Gaspard Ulliel's lifelong aspiration was to take the reins behind the camera, and after completing his secondary education at a French lycée, he pursued a major in cinema at the University of Saint-Denis, subsequently embarking on an acting career.
Born in the City of Light, Paris, to Christine, a stylist and runway show producer, and Serge Ulliel, a fashion designer, one of his earliest professional performances occurred when he was just twelve years old, in the television film Une femme en blanc (1997). Throughout the following years, Ulliel continued to hone his craft on television and was cast in short films such as Alias (1999).
He made his mark in the cinematic world when he played a young shepherd who was gravely injured by The Beast in Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001). This performance caught the attention of renowned director Michel Blanc, who subsequently offered him a role in Summer Things (2002),alongside veteran actress Charlotte Rampling.
Ulliel then took summer stages at Les Cours Florent and was handpicked by director André Téchiné to star in Strayed (2003) alongside Emmanuelle Béart. His portrayal of Manech opposite Audrey Tautou in A Very Long Engagement (2004) catapulted him to stardom.
Throughout his illustrious career, Ulliel received numerous accolades, including three nominations for Most Promising Male Newcomer at the César Awards (the French equivalent of the Oscars) in 2003, 2004, and 2005, ultimately taking home the award in 2005. His notable lead roles include The Last Day (2004),Jacquou le croquant (2007),and Hannibal Rising (2007),his first major English-language film.
In his personal life, Ulliel shared a son with his former partner, model and singer Gaëlle Piétri, born in January 2016. The couple parted ways in 2020. Tragically, Gaspard Ulliel's life was cut short on January 19, 2022, in La Tronche, Isère, France, following a skiing accident.
