Marion Cotillard (born September 30, 1975) is an Academy Award winning French Actress.

Academy Award Winner Marion Cotillard is one of the most celebrated actresses that France has exported worldwide, alongside 'Sophie Marceau', 'Audrey Tautou', 'Eva Green' and 'Virginie Ledoyen'.

Daughter of former mime and theatre director Jean Paul Cotillard and of actress Niseema Theillaud, M.Cotillard began acting in the early 90's in one of her father's plays.

Then, Luc Besson chose her for the role of 'Lili' in the French box-office hit 'Taxi' (1998).The movie was so successful,that she would have reprise the role for the second and the third episode.

After this box-office success, she earned her first positive reviews from critics because of her performances in 'Les jolies choses' (2001), 'Lisa' (2001), and 'Une affaire privèe' (2002).

2003 was a really important year: she starred alongside 'Guillaume Canet' in the dark-dazzled comedy 'Love me if you dare' ('Jeux d'enfants'), directed by Yann Samuel, and loved by French and Italian audience.

Also in 2003, 'Tim Burton' introduced her to English-speaking audiences thanks to her touching role in 'Big Fish'.

In 2004, she has won her first 'Cèsar Award' (French Oscar equivalent)as Best Supporting Actress for 'Jean Pierre Jeunet''s 'A very long engagement' (2004). She was murderous Tina, a woman full of rage and vengeance. She appeared for about ten minutes alongside the real lead of the movie, icon 'Audrey Tautou'.

Ridley Scott has directed her in 2006's semi-flop 'A good year', set in Provence, starring 'Russell Crowe'. She had the female lead role.

In 2007, arrived a lifetime role, 'Edith Piaf' in 'La Mome' ('internationally a.k.a. 'La vie en rose'). The movie has been a box-office hit, a critical triumph and a vehicle for Cotillard.

For her powerful,magnetic and raging performance she has won the 'Oscar', her second 'Cèsar', 'Bafta' and the Golden Globe.

Now she is shooting 'Public Enemies' by 'Michael Mann'.



If she had not been an actress, she would have liked to become a singer. Had to learn how to sing in one month to play Marie in Les jolies choses (2001). Spokesperson for Greenpeace. Is also one of several actors, singers, and designers involved in "Dessins pour le climat," an album project originated by Greenpeace and Glénat, available for sale beginning April 2005 (all proceeds to go to Greenpeace). Co-wrote and performed song "La Fille De Joie" for her film "Les Jolies Choses". Also performed song "La Conne" for this film. Born to Jean-Claude Cotillard, an actor and teacher, and his wife Niseema Theillaud, also actress and drama teacher. Moved to Paris at the age of 16. Grew up in Orléans. Companion of her Jeux d'enfants (2003) co-star Guillaume Canet since 2007. Her brother Quentin works as a sculptor, living in San Francisco, California with his Irish-American wife Elaine O'Malley Cotillard, a former Dutch National Ballet dancer and fashion designer. The first leading lady to receive the best actress Oscar for a non-English speaking role since Sophia Loren in 1962 for La ciociara (1960). Is one of six performers to win an Oscar playing a character that mostly spoke in a foreign language. The others are Sophia Loren, Robert De Niro, Roberto Benigni and Benicio Del Toro. First French actress to win Best Leading Actress at BAFTA Film Awards since the integration of Best British Actress and Best Foreign Actress to one category: Best Leading Actress in 1969. Was considered for the role of Hanna Schmitz in The Reader (2008) after Nicole Kidman dropped out due to pregnancy. However the part eventually went to Kate Winslet. Has been romantically linked to singer Sinclair and to Gaspard Ulliel.