Olivier Martinez Biography

Fast Facts

• Won a César Award for most promising actor for "Un, deux, trois, soleil" in 1994
• Trained in acting at the Conservatoire National Supérieur d'Art Dramatique in Paris
• Made his screen acting debut in the French film "Plein fer" in 1990
• Wanting to become a champion boxer like his father, he began competing professionally as a welterweight boxer, but had to quit because of injuries sustained from a car accident
• Quote: "I have found that I really like to work in English ․․․ I don't feel restricted by the language: I feel more free․ In English, I don't travel with my culture, my social background, my 'luggage․' I feel like a new person․"
• Quote: "I think it is the genius of actors to be able to escape whatever people are expecting of them․ Otherwise you become like a factory worker․"
• Best known for playing Paul Martel in "Unfaithful" and Alex Montel in "S․W․A․T․"