Jean-Paul Belmondo

Has two daughters and a son by his first wife Elodie Constant: Patricia Belmondo (1953-1993), Florence Belmondo (b. 1958) and Paul Belmondo (b. 1963).

The son of the renowned French sculptor Paul Belmondo, he studied at Conservatoire National Superieur d'Art Dramatique (CNSAD); after the minor stage performances he made his screen debut in À pied, à cheval et en voiture (1957) but the episodes with his participation were cut before release.

However, the breakthrough role in Jean-Luc Godard's Breathless (1960) made him one of the key figures in the French New Wave. Since mid-60s he completely switched to commercial mainstream pictures and became a big comedy and action star in France. Following the example of Alain Delon he founded his own production company Cerito named after his grandmother's maiden name.

Was considered for Steve McQueen's role in The Thomas Crown Affair (1968).

Belmondo always performed his own stunts but ceased to do so after an accident during the filming of Hold-Up (1985).

Has his look-alike puppet in the French show Les Guignols de l'info (1988).

In 1989 he was awarded Cesar for his performance in Itinéraire d'un enfant gâté (1988). Recently he returned to stage performing in the Theatre Marigny in Paris. He still appears in the movies but not so often as before preferring mostly dramatic roles. The president of France distinguished him with order of Legion of Honour. Belmondo has daughter Florence and son Paul.

His elder daughter Patricia died in a fire in 1993.

Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#52). [1995]

Belmondo's name was in the headlines in Hollywood in April 1996, when he lashed out at the Hollywood studios and distributors. The actor was furious that his film Désiré (1996) was on only 20 screen in France while American films, such as Toy Story (1995), were on 500. He claimed that French theatre chains were "on their knees before Hollywood. When I hear them talk about defending French cinema, I can only laugh." (The American market share of movie ticket sales in France was 54 percent at the time, compared to only 35 percent for French-made product.).

While in Corsica, Jean-Paul suffered a stroke that left the right side of his face paralyzed. He was transferred to a Paris hospital and was released from intensive care after 6 days. [August 2001]

Cohabited with Nathalie Tardivel better known as "Natty" from 1989 to 2002 before marrying on 29 December 2002.

His second wife Natty Belmondo gave birth to a girl Stella on 13 August 2003.

Has been Commander of France's Legion of Honor since 2007.