- Christopher Lambert
-
This article is about the actor. For the footballer, see Christophe Lambert. For the manager of The Who, see Kit Lambert.
Christopher Lambert 
Lambert at the 66th Venice International Film Festival, 2009Born Christophe Guy Denis Lambert
March 29, 1957
Great Neck, New York
United StatesSpouse Diane Lane (1988–1994)
Jaimyse Haft (1999–2000)Partner Sophie Marceau (2007–present) Website Official site Christophe Guy Denis "Christopher" Lambert (born March 29, 1957) is an American-born French actor who has appeared in French, European and American productions. He is best known for his role as Connor MacLeod, or simply "The Highlander", from the movie 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. He is credited in French-speaking countries as Christophe Lambert.
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Early life
Lambert was born in Great Neck, New York. His father was a French diplomat in the UN. Lambert grew up in Geneva, Switzerland, to where his family had moved when he was two, before returning to Paris when he was 16. He first gained an interest in acting after participating in a school play at the age of twelve. His parents however wanted him to have a job with security and saw acting as unsafe, so to please his parents he took a job with the London Stock Exchange, but after about six months he left the L.S.E. to help a friend run a shop in Paris. He also served in the French military at his father's insistence.
Career
After appearing in supporting parts in several French films, Christopher 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.[1] 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 of the television series.
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 met with a very poor reception.[2]
During the 1990s, Lambert starred in action, thriller and science fiction films such as Knight Moves, Fortress (1993), Gunmen (1994) and Mean Guns (1997), or 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 enjoyed only direct-to-video release.[3][4] 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.
In 2001, he played the lead role of Gallic chieftain Vercingetorix in the France-Canada production Druids, which was a critical and financial failure.[5]
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).[6]
In 2009, Lambert was a lead in Claire Denis' White Material; both the film and Lambert's performance received critical acclaim.[7][8][9]
Lambert has also been cast in the upcoming Marvel Comics film Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.[10] His role has not yet been disclosed, though he has revealed that he was required to undergo "sword training for 3 months"[11] and shave his head.[12]
Personal life
Lambert was married to Diane Lane from 1988 to 1994.[13] Their daughter, Eleanor Jasmine, was born on September 5, 1993.[13] He married Jaimyse Haft in February 1999.[citation needed] Since 2007, Lambert has been in a relation with Sophie Marceau, with whom he appeared in La disparue de Deauville.[14]
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.[15] His myopia is often credited as being part of his appeal, by giving his stare a peculiar charm.[16]
Winery
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. The label, Les Garrigues de Beaumard-Lambert, tops out at 4,000 cases and is sold mostly in Europe. Beaumard has primary creative control of the winery, but Lambert conducts barrel tests and monitors the various stages of evolution.[17] Novus Vinum gave his vintage 1998 Les Garrigues a score of 13/20.
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes 1979 Ciao, les mecs Un loubard à la soirée dansante Film Debut (as Christophe Lambert) 1980 The Telephone Bar Paul "Bébé" Franchi (as Christophe Lambert) 1981 Douchka TV Movie Asphalt 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 (1 Episode) 1984 Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes John Clayton/Tarzan 1985 Paroles et musique Jeremy (as Christophe Lambert) Subway Fred Nominated César Award for Best Actor (as Christophe Lambert) 1986 Highlander Connor MacLeod/Russell Nash I Love You Michel (as Christophe Lambert) 1987 The 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 Highlander: The Series Connor MacLeod TV (1 Episode) Max & Jeremie Jeremie Kolachowsky (as Christophe Lambert) Fortress John Henry Brennick 1993 Loaded Weapon 1 Man with Car Phone (Uncredited) 1994 Gunmen Dani Servigo Roadflower Jack Highlander III: The Sorcerer Connor MacLeod/Russell Nash 1995 The Hunted Paul Racine Mortal Kombat Lord Raiden 1996 North Star Hudson Saanteek (as Christophe Lambert) Adrenalin: Fear the Rush Lemieux Hercule & Sherlock Vincent (as Christophe Lambert) 1997 Nirvana Jimi Dini Arlette Frank Martin (as Christophe Lambert) Mean Guns Lou 1999 Operation Splitsville Max, P.E. Teacher Resurrection John Prudhomme Beowulf Beowulf Gideon Gideon Oliver Dobbs 2000 Fortress 2 John Henry Brennick Highlander: Endgame Connor MacLeod 2001 Aparté Short Film Vercingétorix Vercingetorix (as Christophe Lambert) Mazinkaiser Additional Voices Video Game (unnacredited) The Point Men Tony Eckhardt 2002 King of Bandit Jing Additional Voices TV Miniseries (as Chris Lambert) The Piano Player Alex Laney 2003 Absolon Detective Norman Scot Janis and John Léon 2004 Á ton image Thomas 2005 Dalida Richard Chanfray, dit le comte de Saint-Germain TV Miniseries 2006 Day of Wrath Ruy de Mendoza Southland Tales Walter Mung Le lièvre de Vatanen Tom Vatanen (as Christophe Lambert) 2007 Metamorphosis Constantine Thurzo Trivial Jacques (as Christophe Lambert) 2008 The Chauffeur Devereaux 2009 White Material Andre Vial (as Christophe Lambert) Les associés Philippe Kaminski TV Movie (as Christophe Lambert) L'homme de chevet Leo (as Christophe Lambert) 2010 The Secret of the Whales Chris Cassell TV Movie 2011 The Last Tango Roberto Pre-Production Dark Star Hollow David Sinclair Pre-Production 2012 Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance A Monk Post-Production The Expendables 2 Nicky Post-Production (Rumored) References
- ^ César Awards official site, last accessed November 21, 2007
- ^ Ecranlarge.com – Portrait : Christophe Lambert
- ^ Christopher Lambert interview
- ^ What Ever Happened To... Christopher Lambert?
