Marion Cotillard Biography 

French actress Marion Cotillard has been working in film and television for over fifteen years. She skyrocketed into fame, however, when she took the lead in 2007’s La Vie en Rose. It won her the Oscar and has been hailed by some as one of the best performances ever captured on film.

Marion Cotillard was born September 30, 1975 in Paris, France. She was subsequently raised in Orléans, Loiret. Cotillard describes her household growing up as both “bustling” and “creative.” Her father was Jean Claude Cotillard and her mother was Niseema Theillaud, both of whom were actors and teachers. She has twin brothers—one, Quentin Cotillard, is a sculptor, and the other, Guillaume Cotillard, is a writer.

Cotillard’s acting career began early, as she would frequently take the stage in her father’s various productions. Eventually stepping in front of the camera, Cotillard made her onscreen debut in 1993 with a one-episode appearance on the television series Highlander opposite Peter Guinness, Anthony Head, Stan Kirsch, and Adrian Paul.

Her obvious talent quickly earned her a slew of roles including La Belle Verte with Coline Serreau, Taxi, and 2001’s Lisa opposite Jeanne Moreau.

2001 also brought Cotillard her first real critical acclaim with Les Jolies Choses. She played the demanding lead, which required her to portray both roles of Marie and Lucie.

2003 was Cotillard’s first introduction into the American market when she earned a small role in Tim Burton’s Big Fish. She shared the screen with Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter, and Alison Lohman.

She continued her international popularity with 2004’s A Very Long Engagement, which co-starred Audrey Tautou and Jodie Foster.

She switched gears considerably in 2005 when she took a role in the religious thriller drama Mary, which starred Forest Whitaker, Juliette Binoche, and Heather Graham.

Cotillard had another notable turn in Ridley Scott’s 2006 endeavor A Good Year. Freddie Highmore and Russell Crowe also appeared in the romantic drama.

But it was 2007 that earned her the role of Edith Piaf in the biopic La Vie en Rose. Celebrated actor Gerard Depardieu portrayed Louis Leplee. For her role, Cotillard took home a staggering number of awards, but most notable was the Oscar for Best Female Actress.

She is currently filming Public Enemies, and she is in pre-production for Nine.

In her personal life, Cotillard has been romantically linked to French director Guillaume Canet.

Outside of acting, she is a vocal proponent of Greenpeace and enjoys the music of Radiohead and Hawksley Workman.