Guillaume Gallienne

Guillaume Jean-Claude Pierre Gallienne is a French screen actor, writer, and director. He is recognized for his extensive work in cinema and theater, earning critical acclaim across both mediums.

Born on February 8, 1972, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Gallienne was raised as the third of four sons by his father, a French businessman, and his mother, a Russian-Georgian aristocrat. During his youth, he attended La Salle Passy Buzenval, where he experienced bullying. Following a breakdown at age twelve, he continued his schooling in England at St John's College. The death of his cousin inspired him to pursue a theatrical career at nineteen. He subsequently spent three years at Cours Florent and trained at the French National Academy of Dramatic Arts, completing his studies in 1998.

Gallienne joined the Comédie-Française in 1998, becoming a permanent sociétaire in 2005. His screen debut occurred in the 1992 film Tableau d'honneur, and he later appeared in Sofia Coppola's 2006 feature Marie Antoinette. From 2008 to 2010, he created and starred in a comedic sketch segment called Les Bonus de Guillaume on the television program Le Grand Journal.

On stage, Gallienne gained wide recognition for his one-man production, Boys and Guillaume, to the table!, which earned him a Molière Award for Best Newcomer in 2010. He secured a second Molière Award the following year for Best Supporting Actor in Un fil à la patte. Beyond dramatic roles, he authored the libretto for the Paris Opera Ballet's 2011 production of Caligula and adapted Lost Illusions for the Bolshoi Ballet in 2014.

Gallienne adapted his stage performance into the 2013 autobiographical comedy film Me, Myself and Mum. The feature premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in the Directors' Fortnight section, winning both the Art Cinema Award and the Prix SACD. It received ten nominations at the César Awards, where Gallienne earned individual honors for Best Actor and Best Adaptation, alongside wins for Best Film and Best First Film.

In addition to his performing career, Gallienne began hosting the weekly literary program Ça peut pas faire de mal on France Inter in September 2009. His contributions to the arts have been recognized with appointments as a Knight of the National Order of Merit in 2008 and an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2013.