Lambert Wilson is a French actor who has established himself as one of the talented actors of his generation. With a career that spans over four decades, he has appeared in numerous films and has worked with some of the most prominent directors in the industry. Let's take a closer look at his journey from France to Hollywood, from Cannes-selected indie French dramas to American summer blockbusters.

Where to watch Lambert Wilson’s films?

If you've never seen Lambert Wilson, then you're missing out! He is one of the most prolific French actors of his time and a career that took many unexpected turns. So where can you watch all of his French movies and many more? Well, TV5MONDE of course, the only French-language network available in America! With a TV5MONDE subscription, you will also get access to the French streaming platform with the largest selection of French-language movies and TV shows in the USA TV5MONDEplus,  and much, much more...

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Lambert Wilson's Early Career and Breakout Role

Lambert Wilson was born on August 3, 1958, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris. His parents were both actors and were well-known in France's theatrical circles. Wilson followed in the footsteps of his parents and began studying acting at a young age. He was a gifted student and soon developed a passion for cinema, which he saw as an opportunity to reach a broader audience.

Because Lambert Wilson didn't want to be just his parent's son, he wouldn't accept roles on stage to focus on auditioning for movie roles. Wilson's first major role came in the 1980 American film 'Julia'. He played a supporting character in the film, but it gave him exposure to an international audience. Lambert Wilson dreamed of a career à la Cary Grant or Jimmy Stewart which is why he was actively trying to make it in Hollywood. However Julia and his next American movie "Sahara" flopped and his career in the U.S. never took off. However, it was his role in the French romantic comedy 'La Boum' in 1981 that propelled him into the limelight in his home country. The movie was a huge success and remains one of France's most beloved comedy classics. Wilson's performance as the male lead helped establish him as a rising young talent in the French film industry. For more details on his career, check out Lambert Wilson's best roles.

Lambert Wilson: An established actor in France

Wilson's success in 'La Boum' opened many doors for him in French cinema. He began working with some of France's most prominent directors, such as André Téchiné, who directed him in 'Rendez-vous'. He also worked with Claude Chabrol in 'The Blood of Others' and Yves Boisset in 'Bleu comme l'enfer'. Wilson's performances in these movies were critically acclaimed, and he quickly became one of the most popular young actors of the 1980s and 1990s. Although, he played in a few indie comedies, dramas were his films of choice and he would often appear in films selected at the Cannes, Berlin or Venice film festivals.

10 movies with Lambert Wilson to watch

Hollywood Obstacles and fame

Despite his success and acclaim in the French film industry, Wilson's early foray into Hollywood was not as successful. He appeared in movies such as 'Five Days One Summer, 'Sahara', and 'The Activist,' which failed to make an impression on US audiences. After these setbacks, Wilson chose to focus on his French career and became one of the leading actors of his generation. He appeared in numerous successful French films, including the 1990 masterpiece by Krzysztof Kieślowski 'The Double Life of Véronique.'

After years of working primarily in France, Wilson returned to Hollywood with his role in Lilly and Lana Wachowski's 'The Matrix Reloaded', 'The Matrix Revolutions' and 'The Matrix Resurrections' as the Merovingian. The Matrix franchise were all massive box office successes, and Wilson's performance as the sinister, mercurial character was an instant hit with audiences. This was followed by roles in Hollywood films like 'Catwoman' and 'Sahara', and one of the lead roles in the 2008 action sci-fi thriller 'Babylon A.D.'. Wilson proved that he could hold his own against American A-listers and quickly became one of the most respected foreign actors in Hollywood.

From biopics to comedies

While Wilson has achieved great success both in France and the US, he continues to be an actor who is always looking to push himself. He has appeared in a variety of roles, including critically-acclaimed dramatic biopics like 'De Gaulle' and 'The Odyssey' that toured many film festivals. What's more surprising is that in recent years, he was cast in popular French box office comedies such as 'One Man and His Cow', 'Barbecue', 'Baby Bumps' and the must-see Valérie Lemercier quirky comedy 'Palais Royal'. 

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