Christopher Lambert facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Christopher Lambert
Lambert in 2013
Born	Christophe Guy Denis Lambert (1957-03-29) March 29, 1957 (age 68) Manhasset, New York, U.S.
Citizenship	France United States
Occupation	Actor producer novelist
Years active	1979–present
Spouse(s)	Diane Lane ​ ​ (m. 1988; div. 1994)​ Jaimyse Haft ​ ​ (m. 1999; div. 2000)​
Children	1

Christopher Lambert is a famous French-American actor, producer, and writer. He was born on March 29, 1957. He started his acting career in French films. He became known around the world for playing Tarzan in the movie Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984). He won an award called the César Award for Best Actor for his role in the film Subway (1985).

Many people know him best for his role as Connor MacLeod in the fantasy film Highlander (1986). He also played Raiden in the Mortal Kombat movie (1995). Later, he appeared as Methodius in Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011) and Arne Seslum in Hail, Caesar! (2016). He also helped produce the movie Nine Months (1995).

Early Life and Beginnings

Christopher Lambert was born in Great Neck, New York, in the United States. His full name is Christophe Guy Denis Lambert. His father was a French diplomat who worked for the United Nations. Because of his father's job, Christopher moved to Switzerland when he was two years old. He grew up in Geneva.

He went to the International School of Geneva and the Institut Florimont. When he was a teenager, his family moved to Paris, France. Christopher first started acting in a school play when he was 12 years old.

A Look at His Acting Career

Becoming Tarzan and Early Success

In 1984, director Hugh Hudson and Warner Brothers chose Christopher Lambert to play Tarzan. They wanted an actor who was not yet famous for the role. Tarzan is a character who was raised by apes in the jungle. Christopher got the part partly because he has myopia (nearsightedness). When he took off his glasses, it looked like he was always gazing into the distance.

The movie, Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes, was released in 1984. It was nominated for many awards. That same year, Christopher also acted with Catherine Deneuve in the film Love Songs. In 1985, he played the main character in Luc Besson's stylish film Subway. This movie was about a man being chased in the underground subways of Paris.

The Immortal Highlander

In 1986, Christopher Lambert starred in Highlander. This is the role he is most famous for. In the movie, he played Connor MacLeod, an immortal warrior. This warrior could only be killed by having his head cut off. Christopher was chosen for the role after another actor, Kurt Russell, left the project. The director, Russell Mulcahy, saw a picture of Christopher in a magazine.

Even though Christopher barely spoke English, he spent weeks learning the language. He worked with a special coach before filming. The movie became very popular and was a big success around the world. The rock band Queen created and performed the music for the film. Christopher also appeared as MacLeod in Queen's music video for "Princes of the Universe".

More Action and Drama Roles

In 1987, Christopher played the main role of Salvatore Giuliano in The Sicilian. This film was directed by Michael Cimino. In 1988, he starred in Agnieszka Holland's To Kill a Priest. In this movie, he played a character based on Jerzy Popiełuszko. This was a true story about a priest and his murder under the Polish communist government.

Christopher was offered the role of Martin Riggs in the movie Lethal Weapon, but he turned it down. He was also considered for the role of James Bond in The Living Daylights. However, he was not chosen because of his accent.

Sequels and New Challenges

In 1991, Highlander II: The Quickening came out. Christopher worked again with director Russell Mulcahy and actor Sean Connery. The movie was filmed in Argentina to save money. In 1992, he appeared in the first episode of the TV show Highlander: The Series. He passed the main role to actor Adrian Paul. He also appeared in the French crime thriller Max et Jérémie.

In 1993, Christopher was an executive producer and the lead actor in the suspense thriller Knight Moves. He played a chess grandmaster who was suspected of murder. Later that year, he played the lead in the science fiction film Fortress. This story is set in a future where a man and his wife are sent to a high-security prison. This happens because they are expecting a second child, which is against the strict one-child rule.

Mortal Kombat and Other Ventures

In 1994, Christopher worked with actor Mario Van Peebles on two films. They played the main characters in the action film Gunmen. Van Peebles was also the main villain in Highlander III: The Sorcerer. In this third Highlander movie, Connor MacLeod faces a new, dangerous enemy. Christopher also starred in the action film Roadflower.

In 1995, he played the thunder god Raiden in the movie Mortal Kombat. This film was based on the popular video game series. The movie follows warriors guided by Raiden as they fight evil forces to save Earth. Christopher later returned to voice Raiden in the 2020 game Mortal Kombat 11. That same year, he also starred in the action film The Hunted.

Later Career and Recent Work

In 1996, Christopher was an executive producer and the lead actor in the western film North Star. He also produced a football drama called When Saturday Comes. In 1997, he starred in the science fiction film Nirvana. He played a game designer who finds that his game's main character has become aware due to a computer virus. He also starred with Ice-T in the action film Mean Guns.

In 1999, he produced and starred in Resurrection. He played a detective investigating a murder. He also starred in the action film Beowulf. In 2000, he appeared in the fourth Highlander movie, Highlander: Endgame. This was his last Highlander sequel. He also appeared in the sequel Fortress 2: Re-Entry.

Lambert, Isabelle Huppert, and Claire Denis at the Venice Film Festival in 2009

In 2001, he starred in The Point Men. In 2003, he played in Absolon, a science fiction thriller. He was also an executive producer for the film The Confessor. In 2006, he produced and starred in Day of Wrath. He also had a supporting role in Southland Tales.

In 2009, Christopher Lambert was a lead actor in Claire Denis' film White Material. Both the film and his acting received good reviews. The movie is about a French coffee producer who stays on her farm during a civil war in an African country. That year, he also acted in Cartagena. In this film, he played a former boxer who cares for a woman who is bedridden after an accident.

Lambert with Sophie Marceau in October 2012

In 2011, Christopher played the villainous monk Methodius in the Ghost Rider sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. He trained with swords for three months for this role. After this, he got the role of Marcel Janvier, a recurring villain in the TV show NCIS: Los Angeles. He appeared in six episodes from 2012 to 2013.

In 2016, he co-starred in Hail, Caesar!, a comedy film by the Coen brothers. This movie is a fictional story about a "fixer" in the Hollywood film industry in the 1950s. He tries to find a missing actor. That year, he also had a small role in a French World War II comedy film. He also played the lead villain in the martial arts film Kickboxer: Retaliation.

In 2018, Christopher played the role of SS officer Karl Frenzel in the Russian film Sobibor. This film is a World War II drama about a successful uprising in a Nazi death camp. His acting in this film received high praise. He was also part of the cast of Bel Canto, a film based on a novel. He played a French ambassador during a hostage crisis.

Other Interests

Christopher Lambert has also written two novels. The first was called La fille porte-bonheur (The Lucky Girl) in 2011. The second was Le juge (The Judge) in 2015.

Besides acting and writing, Christopher also owns a mineral water business. He also has a food processing plant. He produces Côtes du Rhône wines with his business partner, Eric Beaumard. Their wine label is called Les Garrigues de Beaumard-Lambert. They sell most of their wine in Europe.

Personal Life

Christopher Lambert was married to American actress Diane Lane from 1988 to 1994. They had a daughter in 1993. He then married American actress Jaimyse Haft in 1999, and they divorced in 2000. From 2007 to 2014, he dated French actress Sophie Marceau.

Christopher has severe myopia, which means he cannot see well without his glasses. He cannot wear contact lenses. Because of this, he often performs while almost blind. This has sometimes led to him getting injured when doing his own stunts.

Filmography

Video Games

See also

In Spanish: Christopher Lambert para niños