- ^ Peplums info : Vercingétorix
- ^ Christophe Lambert : portrait d'un acteur français de talent
- ^ "Review: Running Scared: Claire Denis' White Material". http://www.indiewire.com/article/white_material. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
- ^ "How Christophe Lambert went from action flops to arthouse acclaim". The Guardian. June 17, 2010. http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/jun/17/christophe-lambert-white-material-highlander. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
- ^ "Rotten Tomatoes". http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/white_material/. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
- ^ "Announcement of Ghost Rider 2 casting". Official Christopher Lambert Website. November 17, 2010. http://www.debzdesignz.com/christopherlambert/. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
- ^ "Ghost Rider 2 Casting Updates: Ciaran Hinds, Iris Elba, Johnny Whitworth & Christopher Lambert". Fusedfilm.com. October 12, 2010. http://www.fusedfilm.com/2010/10/ghost-rider-2-casting-updates-ciaran-hinds-idris-elba-johnny-whitworth-christopher-lambert/. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
- ^ "La bonne étoile de Christophe Lambert (French language)". TVMag.com. February 25, 2011. http://tvmag.lefigaro.fr/programme-tv/article/people/59695/la-bonne-etoile-de-christophe-lambert.html. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
- ^ a b Dougherty, Margot; David Hutchings (1989-02-13). "Diane Lane, with a New Husband and No Fear of Flying, Takes Wing Again in Lonesome Dove". People. http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20119558,00.html. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
- ^ Atkinson, Michael. "Exile cinema: filmmakers at work beyond Hollywood" in SUNY Press, 2008, pp. 82-86.
- ^ From Apeman to Mogul EW.com (September 23, 1993)
- ^ La Disparue de Deauville
- ^ "Les Garrigues de Beaumard-Lambert: A Remarkable Wine Pairing". http://gayot.com Gayot. September 17, 2008. http://www.novusvinum.com/interviews/beaumard-lambert.html. Retrieved September 30, 2008.
External links
Honorary titles Preceded by
Miles O'Keeffe
in Tarzan, the Ape ManActors to portray Tarzan
1984
in Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the ApesSucceeded by
Joe Lara
in Tarzan: The Epic AdventuresCésar Award for Best Actor 
1976 Philippe Noiret · 1977 Michel Galabru · 1978 Jean Rochefort · 1979 Michel Serrault · 1980 Claude Brasseur · 1981 Gérard Depardieu · 1982 Michel Serrault · 1983 Philippe Léotard · 1984 Coluche · 1985 Alain Delon · 1986 Christophe Lambert · 1987 Daniel Auteuil · 1988 Richard Bohringer · 1989 Jean-Paul Belmondo · 1990 Philippe Noiret · 1991 Gérard Depardieu · 1992 Jacques Dutronc · 1993 Claude Rich · 1994 Pierre Arditi · 1995 Gérard Lanvin · 1996 Michel Serrault · 1997 Philippe Torreton · 1998 André Dussollier · 1999 Jacques Villeret · 2000 Daniel Auteuil · 2001 Sergi López · 2002 Michel Bouquet · 2003 Adrien Brody · 2004 Omar Sharif · 2005 Mathieu Amalric · 2006 Michel Bouquet · 2007 François Cluzet · 2008 Mathieu Amalric · 2009 Vincent Cassel · 2010 Tahar Rahim · 2011 Éric Elmosnino
Categories:- 1957 births
- César Award winners
- French film actors
- French film producers
- French television actors
- Living people
- People from Great Neck, New York
- Actors from New York
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