Christopher Lambert

For other people named Christopher Lambert, see Christopher Lambert (disambiguation).
Christopher Lambert

Lambert at the 2013 Monte Carlo Television Festival
Born Christophe Guy Denis Lambert
(1957-03-29) 29 March 1957
Great Neck, New York, U.S.
Occupation Actor
Years active 1978–present
Spouse(s) Diane Lane (m. 1988–94)
Jaimyse Haft (m. 1999–2000)
Sophie Marceau (m. 2012–14)
Children 1

Christophe Guy Denis Lambert (born 29 March 1957),[1] known as Christopher Lambert, is a U.S. born French actor. He may be best known for his role as Connor MacLeod in Highlander and subsequent movie franchise series of the same name. He is also known for his roles as Tarzan in Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes and as the thunder god Raiden in the first movie adaptation of the video game Mortal Kombat.

Early life

Lambert was born in Great Neck, New York.[1] His father was a French diplomat at the United Nations. Lambert was raised in Geneva from infancy and moved to Paris in his teens.[2]

Career

After appearing in supporting parts in several French films, Lambert was discovered by international audiences when director Hugh Hudson cast him in the title role of Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984). That same year, he also played his first lead role in a French film by appearing opposite Catherine Deneuve in Paroles et musique.

In 1985, Lambert played the male lead in Luc Besson's Subway, for which he was awarded a César Award for Best Actor the next year.[3] Highlander (1986), in which he starred as Connor MacLeod, was an international success, as well as his most famous role. He appeared in all three sequels that were released in cinemas – although he was not in the 2007 movie made for the Sci-Fi Channel – and had a cameo appearance in the pilot episode of the television series. Lambert also appeared as MacLeod in the music video for Queen's "Princes of the Universe".

The Sicilian, directed by Michael Cimino and starring Lambert as Salvatore Giuliano, was released in 1987, and was less successful than his previous pictures, receiving a lukewarm reception by critics and being only marginally profitable. To Kill a Priest, in which he played a character based on Jerzy Popiełuszko, was well received by critics but was a financial failure. Lacking a recent box-office success, Lambert agreed to appear in the first Highlander sequel, Highlander II: The Quickening, which was poorly received.[4]

During the 1990s, Lambert starred in action, thriller and science fiction films such as Knight Moves, Fortress (1992), Gunmen (1994) and Mean Guns (1997), and the Italian-produced Nirvana (1997). His filmography included low-budget films such as Adrenalin: Fear the Rush, which were generally poorly received by critics. Some of his films had only a direct-to-video release.[5][6] In the course of that decade, Lambert also occasionally appeared in French films such as Max et Jérémie (1992).

In 1995, he played the role of the thunder god Raiden in a movie adaptation of the popular video game series Mortal Kombat. Lambert was interested in reprising his character in the sequel, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, but he was committed to his role in Beowulf (1999), and the role was given to James Remar. Lambert is also active as a film producer and has produced French films such as Patrick Braoudé's Génial, mes parents divorcent (1990) and Neuf mois (1994).[7] In 2001, he played the lead role of Gallic chieftain Vercingetorix in the France-Canada production Druids, which was a critical and financial failure.[8]

In 2009, Lambert was a lead in Claire Denis' White Material; both the film and Lambert's performance received critical acclaim.[9][10][11] Lambert had a role in the Marvel Comics film Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance in 2012.[12]

He underwent sword training for three months[13] and shaved his head.[14] Shortly afterwards, he appeared as Marcel Janvier, alias "the Chameleon", in 6 episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles.

Personal life

Lambert was married to Diane Lane from October 1988[15] to 1994. They have a daughter, Eleanor Jasmine.[1]

Lambert married Jaiymse Haft on 6 February 1999 but that union was dissolved.[1] Since 2007, he had been in a relationship with Sophie Marceau, with whom he appeared in La disparue de Deauville.[16] They married in 2012 and announced their separation on 11 July 2014.[17]

Lambert is currently dating for the second time Italian actress and activist Alba Parietti, with whom he had a relationship twenty years before, in 1996.[18]

Lambert has profound myopia and cannot see without his glasses. Because he cannot wear contact lenses, he is often forced to act while virtually blind. This has led to injuries while performing his own stunts without glasses.[19]

Business interests

Along with owning a mineral water business and food processing plant, Lambert produces Côtes-du-Rhône wines with partner Eric Beaumard at a vineyard located in Sainte-Cécile-les-Vignes, France. He is also sole owner of Lamb Bear Productions, the name of the company is a play on his name "pronounced Lamb-bear".

