David Belle Biography

Fast Facts

• Best known as one of the founders of Parkour
• Made his screen acting debut in the TV series "Louis Page" in 2000
• Became interested in sports in his childhood thanks to his father and grandfather, who were members of the French military fire services
• While studying first-aid rescue and gymnastics in Paris at the age of 15, he formed a group of teenagers called the Yamakasi that would go on to create Parkour
• Quote: "Parkour is a method of training which allows us to overcome obstacles, both in the urban and natural environments․ It's a weapon in disguise․․․It can be the art of flight, of the chase, of helping someone with a problem, or something ordinary․"
• Quote: "Parkour [teaches] people how to trust themselves, to learn to be careful․ The philosophy is always to advance, never to stop․ If some time you have problems, like in life, if you have an obstacle you must always continue forward․"
• Choreographed Parkour scenes for films like "Babylon A․D․" and "Prince of Persia․"
• Has worked as a warehouse worker, as a security guard and as a furniture salesman
• Was the subject of a documentary by Stade 2 in 1997 after video clips of his Parkour began appearing in the media, after which he became interested in acting