Olivier Martinez
Encyclopedia
Olivier Martinez is a French film actor. He became known after roles in several French films such as Un, deux, trois, soleil
(1993), which garnered him the César Award
for "Most Promising Actor", The Horseman on the Roof
(1995), and The Chambermaid on the Titanic
(1997). He has also appeared in Hollywood-produced features, including Before Night Falls
(2000) and Unfaithful and S.W.A.T.
(2003). Martinez has been involved in some high-profile relationships which have been well documented in the media, including Mira Sorvino
, Kylie Minogue
, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
, and currently Halle Berry
.
, France to a working-class family. His father was a Spanish
professional boxer born in Spanish Morocco and his mother was a French secretary. He studied at the prestigious CNSAD
and began his acting career in his native France in 1990, and quickly achieved a relative success.
Martinez was raised Roman Catholic.
as "Most Promising Actor" for his role in Un, deux, trois, soleil
(1993). This was followed by a leading role in Jean-Paul Rappeneau
period film The Horseman on the Roof
(Le Hussard sur le Toit) in 1995 in which he starred alongside Juliette Binoche
as an Italian nobleman. The film was hailed as the most expensive French film at that time in history but failed to reach its $35 million budget. In 1996/7 he appeared in Bertrand Blier
's romantic comedy My Man (Mon Homme) alongside Anouk Grinberg, Gérard Lanvin
, and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi
. Later in 1997 he played a leading role in Bigas Luna
's drama The Chambermaid on the Titanic
(La Femme de chambre du Titanic) alongside Romane Bohringer
, set during the time of the Titanic's sinking voyage in 1912. Martinex portrays a French foundry worker who wins a strongman contest and the its prize of a trip to Southampton
to see the launch of the Titanic. The film was well-received; Mick LaSelle of the San Francisco Chronicle
praised what he felt was a rare honest portrayal of male sexuality by Martinez.
Martinez first came to mainstream attention in Hollywood films with his performance in Julian Schnabel
's Before Night Falls
(2000) opposite Javier Bardem
and Johnny Depp
. The screenplay is based on the autobiography of the same name
of Reinaldo Arenas
, which was published in English in 1993. The film was highly critically acclaimed, although Martinez's performance was overshadowed by that of Bardem in the eyes of critics. He was later noted for his performance opposite Diane Lane
in Unfaithful (2002). He has since appeared in a television adaptation of The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone
(2003), S. W. A. T. (2003) and Taking Lives
(2004). He also starred as Gabriel in the 2007 movie adaptation of Blood and Chocolate
, a popular book.
and singer Kylie Minogue
for several years and also English model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
. He is currently dating actress Halle Berry
.
1, 2, 3, Sun
-Plot:The film follows the life of a young woman in the poor section of Marseille, France. She has to deal with many things, including a drunken father and harassing cliques...
(1993), which garnered him the César Award
César Award
The César Award is the national film award of France, first given out in 1975. The nominations are selected by the members of the Académie des arts et techniques du cinéma....
for "Most Promising Actor", The Horseman on the Roof
The Horseman on the Roof
The Horseman on the Roof is a 1995 French film directed by Jean-Paul Rappeneau, and starring Juliette Binoche and Olivier Martinez...
(1995), and The Chambermaid on the Titanic
The Chambermaid on the Titanic
The Chambermaid on the Titanic is a 1997 French drama film directed by Bigas Luna, starring Oliver Martinez, Romane Bohringer and Aitana Sanchez-Gijon. It is based on the novel La Femme de chambre du Titanic by Didier Decoin...
(1997). He has also appeared in Hollywood-produced features, including Before Night Falls
Before Night Falls (film)
Before Night Falls is a 2000 film directed by Julian Schnabel. The screenplay is based on the autobiography of the same name of Reinaldo Arenas, which was published in English in 1993. The screenplay was written by Schnabel, Cunningham O'Keefe, and Lázaro Gómez Carriles...
(2000) and Unfaithful and S.W.A.T.
