Olivier Martinez comes from a working-class family, raised in the Paris suburbs. He left school at an early age, holding various pick-up jobs such as salesman for jeans. Friends urged him to try acting, and at age 23 he enrolled in the International Conservatory of Paris. After several television shows, he reached the international market with The Horseman on the Roof, billed in his American promotional tour for that movie as "the French Brad Pitt".


Brother of Vincent Martinez. Olivier fought as a welterweight in Europe, taking after his father who had also been a pugilist. His Gallic mother was a secretary and his father worked as a mechanic. Lived with Juliette Binoche [1995-1998] Girlfriend was singer Kylie Minogue [2003-2007] Currently resides in Paris. Plans to move to Los Angeles to begin a career in American cinema. Has a dog named Sheba. Plans to buy a house in the Mediterranean. Studied acting at the French National Conservatory of Dramatic Art (Conservatoire National Superieur d'Art Dramatique). Owns two motorcycles. Once worked as a jean seller. French citizen. His role as Paul in Unfaithful (2002) was performed by Maurice Ronet in the original version of the film: La femme infidèle (1969). Owns a Honda motorbike.