Biography of Christopher Lambert
Christopher Lambert, an American actor of French descent, is forever linked to his iconic role as the immortal Connor MacLeod in the fantasy adventure "Highlander." This character was instrumental in garnering him global acclaim. But film fans also love his performances in varied roles like Fred in "Subway," Hudson Saanteek in "North Star," and Frank Martin in the romantic comedy "Arlette."
Childhood, Adolescence, Family
Born Christophe Guy Denis Lambert in spring 1957, he was the son of George Lambert-Lamond and Yolande de Caritat de Peruzzi, who lived in New York City. His father worked as a diplomat at the United Nations, while his mother was a renowned psychoanalyst. The boy held dual French-American citizenship, but English was rarely spoken at home—the family mainly communicated in French.When he was two, the family moved to Geneva, where Lambert spent most of his childhood. His parents enrolled him in Florimont boarding school, marking the start of a difficult period. Lambert was born with severe myopia and wore glasses, hated sports, and his classmates gave him cruel nicknames.
But Lambert didn't immediately pursue acting. When he was sixteen, his family moved to Paris. There, he finished his education, served a year in the French army at his father's insistence, then landed a job at the London Stock Exchange—again following his parents' advice, since they couldn't take his acting dreams seriously.I first watched it in my childhood and have revisited it regularly since then. For me, this film was what cinema was all about. If it wasn't for Sergio Leone, I might never have become an actor. I might have become a diplomat or musician instead... But when we lived in Geneva, my parents and I would act out scenes from plays we'd seen at the theater. We all enjoyed it, and by the age of twelve, I was already performing in school plays.
But he lasted just six months before returning to Paris, taking a job in a friend's shop, and starting acting classes at a drama academy. His time there was short-lived, though. The instructors said it was because of his "lack of genuine commitment to the craft."
Acting Career
Christopher's big break came when English director Hugh Hudson offered him the lead role in the adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' novel, "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes." His co-star in this feature was none other than Andie MacDowell.
"Greystoke" hit theaters on March 30, 1984, just one day after Christopher's 27th birthday. The adventure drama was a huge hit, earning an Oscar nomination and winning a BAFTA award that same year.
Lambert's popularity skyrocketed with his role as petty thief Fred in Luc Besson's postmodern thriller "Subway." This performance made him the youngest recipient of the "César" award, which he received in 1985 for Best Actor.
"Highlander" gained such immense popularity that it spawned four sequels, an animated and television series, and countless comics. Getting tired of playing the world's savior, Lambert branched out into action films, comedies, and dramas, always emphasizing that character matters more than genre:We filmed a video for 'Highlander,' and soon after, 'A Kind of Magic' was released, becoming one of Queen's biggest albums. They invited me to their concert at Wembley Stadium in London. I arrived by helicopter, and before landing, we flew over this massive crowd—thousands and thousands of people. I thought to myself, 'This is what real fame looks like!'
In the 2000s, Lambert's screen time became more selective. Among his most notable roles were Sheriff Ruy De Mendoza in "Day of Wrath," Giacomo in "L'una e l'altra," and John Lacanal in "The Point Men."I believe you can create a complex, well-rounded character even in an action film. The less a character resembles me, the more I want to play them. The chance to become someone else, to keep transforming—that's what drew me to acting.
Christopher Lambert's Personal Life
The actor openly admits he's drawn to women, and the feeling is mutual. When Christopher hit screens as Tarzan, Princess Stephanie of Monaco fell for him, and he felt the same way.The affair was short-lived. In 1988, Lambert married fellow actor Diane Lane. In 1993, their daughter Eleanor Jasmine was born. Eleanor wasn't even a year old when her parents divorced.
After struggling to find love among fellow actors, Christopher settled into a long-term relationship with Canadian Sophie de Marais, who wasn't in the film business, until French beauty Sophie Marceau swept him off his feet in 2006.
Christopher Lambert Now
After laying low for a while, Lambert's back in action. In 2022, he starred in the horror film "It's Not Over." In 2023, several films featuring Lambert were released. These include the dramatic thriller "Dark Room," where Christopher plays main character Robert Spira, and the sci-fi action film "Mnemonix," where he also takes the lead.
He's also signed on for the war drama "Save the Last Bullet." Lambert landed the lead role, with his ex-wife Sophie Marceau playing the female lead.
Interesting Facts
- Lambert's passionate about his exclusive wristwatch collection. His obsession started when he was doing ads for luxury watch brands. While shooting the Bulgarian film "The Foreigner," he tried to buy the watch his character Vincen wore, but the prop wasn't for sale.
- Christopher is well-versed in painting and has amassed an impressive collection of modern artists' works.
- Christopher's an adrenaline junkie on vacation: he loves diving in remote, challenging locations.
- Lambert's talents go way beyond acting and producing. He is the screenwriter of the American crime thriller "Resurrection," and the author of two books: "Amulet Girl" and "The Judge." Christopher was honored with the Claude Chabrol Award for his first book.