S.W.A.T. (film)
S.W.A.T. is a 2003 action-crime film directed by Clark Johnson, and is based on the 1975 television series of the same name. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, LL Cool J and Michelle Rodriguez. It was produced by Neal H...
(2003). Martinez has been involved in some high-profile relationships which have been well documented in the media, including Mira Sorvino
Mira Sorvino
Mira Katherine Sorvino is an American actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Mighty Aphrodite and is also known for her role as Romy White in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.- Early life :Sorvino was born in Tenafly, New Jersey...
, Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Rosie Alice Huntington-Whiteley is an English model and actress, best known for her work for lingerie retailer Victoria's Secret and Burberry, and also for her role as Carly Spencer in the 2011 film Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the third installment in the Transformers film series.-Early life...
, and currently Halle Berry
Halle Berry
Halle Berry is an American actress and a former fashion model. Berry received an Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG, and an NAACP Image Award for Introducing Dorothy Dandridge and won an Academy Award for Best Actress and was nominated for a BAFTA Award in 2001 for her performance in Monster's Ball, becoming...
.
Early life
Martinez was born in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France to a working-class family. His father was a Spanish
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
professional boxer born in Spanish Morocco and his mother was a French secretary. He studied at the prestigious CNSAD
CNSAD
The Conservatoire National Supérieur d'Art Dramatique is France's national drama academy in Paris...
and began his acting career in his native France in 1990, and quickly achieved a relative success.
Martinez was raised Roman Catholic.
Career
In 1994, Martinez won a César AwardCésar Award
The César Award is the national film award of France, first given out in 1975. The nominations are selected by the members of the Académie des arts et techniques du cinéma....
as "Most Promising Actor" for his role in Un, deux, trois, soleil
1, 2, 3, Sun
-Plot:The film follows the life of a young woman in the poor section of Marseille, France. She has to deal with many things, including a drunken father and harassing cliques...
(1993). This was followed by a leading role in Jean-Paul Rappeneau
Jean-Paul Rappeneau
Jean-Paul Rappeneau is a French film director, screenwriter, and actor.He started out in film as an assistant and screenwriter collaborating with Louis Malle on Zazie dans le metro in 1960 and Vie privee in 1961...
period film The Horseman on the Roof
The Horseman on the Roof
The Horseman on the Roof is a 1995 French film directed by Jean-Paul Rappeneau, and starring Juliette Binoche and Olivier Martinez...
(Le Hussard sur le Toit) in 1995 in which he starred alongside Juliette Binoche
Juliette Binoche
Juliette Binoche is a French actress, artist and dancer. She has appeared in more than 40 feature films, been recipient of numerous international accolades, is a published author and has appeared on stage across the world. Coming from an artistic background, she began taking acting lessons during...
as an Italian nobleman. The film was hailed as the most expensive French film at that time in history but failed to reach its $35 million budget. In 1996/7 he appeared in Bertrand Blier
Bertrand Blier
Bertrand Blier is a French screenwriter and film director.Born in Boulogne-Billancourt, France. He is the son of Bernard Blier....
's romantic comedy My Man (Mon Homme) alongside Anouk Grinberg, Gérard Lanvin
Gérard Lanvin
Gérard Lanvin is a César Award-winning French actor. He quit his studies when he was 17 to become an actor. He took on a role in Vous n'aurez pas l'Alsace et la Lorraine in 1977 on an offer from actor Coluche. He received the Prix Jean Gabin in 1982 for his role in Une étrange affaire...
, and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi
Valeria Bruni Tedeschi
Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, also spelled Bruni-Tedeschi, is an Italian-French actress.-Personal life:...
. Later in 1997 he played a leading role in Bigas Luna
Bigas Luna
Juan José Bigas Luna is a Spanish film director. He began his professional career in the design world, creating the Estudio Gris with Carlos Riart in 1969. In his earlier exhibitions, at the beginning of the sixties, he showed a great interest in conceptual art and the emerging visual technologies...
