Top 5 Famous Black French Actors
*Originally published by Molli in October 2020 and Updated by Gloria N on January 2024
If you’re a movie buff, you’ve likely watched a few French movies already. And, if you’re not, you’ve probably heard of some of the more famous films like The Intouchables, Blue is the Warmest Color or La Haine.
If you’re looking for a French movie that stars a Black actor, a good place to start is to learn a little bit more about the most famous Black actors in France. Keep reading for my list of the top 5, and, don’t worry, I’ll also include some of my favorite move recommendations!
1. Omar Sy
First up on my list is one of my personal favorite actors, Omar Sy. Sy began his career almost immediately after he finished high school, and he got his start in stand-up comedy. Early on, he met another comedy named Fred Testot, and the pair would go on to work together for years. If you speak French and are looking for a laugh, I definitely recommend their show, Service après-vente des émissions!
Sy eventually moved onto movies. In 2011, he starred in Intouchables (The Intouchables in English), which tells the story of a quadriplegic who hires an unlikely man (played by Sy) to be his caregiver. Sy’s character has no experience in caregiving and in fact, only applies for the job so that he can continue to collect unemployment. It’s a beautiful film and a must-watch if you want to get to know Sy’s more serious side!
Movie to watch: Intouchables
2. Lucien Jean-Baptiste
Lucien Jean-Baptiste is a French actor, director, and writer. He is most well-known for his voice: he often plays the French voice for English speaking actors like Will Smith, Chris Rock, and Ice Cube in French-dubbed versions of American movies. French fans of the hospital series Scrubs will recognize his voice as the character Christopher Turk!
Jean-Baptiste also starred and directed several French movies. His most famous is perhaps La Première Étoile (Let it Snow in English), which is a comedy about a family who goes skiing for the first time. The film was written and directed by Jean-Baptiste and it is semi-autobiographical. He also plays the main character in the film!
Movie to watch: La Première Étoile
3. Eriq Ebouaney
Have you ever seen the movie about the Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba appropriately called Lumumba? If you have, you definitely recognize French actor Eric Ebouaney for his role as the Prime Minister! He excelled in the role and received several accolades for his portrayal of Lumumba in the months leading up to Congo’s independence from Belgium in 1960.
Ebouaney never really showed an interest in acting until he was 30 years old. He decided to leave his job in business and joined a theatre company. Ebouaney has since gone on to star in several French movies as well as English ones. If you’ve seen Kingdom of Heaven with Liam Neeson, Orlando Bloom, and Michael Sheen, you probably recognize him from his role as Firuz as well!
Movie to watch: Lumumba
4. Hubert Koundé
I mentioned the French film La Haine above. It’s sometimes difficult to watch, but I definitely recommend that you do. It tells the story of a group of three friends living in the suburbs of Paris in the 1990s and their struggles. Hubert Koundé, number 4 on my list of famous Black French actors, plays one of the friends (his character is also named Hubert). The film also stars another famous French actor, Vincent Cassel as one of the main characters.
Koundé is also a writer and has written two plays and directed several short films. And, if you have seen the movie The Constant Gardener, which stars Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz, you may recognize Koundé from his role as Arnold Bluhm!
Movie to watch: La Haine
5. Thomas Ngijol
The last famous Black French actor on my list is more of a comedian than an actor, but he has also starred in both movies and television. And, don’t we all need a little bit of humor in our lives anyway?!
Thomas Ngijol translates jokes, does stand-up, acts, and directs. Like Omar Sy, Ngijol got his start in stand-up. He went on to help found the Jamel Comedy Club, a famous French comedy show that actually featured Sy at one point!
In 2010 he moved onto cinema and starred in the movie Case départ, a controversial comedy about slavery in The Antilles in the 18th century. Despite the sensitive subject matter, the film was a hit amongst viewers and critics. Ngijol co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in the movie, alongside his partner in comedy another French actor Fabrice Éboué. After the success of Case départ, Ngijol went on to star in other comedies such as Vilaine. He tried his hand at writing and directing on his own with the film Fastlife, but it wasn’t as well-received as his other projects.
Movie to watch: Case départ
10 Best French Movie Producers
1. Luc Besson
Luc Besson is a famous French director and producer. He makes very entertaining action movies. One of his most popular movies is ‘The Fifth Element’ from 1997. It has amazing visuals and an exciting story. Besson also made ‘The Professional’ in 1994. That movie has great drama and thrilling action scenes. He helped actress Natalie Portman become famous.
Overall, Luc Besson makes creative, unique movies that people all over the world love. Besson shows he is the best French movie director through his fun stories and interesting characters. His exciting films inspire many other directors.
2. Xavier Giannoli
Xavier Giannoli is a talented French filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer. He makes thoughtful dramas that explore the human spirit. One excellent movie he directed is “Marguerite” from 2015. It tells the story of a wealthy woman who loves to sing opera but has a terrible voice.
His films feature strong acting and directing. They find poetry and meaning in everyday life. Xavier Giannoli makes French movies that touch the heart. His unique vision and focus on timeless stories show he is one of the best French directors. His emotional, honest films connect with viewers worldwide.
