Biography
Who is Guillaume Canet?
Early life and education
Guillaume Canet was born in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, into a family of horse breeders. He originally planned to pursue a career as a show jumper and was a member of the junior French National Equestrian Team. However, a fall from a horse at age 18 changed his path toward acting.
He enrolled at the Cours Florent drama school to study performance. After his training, he worked in various commercials and television programs. He made his first appearance in a short film titled Fils unique before moving into feature films.
Acting and directing career
His film career includes roles in the thriller Barracuda and the science fiction movie Vidocq. He starred in the international production The Beach and the comedy Love Me If You Dare. In 2002, he wrote and directed his first feature film, Mon Idole, which featured his then-wife Diane Kruger.
Guillaume Canet achieved significant success with the 2006 film Tell No One, which he both wrote and directed. This project won four César awards, including Best Director. He also directed Marion Cotillard in several projects, such as Blood Ties and Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom.
Show jumping and honors
Outside of cinema, he is an accomplished show jumper. Between 2012 and 2017, he participated in 623 different competitions. During this time, he won 33 events and earned nearly €67,000 in prize money at international shows in locations like Chantilly Jumping and La Baule.
His contributions to the arts have earned him several distinctions. He was appointed a knight of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2009. In 2025, he received the title of Knight of the Legion of Honour.
Family and personal life
Guillaume Canet was married to Diane Kruger in 2001, though they filed for divorce in 2006. He later had relationships with Carla Bruni and Élodie Navarre. From 2007 until 2025, he was in a long-term relationship with the actress Marion Cotillard.
He and Cotillard have two children, a son born in 2011 and a daughter born in 2017. In June 2025, the pair announced their separation through a joint statement. He currently lives in Paris.
Birthday and age
Guillaume Canet was born on April 10, 1973, which makes Guillaume 53 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Guillaume shares the date with 41 other famous people.
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