When he appeared on the "So Graham Norton" (1998) in 2001, it was his first ever interview in the UK. He also confessed to traveling on his motorcycle to the hospital for his bypass operation.

Engaged to Carole Bouquet, who had been his longtime companion since 1997, from 2003 to 2005.

His former girlfriend Karine Silla, mother of his daughter Roxanne, is now married to actor Vincent Perez, Deaprdieu's co-star in Cyrano de Bergerac (1990).

Has lived together with Clémentine Igou since 2005.

Classmate of Claude Jade and Alain Doutey at the École d'art dramatique (1966).

Best paid French actor, earning EUR 800,000 per movie (2005).

He was made a Fellow of the British Film Institute in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film culture.

Admires bishop, theologian and philosopher Saint Augustin, living from 354 to 430 in the North African town of Hippo Regius.

Owns vineyards in France, Italy, Morocco and Algeria.

Was considered for the role of Max in Sergio Leone`s gangster epic Once Upon a Time in America (1984). Depardieu said he was willing to perfect an American accent in order to play the role, but instead James Woods was cast.

Speaks Italian fluently.

Favorite actor and close friend of Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

He has been good friends with Robert De Niro for more than 30 years, since the two worked together in Bernardo Bertolucci`s Novecento (1976) in 1974-75.

A friend of John Travolta, he was asked by Travolta to be his French voice in the dubbed version of Brian De Palma`s movie Blow Out (1981).

Announced his intention to retire from acting in October 2005, saying he believed he had made enough films and wanted to concentrate on his other interests.

Owns two restaurants in Paris, one of them is called "La Fontaine Gaillon".

Left school at the age of 13 to be trained as a printer.

Grew up in Châteauroux in the Indre region.

Born to Réne Maxime Lionel Depardieu called "Le Dédé", a metal worker and firefighter, and his wife Anne Jeanne Josèphe Marillier called "La Lilette", he was the third of five children.

President of jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1992.

Time magazine ran a profile that mistakenly suggested that Depardieu might have "participated" in a rape at the age of nine. The claim was based on an interview carried out 13 years earlier and was the result of an incorrect translation. Depardieu is now careful about proper translation.

Depardieu is a typical name from the center of France.

Has his look-alike puppet in the French show "Guignols de l`info, Les" (1988).

Guillaume Depardieu`s wife Elise gave birth to a daughter, making him a grandfather (January 2001).

He became so engrossed in his role of Cyrano de Bergerac (1990) that he refused to shave off his Cyrano beard for a long while after the film was completed.

Underwent emergency quintuple heart bypass surgery in Paris, France, following a heart attack (10 July 2000).

Had a motorcycle accident and was hospitalized while filming Astérix et Obélix contre César (1999) in Paris.

Convicted of drunk driving in France in 1990. He was sentenced to 2 months jail (suspended) and loss of his license for 6 months.

His daughter Roxanne, whose mother is Karine Silla, was born in January 1992.

Is an accomplished winemaker.

Father of Guillaume Depardieu and Julie Depardieu.