3. Jean-Jacques Annaud
Jean-Jacques Annaud is a renowned French director and producer known for epic, visually stunning films. One of his most acclaimed works is “Seven Years in Tibet” from 1997. It tells the incredible true story of Austrian climber Heinrich Harrer and his friendship with the Dalai Lama. The beautiful cinematography and moving performances transport viewers. Annaud also directed “The Name of the Rose” in 1986.
His movies are ambitious in scale and craftsmanship. They take audiences on unforgettable journeys to exotic lands and periods. With his cinematic eye for dramatic landscapes and dedication to bringing history to life, Jean-Jacques Annaud has created some of France’s most spectacular and enduring films.
4. Matthieu Kassovitz
In addition to his acclaimed directorial work on films like La Haine, Matthieu Kassovitz has also built a strong reputation as a producer in French cinema. He co-founded the production company MNP Entreprise in 2000, through which he has produced gritty urban dramas like The Crimson Rivers.
Kassovitz tends to produce genre films with a raw, streetwise sensibility, reflective of his own directing style. Though also working in Hollywood, he continues supporting bold French productions. Kassovitz’s willingness to back emerging talents as a producer has helped bring hard-hitting, diverse French cinema to wider attention.
5. Claude Berri
Claude Berri (1934-2009) was a prominent French filmmaker, actor, and producer. Renowned for his versatile talents, he contributed significantly to French cinema. Berri began as an actor in the 1950s, gaining recognition for his roles in films like “Le Poulet.” However, he found greater success behind the camera as a director and producer. His acclaimed works include “Jean de Florette” and “Manon des Sources.”
Berri’s cinematic contributions earned him international acclaim, and he received numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Short Film. His legacy extends beyond acting, as he played a pivotal role in shaping and promoting French cinema.
6. Nicolas Chartier
Nicolas Chartier has made a name for himself as one of France’s most successful contemporary film producers. Chartier founded the production company Voltage Pictures in 2005, through which he has financed and produced over 50 independent films in the past two decades. He rocketed to international acclaim in 2008 by winning an Academy Award for producing the critical darling “The Hurt Locker.”
Chartier continues to produce films balancing both commercial viability and artistic merit, including the Oscar-nominated “Dallas Buyers Club.” Leadership and risk-taking define his producing style, such as fundraising through innovative investment models. While mainly US-based now, Chartier’s French roots have informed much of his creative sensibilities and willingness to champion visionary filmmakers. His productions consistently exude qualities synonymous with the French film tradition.
7. Julie Gayet
Julie Gayet is an accomplished French actress and producer who has contributed greatly to French cinema over the past few decades. Though perhaps best known as an actress in films like Select Hôtel and Clara et Moi, Gayet has also established herself as a successful producer. Through her production company Rouge International, Gayet has helped produce over several indie films.
Her producing credits include notable arthouse films like Fix ME. As a producer focused on supporting emerging directing talent, Gayet has become an important force in independent French cinema, helping unique artistic visions make their way to the screen. She continues to balance acting and producing.
8. Alain Goldman
Alain Goldman is a prominent French movie producer known for his successful contributions to the film industry. With a career spanning several decades, he has produced acclaimed films like “Casino” and “The Crimson Rivers II: Angel of the Apocalypse.” Goldman’s commitment to storytelling and support for diverse cinematic projects have earned him recognition.
His impact on French cinema reflects a dedication to quality filmmaking, making him a respected figure in the industry. Alain Goldman’s work continues to influence and shape the landscape of French film, showcasing his passion for the art.
9. Lisa Azuelos
Lisa Azuelos has gained renown as one of France’s most successful female writers, directors, and producers. Beginning with her breakout hit comedy “LOL” in 2008, Azuelos has shown a talent for creating character-driven films about contemporary women’s lives.
Azuelos’s movies have resonated with female and wider audiences. Her accessible, warm filmmaking style built on insightful observation has established her reputation for articulating universal human stories within beloved French films.
10. Louis Malle
Louis Malle was an influential French filmmaker and producer who helped define the French New Wave movement in the 1950s and 60s. After starting as an assistant to Jacques Cousteau, Malle made his directorial debut in 1958 with the provocative drama “Elevator to the Gallows,” establishing his style of blending French traditionalism with an edgy, innovative spirit. As a producer, Malle championed the early work of bold filmmakers like Jean-Luc Godard and Claude Chabrol.
Through his production company Nouvelles Editions de Films, Malle financed over a dozen groundbreaking French films that pioneered the use of handheld cameras and technically experimental storytelling techniques. Though also known as an acclaimed director, Louis Malle’s work as a producer catalyzed the French New Wave and revealed his commitment to furthering a new cinematic voice in post-war France.
Conclusion
This list is a great starting point if you’re looking to watch more movies that feature Black French actors! As mentioned, my personal favorite is Omar Sy but any of the actors on this list are a pleasure to watch. Pop your popcorn, cue up one of the movies on this list, and get comfortable.
If you’re in Paris and want some more movie advice, why not join one of our walking tours to get some tips from our local guides? Click here to see all of our tour options and to make your booking.
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