Luc Besson spent the first years of his life following his parents, scuba diving instructors, around the world. His early life was entirely aquatic. He already showed amazing creativity as a youth, writing early drafts of The Big Blue and The Fifth Element, as an adolescent bored in school. He planned on becoming a marine biologist specializing in dolphins until a diving accident at age 17 which rendered him unable to dive any longer. He moved back to Paris, where he was born, and only at age 18 did he first have an urban life or television. He realized that film was a medium which he could combine all his interests in various arts together, so he began taking odd jobs on various films. He moved to America for three years, then returned to France and formed Les Films de Loups - his own production company, which later changed its name to Les Films de Dauphins. He is now able to dive again.
Dated Maïwenn Le Besco. She gave birth to their daughter, Shana Besson, in 1993. Has a daughter with ex-wife Anne Parillaud, Juliette (born 1987). Placed under investigation on a charge of involuntary manslaughter 4 June 2002 by Paris prosecutor during inquiry into death of a cameraman hit by a car during 1999 filming of chase scene in Taxi 2, which Besson produced. Father, with Virginie Silla, of three daughters, Talia Besson (b. 1 August 2001), Satine Besson (b. May 2003) and Mao Besson (b. 16 September 2005] Often casts Gary Oldman (Leon, The Fifth Element) and they are very close friends. He produced Gary's movie Nil by Mouth. Has his look-alike puppet in the French show Guignols de l'info, Les (but it is rarely used). Refuses to do interviews or audio commentaries for DVD releases. This is because he believes that they ruin the impact of the film. President of jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000 Wanted to become a marine biologist as a child, but an accident at the age of 17 prevented him from being in water. Has four daughters with three different women. Grew up in Greece and former Yugoslavia where his parents were diving instructors for Club Med. Has, as of July 2005, written four 'Arthur' books which include 'Arthur and the Minimoys' [being made into a film starring Freddie Highmore and Mia Farrow] and 'Arthur and the War of the Two Worlds.' The series has sold more than 1 million copies in more than 30 countries.