's drama The Chambermaid on the Titanic
The Chambermaid on the Titanic
The Chambermaid on the Titanic is a 1997 French drama film directed by Bigas Luna, starring Oliver Martinez, Romane Bohringer and Aitana Sanchez-Gijon. It is based on the novel La Femme de chambre du Titanic by Didier Decoin...
(La Femme de chambre du Titanic) alongside Romane Bohringer
Romane Bohringer
Romane Bohringer is a French actress, film director, screenwriter and costume designer. She is the daughter of Richard Bohringer and sister of Lou Bohringer. Her parents named her after Roman Polanski....
, set during the time of the Titanic's sinking voyage in 1912. Martinex portrays a French foundry worker who wins a strongman contest and the its prize of a trip to Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
to see the launch of the Titanic. The film was well-received; Mick LaSelle of the San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Chronicle
thumb|right|upright|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireThe San Francisco Chronicle is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California,...
praised what he felt was a rare honest portrayal of male sexuality by Martinez.
Martinez first came to mainstream attention in Hollywood films with his performance in Julian Schnabel
Julian Schnabel
Julian Schnabel is an American artist and filmmaker. In the 1980s, Schnabel received international media attention for his "plate paintings"—large-scale paintings set on broken ceramic plates....
's Before Night Falls
Before Night Falls (film)
Before Night Falls is a 2000 film directed by Julian Schnabel. The screenplay is based on the autobiography of the same name of Reinaldo Arenas, which was published in English in 1993. The screenplay was written by Schnabel, Cunningham O'Keefe, and Lázaro Gómez Carriles...
(2000) opposite Javier Bardem
Javier Bardem
Javier Ángel Encinas Bardem is a Spanish actor. In 2007 he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as sociopathic assassin Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men, and has also garnered critical acclaim for roles in films such as Jamón, jamón, Carne trémula, Boca a boca, Los...
and Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp
John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II is an American actor, producer and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor. Depp rose to prominence on the 1980s television series 21 Jump Street, becoming a teen idol...
. The screenplay is based on the autobiography of the same name
Before Night Falls
Before Night Falls is the 1992 autobiography of Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas, describing his life in Cuba, his time in prison, and his ultimate escape to the United States. It was on The New York Times list of the ten best books of the year 1993...
of Reinaldo Arenas
Reinaldo Arenas
Reinaldo Arenas was a Cuban poet, novelist, and playwright who despite his early sympathy for the 1959 revolution, grew critical of and then rebelled against the Cuban government.- Life :...
, which was published in English in 1993. The film was highly critically acclaimed, although Martinez's performance was overshadowed by that of Bardem in the eyes of critics. He was later noted for his performance opposite Diane Lane
Diane Lane
Diane Lane is an American film actress.Born and raised in New York City, Lane made her screen debut at the age of 13 in George Roy Hill's 1979 film A Little Romance, starring opposite Sir Laurence Olivier. Soon after, she was featured on the cover of Time magazine...
in Unfaithful (2002). He has since appeared in a television adaptation of The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone
The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone
The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone is a 1961 British film made by Seven Arts-Warner Bros. It was directed by José Quintero and produced by Louis De Rochemont with Lothar Wolff as associate producer. The screenplay was written by Gavin Lambert and Jan Read and based on the novel by Tennessee Williams...
(2003), S. W. A. T. (2003) and Taking Lives
Taking Lives (film)
Taking Lives is a 2004 psychological thriller film starring Angelina Jolie and Ethan Hawke. The film was marketed with the tagline "He would kill to be you."...
(2004). He also starred as Gabriel in the 2007 movie adaptation of Blood and Chocolate
Blood and Chocolate
Blood & Chocolate is a 1986 album by Elvis Costello and the AttractionsBlood & Chocolate may also refer to:*Blood and Chocolate , a 1997 supernatural werewolf novel by Annette Curtis Klause...
, a popular book.
