A name that reverberates in the corridors of the French film industry is Guillaume Canet, and he is more than just an actor. His multifaceted talents have solidified his status as one of the leading figures in cinema globally. Canet developed a love for show business at a young age. Consequently, he became one of the most sought-after French actors.
The French actor began his career in theater and television before moving to film. He starred in several films like “Joyeux Noël,” which earned a nomination for Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, “Love Me If You Dare,” and “The Beach.”
However, the multitalented actor turned to writing and directing in 2006 with “Tell No One” and won a César Award for Best Director. Due to his success, he has garnered a legion of fans curious about his life.
From Show Jumping to the Silver Screen: Who Is Guillaume Canet?
The talented actor was born in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, to his parents, Philipe and Marie-Antoinette, on April 10, 1973. Guillaume Canet’s passion wasn’t initially acting but show jumping. Born to a family of horse breeders, he aspired to be a show jumper. Hence, he became a junior French National Equestrian Team member. However, a fall at the age of 18 changed the trajectory of his life.
Consequently, he leaped into the arts and enrolled in the Cours Florent drama school. Afterward, the talented actor’s career started in theater and television. By 1994, Guillaume Canet had already made his mark. He appeared in the Théâtre Hébertot production of “La Ville dont le prince est un enfant” with Christophe Malavoy.
After working in various television shows and commercials, Guillaume Canet landed his film debut in the short film “Fils Unique.” This role further propelled him to stardom, and he landed other acting roles, including the 1997 thriller, “Barracuda.” He won a Prix d’interprétation (best actor award) for his role at the Festival Saint-Jean-de-Luz in 1999. In addition, he got a nomination that same year for a César Award for his role as Vincent Mazet in the comedy film “En plein cœur.”
When Did Guillaume Canet Start Making Waves?
Although he started with television and theater, Guillaume Canet transitioned to films, with noteworthy performances in movies such as “Joyeux Noël.” However, the French actor added writing and directing to his craft somewhere along the line. Despite being a talented actor, it wasn’t until Canet ventured into writing and directing that he truly made a mark.
He made his writing and directing debut with his first feature film, “Mon Idole,” starring his ex-wife Diane Kruger. Afterward, Guillaume Canet released his second feature film, “Tell No One,” an adaptation of Harlan Coben’s novel, which took the industry by storm. “Tell No One” became a top-grossing French film, earning the talented actor a César Award for Best Director.
However, aside from his Hollywood success, Guillaume Canet is also an accomplished showjumper, giving credence to his multifaceted nature. The actor has participated in 623 competitions between 2012 and 2017 and won 33.
Are Diane Kruger and Guillaume Canet Married?
Although their marriage grabbed headlines, Diane Kruger and Guillaume Canet are no longer married. The famous actor and the German-born model and actress started dating in 1999. They tied the knot on September 1, 2001. However, Canet and his ex-wife parted ways in January 2006. According to Kruger, their marriage was unsuccessful due to their careers, which had kept them occupied in different parts of the world.
Since his divorce from Kruger, Guillaume Canet’s personal life has been as eventful as his professional one. His brief relationships with Carla Bruni and Élodie Navarre also became the talk of the town. However, his relationship with award-winning actress Marion Cotillard has endured time.
The duo co-starred in the film “Love Me If You Dare” and kept their relationship under wraps for a while. Although they attracted attention from the French media, the couple did not reveal their relationship or appear together on red carpets. However, they became red-carpet official at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009.
While they haven’t tied the knot, the award-winning director and Cotillard have two children. They have a son, Marcel, born in 2011, and a daughter, Louise, born in 2017.
Guillaume Canet Movies
Since he debuted, Canet has starred, written, and directed several movies. With his expansive career, his filmography boasts of films like, “Cars” (2006), “Turning Tide” (2013), “In the Name of My Daughter” (2014), and “Minions” (2015).
Some of his other movies include “The Program” (2015), “Arctic Heart” (2016), “Rock N Roll” (2017), “Sink or Swim” (2018), “Non-Fiction” (2018), “Lui” (2021), and most recently, “Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom” (2023).
Is Guillaume Canet Active on Social Media?
Yes, he is. However, despite his immense success, Canet remains grounded. His Instagram presence, boasting over 1 million followers, offers glimpses of his personal life, sharing moments with his children and partner. Moreover, he still holds onto his love for show jumping.
In addition, with a staggering net worth of $20 million, Guillaume Canet has firmly etched his name in the annals of cinema. Canet continues to dazzle and inspire, whether acting, directing, or screenwriting. Like the famous Hollywood actor Eddie Murphy, he embodies the essence of versatility and dedication to one’s craft.