28 Years Ago He Debuted on TV: Can You Guess This Now-Famous Actor?

Whether they’re from France or elsewhere around the globe, many of the biggest stars had beginnings that were either highly publicized or flew completely under the radar. Today’s subject is a French actor who hasn’t won a César, but he has clinched a Best Actor award and an Oscar!

Can You Guess This Actor?

Before he ventured into film, Jean Dujardin was part of the “Bande du Carré Blanc,” which later transformed into Nous ç nous. Their television debut came in 1997, performing sketches on Patrick Sébastien’s shows. One of their notable acts included a three-part parody of Star Wars.

That same year, Dujardin, along with fellow troupe member Bruno Salomone, were selected by Laurent Baffie to host a short segment on his comedy show Farce attaque, broadcasted on the Comédie! channel.

From “Un gars, une fille” to His First Cinema Role

In 1999, his part in “Un gars, une fille” solidified his presence in Francophone households. Alongside Alexandra Lamy, he played one half of an “ordinary” couple, bringing humor and relatability to the screen. His first film role came in 2002 with “Ah! Si j’étais riche,” directed by Gérard Bitton and Michel Munz.

In the film, he portrays an obsequious luxury shoe salesman who inadvertently becomes a hiding spot for the protagonist played by Jean-Pierre Darroussin, a man who has just won a large sum of money and wishes to keep it secret.

From 2003, Dujardin’s career took a significant turn as he played one of the lead roles in the dark comedy “Bienvenue chez les Rozes.” After moving on from “Un gars, une fille,” he dedicated himself entirely to cinema, featuring in films such as “Mariages!” and “Le Convoyeur.” His roles in “Brice de Nice” (2005) and “OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies” (2006) cemented his reputation as one of the fresh faces of French comedy.