Mélanie Laurent

Laurent in 2013, photo by Prphotos

Place of Birth: Paris, France

Date of Birth: 21 February, 1983

Ethnicity:
*father – French
*mother – Ashkenazi Jewish, Sephardi Jewish

Mélanie Laurent is a French actress, singer, pianist, screenwriter, and director. She starred as Shosanna Dreyfus in the film Inglourious Basterds. Her roles also include the films The Bridge (1999), Summer Things, Rice Rhapsody, The Last Day (2004), The Beat That My Heart Skipped, Days of Glory (2006), Dikkenek, Don’t Worry, I’m Fine; Hidden Love, The Killer (2007), Room of Death, Paris (2008), Le Concert, The Round Up (2010), Beginners, Wings of Life, The Day I Saw Your Heart, Night Train to Lisbon, Now You See Me, Enemy (2013), Aloft, Boomerang, By the Sea (2015), Eternity (2016), Return of the Hero, Operation Finale, Mia and the White Lion, 6 Underground, Oxygen (2021), Murder Mystery 2, The Flood (2024), and The Wonderers. She wrote and directed a short film for X Femmes; directed the films The Adopted, which she starred in; Breathe (2014), Plonger, Galveston, The Mad Women’s Ball, Wingwomen, both of which she also starred in; and Libre (2024); and co-directed the documentary Tomorrow (2015). She also wrote Plonger, and co-wrote The Adopted, Breathe, The Mad Women’s Ball, Wingwomen, and Libre.

She is the daughter of Annick, a ballerina, and Pierre Laurent, a voice over actor. She grew up in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Mélanie has two children with her husband.

One of Mélanie’s grandfathers was named Henri.

Her maternal grandparents were film poster editors.

Mélanie’s maternal grandfather was of Polish Jewish descent.

Mélanie’s maternal grandmother was a Tunisian Jewish immigrant.