Vincent Cassel bio, height, age, wife, net worth, children, relationship 2025

Vincent Cassel Biography

Vincent Cassel is one of the most popular and in-demand actors in modern French cinema. His complex characters captivate audiences, making his films unforgettable from the very first watch. The talented French actor has successfully established himself both in his native cinema ("La Haine," "L'Appartement," "Les Rivières Pourpres") and Hollywood ("Black Swan," "Eastern Promises," "Ocean's Twelve").

Childhood and Family

Vincent Cassel (born Vincent Crochon) came from an acting family - his father was the celebrated Parisian actor Jean-Pierre Cassel (star of films like "Army of Shadows," "The Breach," and many others).

Vinsent's father also was a famous actor

Vincent also has a younger brother, Mathias, who found his own path in cinema as a screenwriter. He is also passionate about hip-hop and even founded his own rap collective, The Assassin. Vincent's sister, Cécile Cassel, also known under the pseudonym Holly Siz, is quite actively filming in France, but her name is not well known outside her home country.

From childhood, Vincent grew up at a religious crossroads - his father was Protestant while his mother wavered between Judaism and Catholicism. Adding to this mix, Vincent grew up in a diverse neighborhood filled with African and Arab immigrants, so many of his friends were Muslim. This multicultural upbringing taught the future actor tolerance and shaped his character with the best qualities from each faith tradition around him.

Vincent himself was not a deeply religious person. He went to Catholic school but wasn't particularly enthusiastic about it. His true passion during adolescence was - and always remained - theater.

Vincent performed in school amateur productions, attended acting classes, and honed his acting skills by watching films by his favorite director Martin Scorsese. The master filmmaker's work inspired the young man to pursue acting. Before beginning his journey as a film actor, Vincent Cassel graduated from Annie Fratellini's circus school.

Acting Career

Vincent Crochon launched his professional acting career in the United States, following his father's advice and adopting what would become the "family" stage name - Cassel. His New York stage debut didn't go well; the young actor mostly worked as a "living statue" on the streets, so he soon headed back to France.

Back home, he reached out to an old family friend, the renowned actor and theater director Jean-Louis Barrault, founder of the Theatre de l'Atelier (later renamed "Rond-Point"), who was famous for his bold interpretations of Nietzsche and Voltaire's works. Barrault welcomed the talented young actor, and Vincent became a regular member of the theater troupe for a time.

Vincent Cassel made his film debut as Pierre in the comedy "Les cigognes n'en font qu'à leur tête" (1989). It was a tiny role, as was his next project (the comedy "Les clés du paradis"). Next came a photographer role in the romantic comedy "Les dessous de la passion", followed by a young man named Dede in Josée Dayan's film "Hot Chocolate".

By 1995, he had racked up about 15 film credits, including the Franco-American production "Jefferson in Paris" starring Seth Gilliam and Gwyneth Paltrow. The latter film, in which Vincent Cassel played the young revolutionary Camille Desmoulins, was quite successful at the box office.

But his truly breakthrough role was waiting just around the corner. In 1995, he had the good fortune to meet director Mathieu Kassovitz, who cast him in the lead role of "La Haine," a drama about class and racial prejudice. Vincent Cassel played Vinz, a Jewish youth who accidentally finds a gun and seeks revenge for his friend's death. For his role, the actor was twice nominated for a César Award.

In 1996, Vincent Cassel starred in Gilles Mimouni's melodrama "L'Appartement" alongside Monica Bellucci. The touching love story between young entrepreneur Max and mysterious Lisa brought the actors closer, sparking a real-life romance.

Monica Bellucci & Vincent Cassel dance (The Apartment 1996)

The most notable works of the late nineties in Vincent Cassel's filmography were the films "Dobermann", "As You Want Me", "Elizabeth" (the role of the Duke of Anjou), "Compromis", "Shabbat Night Fever" (where he also acted as a screenwriter and director), "Joan of Arc". By this period, Vincent had established himself as a bold, unpredictable actor ready for any challenge.

