Jean-Paul Belmondo Actor Date of Birth: 09.04.1933 Country: France

1. Biography of Jean-Paul Belmondo
2. Early Years and Sports Career
3. Film Career
4. Personal Life
5. Current Life
6. Filmography:

Biography of Jean-Paul Belmondo

Jean-Paul Belmondo, a French actor, is a famous French actor who created the image of a young rebel with an irresistible smile and in the 1960s and 1970s earned the title of one of the most beloved actors by European youth. Later, he played distinctive roles in crime thrillers and comedies. Some of Jean-Paul Belmondo's most famous films include "Breathless," "The Professional," "That Man from Rio," and "Seven Days, Seven Nights." Jean-Paul was born in the town of Neuilly-sur-Seine, which is adjacent to the Bois de Boulogne. His parents belonged to the artistic bohemia: his father, Paul Belmondo, was a sculptor, and his mother, Sarah Rainio-Richard, was a painter. His brother Alain and sister Muriel, like Jean-Paul, devoted their lives to cinema, becoming a producer and actress, respectively. If it weren't for World War II, the Belmondo family would probably have lived a luxurious life. However, the occupation and deprivation pushed them into near poverty.

Early Years and Sports Career

At a young age, the future screen star was passionate about sports. He initially wanted to become a cyclist, then started playing football as a goalkeeper in a local club. Later, boxing appeared in Jean-Paul Belmondo's biography. As a teenager, he competed at an amateur level and made his debut as a professional boxer at the age of 16. Jean-Paul Belmondo had nine professional fights, never losing and winning four times in the first round. However, one day he looked in the mirror at his changing face and realized that it was time to give up professional sports. Unsure of which path to choose, Belmondo decided to serve in the army. After that, he faced illness, a mild form of tuberculosis, and went to the village of Alansh in Auvergne to seek treatment with fresh air. It was there that Jean-Paul realized his calling to become an actor. At the age of 20, he entered the National Conservatory of Dramatic Art, after which he made his debut on the theater stage and simultaneously began appearing in films. It is worth noting that most of the conservatory teachers recognized the young man's talent but pointed out that his appearance would hardly allow him to become successful, especially with female viewers. Belmondo's irreparable carelessness and talkativeness did not add confidence to his teachers. Jean-Paul Belmondo often arrived late for classes, skipped lectures, taunted his classmates, and frequently misbehaved. Nevertheless, his first appearances on the screen attracted women's attention. Gradually, Belmondo gained a reputation as the most commercially successful French artist. He founded his own film company, "Cerito," named after his beloved grandmother's maiden name, and began not only acting but also producing films. It is worth mentioning that Jean-Paul retired several times but always returned. In the beginning of 2015, he retired from both theater and film sets.

Film Career

The young actor made his debut in feature films in 1957. Jean-Paul appeared in the film "Moliere," but the scenes with his participation were cut during editing. The films "Breathe in the Silence" with Alain Delon's debut, the romantic comedy "Mademoiselle Angele" with Romy Schneider, and the psychological drama "A Double Turn of the Key" brought Belmondo his first popularity. However, he gained worldwide fame for his role as the carefree rogue Michel Poiccard in the crime drama "Breathless." Today, this film is considered one of the best works in the history of world cinema. Not content with the laurels, Belmondo immersed himself in work. He appeared with Sophia Loren in the war film "Les Carabiniers," with Jeanne Moreau in the psychological film "Seven Days, Seven Nights," with Pascale Petit in the melodrama "Letters of a Novice," and with Claudia Cardinale in the historical adventure comedy "Cartouche." In the 1960s, popular projects included the crime thriller "The Informer," the adventure comedy "That Man from Rio," and the war drama "Weekend at Dunkirk." Belmondo tried not to stay in one type of role for long, using all the shades of his talent in creating film characters. In 1965, the actor joined the project of the cult director Jean-Luc Godard, the crime film "Pierrot le Fou," where his partner was Anna Karina. A year later, after working on an author's film, Belmondo appeared in the light-hearted comedy "Tender Scoundrel." Jean-Paul could not refuse to participate in the parody comedy "Casino Royale," which was created by the efforts of filmmakers from the UK and the USA. Belmondo played the role of a French legionnaire in the service of the CIA, who, like the other three spies, worked under the code name James Bond. In 1973, the actor repeated the experience of playing in a parody project, appearing in the black comedy "The Man from Acapulco." This time, Jean-Paul Belmondo was given the role of François Merlin, an unsuccessful novelist who becomes a super spy. These films were successful and added to the actor's popularity. However, he wanted to not only be part of the French equivalent of Hollywood but also took part in non-commercial projects, such as the philosophical fable "The Heir" and the biographical story of a Russian emigrant-swindler "Stavisky." However, at that time, the audience did not warmly receive these films, although they are excellent examples of acting and successful directing. The fact is that the audience wanted to see Belmondo in entertaining roles, and Jean-Paul regularly presented himself in such a way. Gangster films such as "The Professional," "Borsalino," and "Fear Over the City" were hugely successful.

