The Artist's Jean Dujardin: 5 Things You Don't Know

Celebrity News February 26, 2012 AT 10:11PM
The Artist's Jean Dujardin: 5 Things You Don't Know Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage.com

The Artist's Jean Dujardin has already won the Golden Globe, SAG, and BAFTA's Best Leading Actor Awards for his turn as George Valentin, a silent movie star whose career falters at the dawn of the talkies. And on Sunday, he went head-to-head with Hollywood leading men, including Brad Pitt and George Clooney, to take home the Oscars' Best Actor trophy. Here's what you need to know about the suave 39-year-old breakout star.

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He's a family man. Dujardin currently lives in Paris with comedienne wife, Alexandra Lamy Dujardin, 36, who he met while filming the French comedy series Un gars, une fille. He has two sons and his wife has a daughter, all from previous relationships.

He got a late start. Growing up in the suburbs of Paris, Dujardin didn't get into acting until he was 24-years-old, when he started writing stand-up comedy sketches in bars. "[My career]…is accidental," he has said.

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He used to be a locksmith. Before he made it big, the comedic actor worked as an apprentice to a locksmith after being told his face was too rotund for the camera.

He's a great dancer: He learned to tap dance for his role in The Artist, but the leading man has long been light on his feet. "I love dancing in general and making girls dance," he says. "My generation doesn't do it enough."

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He won’t move to Hollywood: "Oh, no," he said, when asked if he'd ever move to the United States. "I am too Parisian. And I think the French would be angry if I left. I hope they would be angry."

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  • February 27, 2012 - 8:34am Brenda Cibelli

    he's so handsome---, brilliant performance----Valentino, John Barrymore and Douglas Fairbanks all rolled into one--and a great smile!!!!!

  • February 26, 2012 - 8:21pm Timothy Ellsworth Messer

    I'm 54 and don't have THAT many wrinkles on my face!!...He's only 39??....Lies and propaganda!! LOL LOL!!

  • February 24, 2012 - 9:28am Janet Lingel Aldrich

    I hope he gets the Oscar and the Cesar to add to the Palm D'Or, SAG, BAFTA, Goya, Golden Globe and Australian Oscar he's won. What a year he's had!

  • February 24, 2012 - 6:05am Lama Itani

    the French are as boring as hell

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