Gérard Lanvin

Born to an upper-class family, Lanvin quit his studies when he was 17 to become an actor, against the wishes of his parents. For several years he made a living selling second-hand clothes. While selling jeans, he met Coluche and Miou-Miou and discovered through them the café-théâtre scene. He later become a regular performer at the Café de la Gare, where he also held various duties such as stagehand and lighting manager.^[4] In 1975, he created the theater La Veuve Pichard in Paris, together with other actors including Anémone and Martin Lamotte.^[5]

Coluche offered him his first major film role in the comedy Vous n'aurez pas l'Alsace et la Lorraine (1977). However, following the film's box-office failure, Lanvin struggled for a time to find roles. In 1980, he played a starring role in the drama A Week's Vacation. Lanvin next gained notice for his role in the psychological thriller Strange Affair (1981), which earned him the Jean-Gabin Award. Lanvin then starred in several crime and action films, including the dystopic science fiction thriller Le prix du danger (1983).^[6]

In 1984, Lanvin enjoyed particular success by co-starring with Michel Blanc in the comedy film Marche à l'ombre. This was followed the next year by another box-office hit, the action film Les Spécialistes, in which Lanvin co-starred with Bernard Giraudeau.^[6]

Several of Lanvin's subsequent films were commercial disappointments, notably the romantic comedy Moi vouloir toi (1986) which he had scripted as a vehicle for himself and his wife Jennifer.^[6] In 1994, he returned to success by starring in the drama The Favourite Son for which he won the César Award for Best Actor.^[7]

During the 2000s, Lanvin appeared in several popular comedies, winning the César Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role with The Taste of Others (2000). Other box-office successes included the comedies 3 Zéros (2002), Camping (2006) and the gangster film Les Lyonnais (2011).^[6]

Lanvin has been married since 1984 to Chantal Benoist, who was active during the 1970s and 1980s as an actress, model and disco singer under the stage name Jennifer. They have two children.^[8]

• 1982: Jean-Gabin Award for Strange Affair
• 1995: The Favourite Son for The Favourite Son
• 2001: César Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for The Taste of Others