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1963 Who's Minding the Store? Child Actor Uncredited
1979 Ciao, les mecs Un loubard à la soirée dansante Credited as Christophe Lambert
1980 Telephone Bar, TheThe Telephone Bar Paul "Bébé" Franchi as Christophe Lambert
1981 Douchka TV movie
Asphalte Un médecin à l'hôpital / The doctor as Christophe Lambert
Une sale affaire Mullard as Christophe Lambert
Putain d'histoire d'amour Inspecteur de police as Christophe Lambert
1982 Légitime violence Jockey as Christophe Lambert
Cinéma 16 Marcel TV (one episode)
1984 Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes John Clayton / Tarzan
1985 Paroles et Musique Jeremy as Christophe Lambert
Subway Fred César Award for Best Actor as Christophe Lambert
1986 Highlander Connor MacLeod / Russell Nash
I Love You Michel as Christophe Lambert
1987 Sicilian, TheThe Sicilian Salvatore Giuliano
1988 Love Dream Menrou
To Kill a Priest Father Alek
1990 Why Me? Gus Cardinale
1991 Highlander II: The Quickening Connor MacLeod
1992 Knight Moves Peter Sanderson
1992 Highlander: The Series Connor MacLeod TV (one episode)
1992 Max et Jérémie Jeremie Kolachowsky as Christophe Lambert
1992 Gunmen Dani Servigo
1993 Loaded Weapon 1 Man with Car Phone Uncredited
1993 Fortress John Henry Brennick
1994 Roadflower Jack
1994 Highlander III: The Sorcerer Connor MacLeod / Russell Nash
1995 Hunted, TheThe Hunted Paul Racine
1995 Nine Months Executive producer
1995 Mortal Kombat Lord Raiden
1996 North Star Hudson Saanteek as Christophe Lambert
1996 Adrenalin: Fear the Rush Lemieux
1996 Hercule et Sherlock Vincent as Christophe Lambert
1997 Nirvana Jimi Dini
1997 Arlette Frank Martin as Christophe Lambert
1997 Mean Guns Lou
1999 Operation Splitsville Max, P.E. Teacher
1999 Resurrection John Prudhomme
1999 Beowulf Beowulf
1999 Gideon Gideon Oliver Dobbs
2000 Fortress 2: Re-Entry John Henry Brennick
2000 Highlander: Endgame Connor MacLeod
2001 Aparté Short film
2001 Druids Vercingetorix as Christophe Lambert
2001 Mazinkaiser Additional Voices Video game
2001 Point Men, TheThe Point Men Tony Eckhardt
2002 King of Bandit Jing Additional Voices Television miniseries, credited as Chris Lambert
2002 Piano Player, TheThe Piano Player Alex Laney
2003 Absolon Detective Norman Scot
2003 Janis and John Léon
2004 À ton image Thomas
2005 Dalida Richard Chanfray, dit le comte de Saint-Germain Television miniseries
2006 Day of Wrath Ruy de Mendoza
2006 Southland Tales Walter Mung
2006 Lièvre de Vatanen, LeLe Lièvre de Vatanen Tom Vatanen as Christophe Lambert
2007 Metamorphosis Constantine Thurzo
2007 Trivial Jacques as Christophe Lambert
2008 The Chauffeur Devereaux
2008 Cartagena Cine Nomine Thelma Films, Arte France Cinéma
2009 White Material Andre Vial as Christophe Lambert
2009 Associés, LesLes Associés Philippe Kaminski Television film, credited as Christophe Lambert
2009 L'homme de chevet Leo as Christophe Lambert
2010 Secret of the Whales, TheThe Secret of the Whales Chris Cassell Television film
2012 Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance Methodius
2012 Blood Shot The President
2012 The Foreigner[20] Vincent
2012–2013 NCIS: Los Angeles Marcel Janvier / The Chameleon TV series (6 episodes)
2013 The Gardener of God[21] Gregor Mendel
2015 Shades of Truth[22] Cardinal Ennio Salvemini
2015 10 Days in a Madhouse[23] Dr. Dent
2015 Un plus une Samuel Hamon
2016 Hail, Caesar! Arne Slessum
2016 La folle histoire de Max et Léon Captain Lassard
2017 Chacun sa vie et son intime conviction
2017 Kickboxer: Retaliation Thomas Moore

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Christopher Lambert profile". FilmReference.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  2. ↑ Davies, Lizzie (17 June 2010). "How Christophe Lambert went from action flops to arthouse acclaim". The Guardian. London, UK. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  3. ↑ César Awards official site, last accessed 21 November 2007
  4. ↑ "Test : Monde du silence (Le)". EcranLarge.com. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  5. ↑ "The Arrow interviews...Christopher Lambert!". Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  6. ↑ What Ever Happened To... Christopher Lambert?
  7. ↑ "Christophe Lambert : portrait d'un acteur français de talent". Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "Peplums - Vercingétorix". Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  9. ↑ "Review: Running Scared: Claire Denis' White Material". Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  10. ↑ "How Christophe Lambert went from action flops to arthouse acclaim". The Guardian. 17 June 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  11. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes". Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  12. ↑ "Announcement of Ghost Rider 2 casting". Official Christopher Lambert Website. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  13. ↑ "Ghost Rider 2 Casting Updates". Fusedfilm.com. 12 October 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  14. ↑ "La bonne étoile de Christophe Lambert" (in French). TVMag.com. 25 February 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  15. ↑ Dougherty, Margot; David Hutchings (13 February 1989). "Diane Lane, with a New Husband and No Fear of Flying, Takes Wing Again in Lonesome Dove". People. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  16. ↑ Atkinson, Michael (2008). Exile cinema: filmmakers at work beyond Hollywood. SUNY Press. pp. 82–86.
  17. ↑ "Sophie Marceau interview" (in German). sz-magazin.sueddeutsche.de. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  18. ↑ http://www.iodonna.it/personaggi/interviste-gallery/2016/01/19/alba-parietti-e-christopher-lambert-ritorno-di-fiamma-20-anni-dopo/
  19. ↑ "From Apeman to Mogul". EW.com. 23 September 1993.
  20. ↑ "The Foreigner (I) (2012)". Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  21. ↑ "The Gardener of God (2010)".
  22. ↑ "Shades of Truth (2015)".
  23. ↑ "10 Days in a Madhouse (2015)".
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Christopher Lambert.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/1/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.