Belmondo played negative characters representing the criminal world in the films "The Thief" and "Supermind." Despite the recklessness and riskiness of his characters, Belmondo romanticizes them, making the characters appealing to the audience. He also appeared in the lyrical comedy "The Man I Like," where he starred opposite Annie Girardot.

In the second half of the 1970s, Belmondo delighted his fans with his participation in the film "The Intractable," the drama "Corpse of My Enemy," and the melodrama "The Monster." In 1979, the crime detective film "Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?" directed by Georges Lautner was released. Belmondo portrayed a self-assured guy in an expensive car who turns out to be an undercover commissioner investigating the murder of a colleague. Antoine Chevrier doesn't hesitate to use criminal methods in his fight against the city's gangs.

Popular projects of the 1980s include the comedy "Ace of Aces" and the action film "Le Marginal." The last successful film in Belmondo's film career was the melodrama "An Impetuous Life," released in 1988. He received the National Cesar Award for his leading role in the film.

In the 1990s, Belmondo announced that he no longer wanted to be a "jumping and shooting grandfather," so he left the film industry and focused on theatrical performances. However, he made an exception for a bold adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel "Les Misérables" and returned to the screen, creating two memorable characters in this film.

In 2001, after suffering a stroke, Jean-Paul Belmondo announced his retirement again. However, seven years later, he made an exception for the screenplay of the social drama "A Man and His Dog" because he could not remain indifferent to the character of Charles, a beggar who finds himself on the street with his dog. Jean-Paul said that although he had played more than 40 roles in plays and participated in the creation of about a hundred films, he had never encountered such a character before.

Jean-Paul Belmondo's filmography includes several documentary films dedicated to the work of French filmmakers. These films include documentaries about Louis Malle, Henri-Georges Clouzot, Jean-Luc Godard, and Gilles Jacob.

In the new century, the actor also appeared in documentary films about his work and life. TV films such as "Belmondo: The Journey," "Belmondo: A Personal Look," and "Belmondo, le magnifique" were released from 2011 to 2017.

Personal Life

The famous French actor was in demand not only among viewers but also among the opposite sex. Although he was officially married only twice, he had numerous star romances with celebrities such as Silvana Mangano, Brigitte Bardot, Ursula Andress, Carlos Sotto Mayor, and Laura Antonelli. Most of these relationships were serious, but none of them led to marriage. Only in 2002 did Belmondo marry model and ballerina Natty Tardivel, who was 32 years younger than him. They had been dating for over a decade before getting married. They had a daughter together, Stella Eva Angelina. Jean-Paul was already 70 years old at the time. It is worth noting that none of Belmondo's children followed in his footsteps, although his son Paul appeared in the film "An Impetuous Life" at a young age but then chose to become a Formula One racer.

The marriage between Belmondo and Natty Tardivel lasted only six years, after which the elderly man got involved in an affair with Belgian model Barbara Gandolfi. He lived with this woman, who was 40 years younger than him, for four years, and their separation turned into a big scandal. It turned out that Barbara secretly transferred money from Jean-Paul to her personal account. She was caught in the act when she decided to "play big" and transferred €200,000. However, even more shocking circumstances were revealed: Gandolfi used Belmondo's bank accounts to launder dirty money earned from brothels, illegal nightclubs, and escort services.

Current Life

In 2018, Jean-Paul Belmondo celebrated his 85th birthday. On April 9th, the actor received congratulations from fans and colleagues. In Russia, love for the work of the French actor is still strong, so several documentaries about the life of this world cinema star were released to coincide with his milestone birthday.

Despite suffering a stroke in the early 2000s, Jean-Paul Belmondo continues to amaze with his zest for life. He is still fascinated by the beauty of women, just as he was in his youth. For example, during a chance meeting with Russian singer Valeriya at the Four Seasons Hotel in Paris, Belmondo showered her with compliments. The singer posted photos of them together on Instagram.

Filmography:

1959 - "Breathless"
1960 - "Seven Days, Seven Nights"
1962 - "Cartouche"
1964 - "That Man from Rio"
1965 - "Pierrot le Fou"
1973 - "The Man from Acapulco"
1980 - "The Professional"
1995 - "Les Misérables"
2009 - "A Man and His Dog"