Born in the 14th arrondissement of Paris in 1969, Julie Delpy established a versatile career spanning acting, screenwriting, directing, and music. A graduate of the New York University Tisch School of the Arts, she evolved from a young performer discovered by Jean-Luc Godard into a global creative force with citizenship in both France and the United States.
Early Career and European Cinema
At fourteen, Delpy began her acting career after being cast by Jean-Luc Godard in the 1985 film Détective. She followed this with roles in Mauvais Sang and La Passion Béatrice, the latter earning her a César Award nomination for most promising actress. Her international profile grew in 1990 after starring in Agnieszka Holland’s Europa Europa. Throughout the 1990s, she maintained a consistent presence in European and American cinema, including appearances in The Three Musketeers and the lead role in Krzysztof Kieślowski's Three Colours: White.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Collaboration and the Before Trilogy
Delpy attained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Céline in Richard Linklater's 1995 independent film Before Sunrise, starring opposite Ethan Hawke. She reprised this role in the sequels Before Sunset and Before Midnight. In addition to acting, she served as a co-writer for the latter two films, receiving Academy Award nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay. Her involvement in these projects solidified her reputation as both a performer and a narrative architect in contemporary independent film.
Directing and Multi-Disciplinary Work
Expanding into filmmaking, Delpy directed her feature-length debut, Looking for Jimmy, in 2002. She subsequently directed, wrote, and produced the 2007 film 2 Days in Paris, which featured her real-life parents, Marie Pillet and Albert Delpy. Her later directorial efforts include The Countess, Skylab, 2 Days in New York, and Lolo. Beyond filmmaking, she is recognized as a composer and singer-songwriter, and holds membership in the Writers Guild of America West.
Recognition and Awards
Throughout her career, Delpy has received several notable honors for her contributions to the arts. She was awarded the San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress in 2004 and the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay in 2013. In recognition of her professional impact, she was named an Officer of Arts and Letters in 2022 and holds the title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.
Fast facts
- Born: 1969, 14th arrondissement of Paris
- Citizenship: France; United States
- Education: New York University Tisch School of the Arts
- Academy Award nominations: 2
- Directorial debut: Looking for Jimmy (2002)
- Professional membership: Writers Guild of America West
- Language proficiency: French; English
- Award: Officer of Arts and Letters (2022)
Questions readers ask
Did Julie Delpy direct any films featuring her parents?
Yes, her 2007 film 2 Days in Paris featured her real-life parents, Marie Pillet and Albert Delpy, in the roles of her character's parents.
Has she received any recognition for her screenwriting?
Yes, she earned Academy Award nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay for Before Sunset (2004) and Before Midnight (2013), and won a National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay in 2013.
Achievements
- Worked as film actor, screenwriter and singer-songwriter
