**Gérard Depardieu** (born in 1948) is one of the most celebrated and prolific French actors of his generation. His film career took a turning point with Bertrand Blier's *Les Valseuses* (known in English as *Going Places*, 1974), where he established his archetype of an impulsive and sensitive rebel.

From there, he successfully branched out across genres, embodying complex and often titanic characters. Among his most memorable performances are those in François Truffaut's *Le Dernier Métro* (known in English as *The Last Metro*, 1980), for which he won a César Award, and the acclaimed *Cyrano de Bergerac* (1990), for which he received an Academy Award nomination and the Best Actor Award at Cannes. He also played Jean de Florette in the eponymous film (1986) and the good-natured Obelix in the Astérix saga.

His style is characterized by an imposing physical presence, an unmistakable voice, and an ability to express profound humanity, both in dramatic and comedic roles.