In 2000, the epic thriller "The Crimson Rivers" was released, giving the world the magnificent acting duo of Vincent Cassel and Jean Reno. The French cinema stars transformed into police officers investigating two seemingly unconnected cases. The role of the young detective Max Kerkerian brought Vincent Cassel a nomination for the European Film Academy Award and made him one of the most recognizable personalities of French cinema.

At the peak of his popularity, Vincent Cassel made a new attempt to conquer Hollywood. In 2001, the first English-language film with his participation was released - the crime drama "Birthday Girl". He and Mathieu Kassovitz transformed into Russian gangsters attending the birthday party of their "little sister," played by Nicole Kidman.

Birthday Girl: Vincent Cassel and Nicole Kidman

Then, in the film "The Reckoning," the actor, together with Paul Bettany and Willem Dafoe, had to go back to the 14th century to save a woman accused of witchcraft.

In 2002, the film "Irreversible" was released with Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci, a powerhouse couple who captivated 600,000 French viewers. Obsessed with revenge, Vincent's character tried to find and punish those responsible for raping his girlfriend. The film earned a nomination for the Palme d'Or at Cannes, though Roman Polanski's "The Pianist" ultimately took home the top prize.

Vincent Cassel about Irreversible

In 2004, the highly anticipated sequel "Ocean's Twelve" hit theaters, starring George Clooney, Matt Damon, and Brad Pitt. This time around, Vincent Cassel joined the crew of master thieves as François Toulour, aka The Night Fox, stealing scenes with his mesmerizing capoeira routine through a maze of laser beams.

Laser Dance by Vincent Cassel in Ocean's 12

In 2008, Vincent Cassel starred in the film "Public Enemy Number One", transforming into legendary criminal Jacques Mesrine, notorious for his incredible disguises achieved through plastic surgery, makeup, and sheer acting brilliance. Cassel committed fully to the role, gaining and then shedding 20 kilograms—a grueling process by his own account. His dedication paid off when he won the César Award—France's equivalent of the Oscar—that same year. That same year, he slipped back into Russian gangster mode for "Eastern Promises," playing the volatile son of a mafia boss who controls the ruthless killer Nikolai, played by Viggo Mortensen.

In 2010, the actor was included in the main cast of the drama "Black Swan". This backstage ballet thriller followed a gifted but repressed ballerina as she slowly loses her grip on reality, brought the lead actress, Natalie Portman, an "Oscar" for the best female role, and Mila Kunis - the Marcello Mastroianni Award as the best young talent. While Cassel didn't take home any hardware, critics universally praised his compelling portrayal of Thomas Leroy, the theater's manipulative choreographer.

In 2014, the Frenchman played the Beast in the film adaptation of the famous fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast". His partner was the beautiful Lea Seydoux. Fascinatingly, Cassel had to perform every Beast scene twice—once in full costume, then again focusing purely on facial expressions, which were later digitally mapped onto the CGI Beast's head.

In 2016, he starred in the fourth installment of the "Bourne" franchise as the deadly assassin Asset. He joined both established Hollywood stars (Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Tommy Lee Jones) and rising talents like Alicia Vikander.

2018 was an incredibly busy year for Vincent Cassel, with 5 films featuring him released simultaneously. These included the French films "The World Is Yours", "The Emperor of Paris" and "Black Tide". In 2019, he appeared in "The Specials", a dramedy about volunteering.

2020 proved to be another successful year for the actor. In January, the premiere of the science fiction film "Underwater" took place. Kristen Stewart also starred in it. The plot follows underwater dramas and adventures. That spring also saw the premiere of "Westworld's" third season, where Vincent played Engerraund Serac.

Vincent Cassel Personal Life

Surprisingly, during the first days of filming "The Apartment" - which would prove fateful for both Vincent and Monica Bellucci - the actors couldn't stand each other. Monica found her co-star insufferably arrogant. Vincent, meanwhile, angrily asked the director why they couldn't cast a French actress instead of an "Italian lingerie model". Off set, they avoided each other at all costs.

One night after a particularly difficult day of shooting, Vincent hit his usual nightclub circuit. At the entrance to one notorious club, he was transfixed by the sight of a stunning brunette. He immediately rushed over to meet her, then stopped dead in his tracks - it was Monica Bellucci.