Personal life
Martinez has dated a string of top models, actresses and other prominent women in the entertainment industry and has acquired a reputation as a womanizer. He dated actress Mira SorvinoMira Sorvino
Mira Katherine Sorvino is an American actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Mighty Aphrodite and is also known for her role as Romy White in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.- Early life :Sorvino was born in Tenafly, New Jersey...
and singer Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
for several years and also English model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Rosie Alice Huntington-Whiteley is an English model and actress, best known for her work for lingerie retailer Victoria's Secret and Burberry, and also for her role as Carly Spencer in the 2011 film Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the third installment in the Transformers film series.-Early life...
. He is currently dating actress Halle Berry
Halle Berry
Halle Berry is an American actress and a former fashion model. Berry received an Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG, and an NAACP Image Award for Introducing Dorothy Dandridge and won an Academy Award for Best Actress and was nominated for a BAFTA Award in 2001 for her performance in Monster's Ball, becoming...
.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Navaro | Rollo | Episode "Barbès de l'aube à l'aurore" |
| 1990 | Plein Fer | Pascal | |
| 1992 | Odyssée Bidon | Phil | |
| 1992 | IP5: L'île aux Pachydermes | Tony | |
| 1992 | Les Paroles invisibles | ||
| 1993 | 1, 2, 3, Sun 1, 2, 3, Sun -Plot:The film follows the life of a young woman in the poor section of Marseille, France. She has to deal with many things, including a drunken father and harassing cliques... |
Petit Paul | |
| 1995 | Le Hussard sur le toit | Angelo Pardi | |
| 1996 | Mon Homme Mon Homme (film) My Man is a 1996 French film directed by Bertrand Blier.-Cast and roles:* Anouk Grinberg - Marie Abarth* Gérard Lanvin - Jeannot* Valeria Bruni Tedeschi - Sanguine* Olivier Martinez - Jean-François* Dominique Valadié - Gilberte... |
Jean-François | |
| 1997 | La Femme de chambre du Titanic | Horty | |
| 1999 | La Ciudad de los prodigios | Onofre Bouvila | |
| 2000 | Nosotras | David | |
| 2000 | La Taule | Le Muet | |
| 2000 | Toreros | Manuel | |
| 2000 | Before Night Falls Before Night Falls (film) Before Night Falls is a 2000 film directed by Julian Schnabel. The screenplay is based on the autobiography of the same name of Reinaldo Arenas, which was published in English in 1993. The screenplay was written by Schnabel, Cunningham O'Keefe, and Lázaro Gómez Carriles... |
Lázaro Gómez Carriles | |
| 2000 | Bullfighter | Jack | |
| 2002 | Semana Santa | Quemanda | |
| 2002 | Unfaithful | Paul Martel | |
| 2003 | The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone | Paolo di Lio | Television film |
| 2003 | S.W.A.T. S.W.A.T. (film) S.W.A.T. is a 2003 action-crime film directed by Clark Johnson, and is based on the 1975 television series of the same name. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, LL Cool J and Michelle Rodriguez. It was produced by Neal H... |
Alex Montel | |
| 2004 | Taking Lives Taking Lives (film) Taking Lives is a 2004 psychological thriller film starring Angelina Jolie and Ethan Hawke. The film was marketed with the tagline "He would kill to be you."... |
Paquette | |
| 2007 | Blood and Chocolate Blood and Chocolate (film) Blood & Chocolate is a 2007 film directed by Katja von Garnier, produced by Lakeshore Entertainment and distributed by MGM. It is very loosely based on the young-adult novel of the same name by Annette Curtis Klause, which was adapted into a screenplay by Ehren Kruger. The movie was released on DVD... |
Gabriel | |
| 2011 | Dark Tide Dark Tide Dark Tide is an American thriller film directed by John Stockwell, produced by Jeanette Buerling and Matthew E. Chausse and written by Ronnie Christensen and Amy Sorlie... |
Jeff Mathieson | Post-Production |
External links
- "Olivier!", Cinetropic.com