The 2008 James Bond film Quantum of Solace featured Mathieu Amalric as the primary antagonist, Dominic Greene. This performance marked a significant international turn for a career that primarily flourished within the French film industry, spanning roles as a director, screenwriter, cinematographer, and stage actor since his birth in Neuilly-sur-Seine in 1965.
Early Career and César Recognition
The son of journalist Jacques Amalric and literary critic Nicole Zand, Mathieu Amalric entered the industry during the 1990s. He gained early industry attention for his work in the film Ma Vie Sexuelle, also known as My Sex Life...or How I Got Into an Argument. This role earned him the César Award for Best Male Revelation in 1997, establishing his presence as a versatile screen performer.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Leading Roles and Critical Acclaim
Amalric received high critical praise for his 2007 portrayal of Jean-Dominique Bauby in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. The film depicted the life of a journalist living with locked-in syndrome. This performance led to a César Award for Best Actor in 2008. His filmography also includes prominent international productions such as Steven Spielberg's Munich, as well as Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel and The French Dispatch.
Work as a Filmmaker
Beyond acting, Amalric maintains a prolific career as a director and screenwriter. His feature On Tour premiered at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, securing him the Cannes Best Director Award. In 2014, he both directed and starred in The Blue Room, which competed in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival. He holds the title of Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres for his contributions to French cinema.
Personal Life and Interests
Amalric is a father to three sons, two shared with Jeanne Balibar and one with Stéphanie Cléau. He was in a relationship with Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan between 2019 and 2024. Outside of his professional activities in film and television, he is a supporter of the Girondins de Bordeaux football club.
Fast facts
- Born: 25 October 1965, Neuilly-sur-Seine
- Citizenship: France
- César Award for Best Male Revelation: 1997
- César Award for Best Actor: 2005, 2008
- Cannes Best Director Award: 2010
- Distinction: Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres
- Notable role: Dominic Greene in Quantum of Solace
Questions readers ask
What is Mathieu Amalric best known for internationally?
He is recognized for his role as the villain Dominic Greene in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace and for his lead performance in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.
Has Mathieu Amalric won awards for his directing?
Yes, he won the Cannes Best Director Award in 2010 for his film On Tour.
Achievements
- César Award for Best Male Revelation — 1997
- César Award for Best Actor — 2008
- Worked as film director, screenwriter and stage actor
