Audrey Tautou

Audrey Tautou was born in Beaumont in Puy-de-Domme France on August 9 1976 the eldest of four children. Audrey's parents who was both dentists and teacher, were aware of and encouraged their daughter's love for theater and drama at an early stage. This support was enough to combat her desire to become an animal scientist. At the age of a young lady the rise to fame was swift and ended with early recognition and success. After her graduation in 1998, she was a participant in the French television show that scouts talent Jeunes Premiers sponsored by Canal+ and won Best Young Actress at the Beziers Festival of Young Actors prior to beginning acting professionally. Though she was a student at the Institut Catholique de Paris and attended church in her youth Tautou is now averse to the Catholic tradition, saying that she is not officially Catholic. As well as her acting profession she started a modelling career. She is also the spokesperson for L'Oreal Mont Blanc & Chanel and is sometimes referred to as the Chanel Muse. She also has a serious photographic passion and has recently exhibited her work during the Arles Festival under the title Superficial. Her work focuses on celebrity and the fame. The exhibition also includes an assortment of self-portraits as well as a focus on journalists that have scrutinised Tautou since her meteoric popularity following Amelie. Audrey Tautou shot to stardom and international fame with her first big role, starring as the lead in Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain. Amelie was a the box office and was recognized at award ceremonies across the globe. Amelie has been the most financially successful french-language film to hit the US. Following this massive success, Tautou starred in a variety of films, including British dramatics, such as Stephen Knight's Dirty Pretty Things and Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Un long Sunday de fiancailles. Tautou also appeared alongside Tom Hanks in Ron Howard's The Da Vinci Code directed by Dan Brown.