Young Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci

That encounter broke the ice between them. Soon, Cassel succumbed to the irresistible charms of one of the world's most beautiful women. Everyone on set could see that Monica wasn't just playing Lisa seducing Max - she was seducing Vincent himself. Vincent knew it too, thinking of ancient legends about cunning witches who could enchant men with a single flutter of their eyelashes.

L' Appartement - Ending Scene

Their romance had barely begun when Vincent realized he'd met someone truly extraordinary. She wasn't rushing to move in with him - quite the opposite. Flying back to Italy, she made it clear: "I have my own life, you have yours." The idea of domestic routine repulsed her. "There's nothing worse than that everyday routine where everyone comes home from work and eats dinner in front of the TV," she admitted.

From the moment their romance began, the Frenchman knew he'd met someone extraordinary. She wasn't rushing to move in with him - quite the opposite. When heading back to Italy, she made it crystal clear: "I have my own life, you have yours". The idea of domestic routine repulsed her. "Nothing's worse than that mundane life where everyone comes home from work and eats dinner in front of the TV," she admitted.

They lived in a guest marriage for a long time

Wanting to spend more time with his love, Cassel started championing Monica to French directors: "Dobermann", "How Do You Want Me", "Pleasure", "Irreversible"... Audiences couldn't get enough of this passionate duo, who brought explosive romantic chemistry to the screen again and again.

This unconventional "living apart together" arrangement continued for three years, until Vincent's car accident in 1999. The accident shifted Monica's perspective, and she finally agreed to walk down the aisle with Vincent. But even after they exchanged vows, nothing really changed: immediately after the ceremony, Monica returned to Italy.

Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci wedding

Naturally, jealousy crept in, though Vincent did his best to mask it. Plenty of leading men were captivated by the stunning Monica Bellucci: George Clooney, Keanu Reeves, Bruce Willis, and even Gerard Depardieu! Monica was never caught in compromising situations, but every new project sparked fresh rumors about her and her latest leading man. What's more, Monica herself had said: "Changing partners is natural - it's human nature. So I can't tell you if Vincent and I will be together forever."

Following those comments, the tabloids buzzed with rumors linking Vincent to Jennifer Aniston, but Monica responded with typical grace, saying: "Being jealous means trying to own his freedom."

By 2004, with breakup rumors swirling at fever pitch, the power couple surprised fans with wonderful news: they welcomed their first child, daughter Deva. The new parents were over the moon, even turning down film projects to focus entirely on their growing family.

In 2010, little Leonie arrived. Whispers suggested Monica hoped a second baby might win back Vincent's attention, which seemed to be wandering. Meanwhile, tabloids kept spotting Vincent with various stunning models.

In 2013, the family relocated to Brazil, citing better conditions for raising their daughters. Though media speculation pointed to French tax changes as the real motivation. They purchased a coastal home in Rio and started building their new life.

After 17 years of relationship Bellucci and Cassel's marriage has cracked

Sadly, even the move couldn't save their marriage. That same year, entertainment media exploded with news that one of Hollywood's most beloved couples was calling it quits. While neither aired their dirty laundry publicly, Monica's visible devastation suggested Vincent was the one who pulled the plug.

According to her, they stayed on good terms, though without their old romantic spark. As for the children, Vincent still loves them more than anything in the world and spends almost every free minute with his daughters.

And in 2016, Vincent Cassel showed the world his new chosen one. Actually, it was the paparazzi who revealed her, catching the actor vacationing in Ibiza with a stunning young woman. She turned out to be French model Tina Kunakey.

The couple married in August 2018, and their 30-year age gap didn't dampen their romance. In 2019, Tina gave birth to their daughter, Amazonie.

In the spring of 2023, it became known that Vincent and Tina are divorcing after five years of marriage. The actor deleted all the photos of his wife from social networks, and a source close to the couple told journalists: "They broke up a few weeks ago. Tina is heartbroken."

Vincent Cassel Now

Vincent Cassel continues to be one of France's most celebrated actors, in high demand both domestically and internationally. In 2021, he portrayed Julius Caesar in a new adaptation of "Asterix and Obelix". The film premiered in February 2023. Additionally, he landed the role of Athos in a new duology of "The Three Musketeers".

Vincent Cassel as Athos