Jean-Marc Barr

Jean-Marc Barr, born September 27, 1960, is a notable French-American film actor and director. He is most recognized for his collaboration with Danish film director Lars von Trier, with their partnership beginning from the film Europa (1991). His international upbringing has played a significant role in his career, being born to a French mother and an American father stationed in West Germany due to military service. Despite having a multilingual background with fluency in both French and English, Barr lived an itinerant childhood. In 1968, his family moved to France and then to California in 1974. His initial professional field was not predetermined as his parents wished him to join the armed forces. However, Barr had different plans and pursued philosophy at the University of California, Los Angeles, Paris Conservatoire, and the Sorbonne. He ultimately decided to move to London to pursue drama education at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Barr's acting career jump-started in the French theater in 1986. He then moved onto television, where he landed minor roles, and film. One of his breakthrough roles was with Luc Besson’s Big Blue (1988), where he was cast as Jacques Mayol. From there onwards, his career skyrocketed, leading him to work with famed directors and eventually directing his own films, such as the love story Lovers (1999).