**Denis Lavant (1961)** is a French actor known for his intense stage presence and extraordinary physicality. He is the favorite actor of director Leos Carax, with whom he has forged an indissoluble artistic partnership.

He has appeared in almost all of Carax's films, including the famous *Mauvais Sang* (1986) and *Les Amants du Pont-Neuf* (1991), in which he played marginal and tormented characters, often as Carax's alter ego.

His most iconic and acclaimed role is that of Monsieur Oscar in *Holy Motors* (2012), also by Carax, a film that established him internationally and showcased his chameleon-like versatility in switching from one character to another.

Lavant is often cast in eccentric, vulnerable, or explosive roles that require considerable physical and dramatic skills. His acting, often close to mime and acrobatics, makes him a unique and unforgettable figure in contemporary cinema.