Audrey Tautou

She was born as the eldest daughter of a dental surgeon and a teacher in Beaumont, France. She has three younger siblings.

She decided, at a very young age, to pursue a career in acting and attended acting classes at the Cours Florent.

She was selected to play a minor role in the television movie, ‘Coeur de Cible’ in 1996. Following this, she received offers for small roles in other French movies and series including ‘Les Cordier, juge et flic’ in 1997 and ‘La Vieille Barriere’ in 1998.

In 1998, she participated in the ninth ‘Jeune Comedien de Cinema Festival’ in Bezier and won the competition in the Best Young Actress category. The director Tonie Marshall noticed her and cast her in her new movie ‘Venus Beauty Institute’ in 1999. She gave an amazing performance, portraying the character Marie.

The year 2001 was a remarkable one for her; she played the lead role in the romantic comedy ‘Amelie’ which was directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The film was a critical as well as a commercial hit which was nominated for five Academy Awards.

She played the role of Senay Gelik in the thriller film, ‘Dirty Pretty Things’ in 2002 which revolved around the story of two illegal immigrants in London. The film was adjudged the ‘Best Independent British Film’ in 2003.

In 2004, she starred in ‘A Very Long Engagement’, a romantic war film about a young woman’s desperate search for her fiance who was feared to have been killed in the war.

She is best known for playing the title character in the film ‘Amelie’ which catapulted the French actress to international fame. Her portrayal of the shy and eccentric waitress in the romantic comedy was much appreciated worldwide and helped her to carve a niche for herself in mainstream Hollywood.