A Genie Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role marked the 1989 portrayal of the central figure in Denys Arcand's Jesus of Montreal. Born in 1957 in Montreal, this Canadian performer pivoted from medical studies to professional acting, establishing a versatile career across international film sets, stage productions, and television series throughout several decades of work.
Early Career and Training
Before transitioning into the arts, Bluteau pursued a path in medicine. He eventually moved away from this field to attend the Conservatoire de musique et d'art dramatique du Québec. Bilingual in French and English, he secured early attention for his portrayal of a mentally challenged youth in Yves Simoneau's In the Shadow of the Wind, titled Les Fous de Bassan in French. His stage work gained prominence through his lead performance in Being at Home with Claude.
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The 1990 Genie Award win for Jesus of Montreal solidified his standing in Canadian cinema. His film career includes roles in Black Robe, Orlando, and I Shot Andy Warhol. He received a second Genie Award nomination for his performance in Robert Lepage's 1995 film The Confessional. In 1997, he earned a Best Actor award at the Gijón International Film Festival for his participation in the project Bent. Additionally, he earned an AFI Award nomination for Best Actor for his contributions to Black Robe.
Television and Theatre Contributions
Bluteau's television credits span various international productions. He appeared as Marcus Alvers in the third season of 24 in 2008 and played Charles de Marillac, the French ambassador, in the fourth season of The Tudors in 2010. By 2014, he joined the History Channel series Vikings to play Charles the Bald. His stage experience includes appearing as Gaev in The Cherry Orchard at the Mark Taper Forum in 2006 and his role as Young Inna in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui at Pace University in 2002.
Fast facts
- Born: 1957, Montreal
- Citizenship: Canada
- Occupations: Actor, theatre director, film director
- Languages: French and English
- Notable TV Roles: Vikings, The Tudors, 24
- Key Film Awards: 1990 Genie Award, 1997 Gijón International Film Festival
Questions readers ask
Did Lothaire Bluteau always intend to be an actor?
No, he initially studied medicine before enrolling at the Conservatoire de musique et d'art dramatique du Québec.
Which television series featured Bluteau as Charles the Bald?
He was cast in the History Channel series Vikings in July 2014 for that role.
Achievements
- Worked as television actor, film actor and actor
