La Vie en Rose" in the United States), is the second thespian to win an acting Oscar performing in a language other than English. Of the 80 actresses who have won the Best Actress Oscar in sound-films (the first Best Actress winner, Janet Gaynor, was in a silent film), only Cotillard and Sophia Loren (for Ciociara, La (1960)) have won in a non-English speaking role. Only two male performer (Roberto Benigni for La Vita e Bella and Robert DeNiro for The Godfather, Part II)have won an Oscar for a part not in English (Jane Wyman and John Mills won Oscars playing mutes, and Emil Jannings' Oscar came for a silent role.)

A Libran born in Paris on September 30, 1975, Cotillard is the daughter of Jean-Claude Cotillard, an actor, playwright and director, and Niseema Theillaud, an actress and drama teacher. Raised in Orléans, she made her acting debut as a child, with a role in one of her father's plays. She studied drama at Conservatoire d'Art Dramatique in Orléans.

While still a teenager, Cotillard made her cinema debut with the film Histoire du garçon qui voulait qu'on l'embrasse, L' (1994). Her first prominent screen role was in Taxi (1998/I), and she reprised her role as Lili Bertineau in two sequels. Director Olivier Dahan cast her to play Édith Piaf, the French singer whose cult stronger than that of Judy Garland in the States, in "La Môme" because her eyes were like those of of Piaf. That she can sing also helped land her the role as the fabled chanteuse.

Her turn as Piaf brought her the Oscar, the Cesar (France's equivalent of the Oscar), a BAFTA award, and a Golden Globe. Theatrical director Trevor Nunn called her portrayal of Piaf as "one of the greatest performances on film ever" and the film, and her performance, was given a 15-minute standing ovation at the Berline International Film Festival, where it premiered.

Mini Biography

Marion Cotillard (born September 30, 1975) is an Academy Award winning French Actress.

Academy Award Winner Marion Cotillard is one of the most celebrated actresses that France has exported worldwide, alongside 'Sophie Marceau', 'Audrey Tautou', 'Eva Green' and 'Virginie Ledoyen'.

Daughter of former mime and theatre director Jean Paul Cotillard and of actress Niseema Theillaud, M.Cotillard began acting in the early 90's in one of her father's plays.

Then, Luc Besson chose her for the role of 'Lili' in the French box-office hit 'Taxi' (1998).The movie was so successful,that she would have reprise the role for the second and the third episode.

After this box-office success, she earned her first positive reviews from critics because of her performances in 'Les jolies choses' (2001), 'Lisa' (2001), and 'Une affaire privèe' (2002).

2003 was a really important year: she starred alongside 'Guillaume Canet' in the dark-dazzled comedy 'Love me if you dare' ('Jeux d'enfants'), directed by Yann Samuel, and loved by French and Italian audience.

Also in 2003, 'Tim Burton' introduced her to English-speaking audiences thanks to her touching role in 'Big Fish'.

In 2004, she has won her first 'Cèsar Award' (French Oscar equivalent)as Best Supporting Actress for 'Jean Pierre Jeunet''s 'A very long engagement' (2004). She was murderous Tina, a woman full of rage and vengeance. She appeared for about ten minutes alongside the real lead of the movie, icon 'Audrey Tautou'.

Ridley Scott has directed her in 2006's semi-flop 'A good year', set in Provence, starring 'Russell Crowe'. She had the female lead role.

In 2007, arrived a lifetime role, 'Edith Piaf' in 'La Mome' ('internationally a.k.a. 'La vie en rose'). The movie has been a box-office hit, a critical triumph and a vehicle for Cotillard.

For her powerful,magnetic and raging performance she has won the 'Oscar', her second 'Cèsar', 'Bafta' and the Golden Globe.

Now she is shooting Public Enemies (2009), from director 'Michael Mann'.

Trivia

If she had not been an actress, she would have liked to become a singer.

She's an ecologist.

Had to learn how to sing in one month to play Marie in Jolies choses, Les (2001).

Is good friends with Élodie Navarre.

Spokesperson for Greenpeace. Is also one of several actors, singers, and designers involved in "Dessins pour le climat," an album project originated by Greenpeace and Glénat, available for sale beginning April 2005 (all proceeds to go to Greenpeace).

French citizen.

Co-wrote and performed song "La Fille De Joie" for her film "Les Jolies Choses". Also performed song "La Conne" for this film.

Has two younger brothers: Guillaume and Quentin, they are identical twins (born on 6 November 1977).

Born to Jean-Claude Cotillard, an actor and teacher, and his wife Niseema Theillaud, also actress and drama teacher.

Is a member of Greenpeace.

Moved to Paris at the age of 16.

Cousin of Laurent Cotillard.

Grew up in Orléans.

Being a huge fan of Canadian singer Hawksley Workman, she starred in two of his clips.

Companion of her Jeux d'enfants (2003) co-star Guillaume Canet since 2007.

Having won the Best Actress Oscar for Môme, La (2007) on 24 February 2008, she has become the third French actress to do so. The others are Claudette Colbert for It Happened One Night (1934) and Simone Signoret for Room at the Top (1959).

Her brother Quentin works as a sculptor, living in San Francisco, California with his Irish-American wife Elaine O'Mailly Cotillard, a former Dutch National Ballet dancer and fashion designer.

Her brother Guillaume is a writer.

The first leading lady to receive the best actress Oscar for a non-English speaking role since Sophia Loren in 1962 for Ciociara, La (1960).

Is the third actress to win the Best Actress Oscar for portraying a female singer in a biography; the first being Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner's Daughter (1980) and the second Reese Witherspoon as June Carter in Walk the Line (2005).

Is one of five performers to win an Oscar playing a character that mostly spoke in a foreign language. The other are Sophia Loren, Robert De Niro, Roberto Benigni and Benicio Del Toro.

Daughter of Jean-Claude Cotillard and Niseema Theillaud.

One of 105 people invited to join AMPAS in 2008.

First French actress to win Best Leading Actress at BAFTA Film Awards; since the integration of Best British Actress and Best Foreign actress to one Best Leading Actress category in 1969.

Personal Quotes

I don't think you learn how to act. You learn how to use your emotions and feelings, and my first teacher was my mother [Niseema Theillaud] and then I worked with my father [Jean-Claude Cotillard], who helped me to find in myself all those emotions and how to play with the emotions.

(On accepting the best actress Oscar for 'La Vie en Rose') Thank you life, thank you love, and - it is true - there is some angels in this city.

Where Are They Now

(August 2005) Preparing for the role of a lifetime as Edith Piaf in Olivier Dahan's "La vie en rose".

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