Marion Cotillard, who won the Best Actress Academy Award for her role as Édith Piaf in La môme (2007) (retitled "La Vie en Rose" in the United States), is the second actress to win an acting Oscar performing in a language other than English next to Sophia Loren who won for Ciociara, La (1960). Only two male performers (Roberto Benigni for La Vita e Bella and Robert De Niro for The Godfather, Part II) have won an Oscar for solely non-English parts.A Libran born in Paris on September 30, 1975, Cotillard is the daughter of Jean-Claude Cotillard, an actor, playwright and director, and Niseema Theillaud, an actress and drama teacher. Raised in Orléans, France, she made her acting debut as a child with a role in one of her father's plays. She studied drama at the Conservatoire d'Art Dramatique in Orléans.While still a teenager, Cotillard made her cinema debut in the film Histoire du garçon qui voulait qu'on l'embrasse, L' (1994). Her first prominent screen role was as "Lilly Bertineau" in Taxi (1998/I), a role which she reprised in two sequels. Director Olivier Dahan cast Cotillard to play Édith Piaf, the legendary French singer, in La môme (2007) because to him her eyes were like those of Piaf. The fact that she can sing also helped Cotillard land the role of Piaf, although most of the singing in the film is that of Piaf's.Her turn as Piaf brought Cotillard the Oscar, the César (France's equivalent to the Oscar), a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe among other prizes. Trevor Nunn called her portrayal of Piaf "one of the greatest performances on film ever". At the Berlin International Film Festival, where the film premiered, Cotillard was given a 15-minute standing ovation.

If she had not been an actress, she would have liked to become a singer.She's an ecologist.Had to learn how to sing in one month to play Marie in Les jolies choses (2001).Is good friends with Élodie Navarre.Spokesperson for Greenpeace. Is also one of several actors, singers, and designers involved in "Dessins pour le climat," an album project originated by Greenpeace and Glénat, available for sale beginning April 2005 (all proceeds to go to Greenpeace).French citizen.Co-wrote and performed song "La Fille De Joie" for her film "Les Jolies Choses". Also performed song "La Conne" for this film.Has two younger brothers: Guillaume and Quentin, they are identical twins (born on 6 November 1977).Born to Jean-Claude Cotillard, an actor and teacher, and his wife Niseema Theillaud, also actress and drama teacher.Is a member of Greenpeace.Moved to Paris at the age of 16.Cousin of Laurent Cotillard.Grew up in Orléans.Being a huge fan of Canadian singer Hawksley Workman, she starred in two of his clips.Companion of her Jeux d'enfants (2003) co-star Guillaume Canet since 2007.Having won the Best Actress Oscar for La môme (2007) on 24 February 2008, she has become the second French actress to do so. The other one is Simone Signoret for Room at the Top (1959). Claudette Colbert, who won in 1934 for It Happened One Night (1934), was French-born, but raised in the U.S.Her brother Quentin works as a sculptor, living in San Francisco, California with his Irish-American wife Elaine O'Malley Cotillard, a former Dutch National Ballet dancer and fashion designer.Her younger brother, Guillaume Cotillard, is a screenwriter and director.The first leading lady to receive the best actress Oscar for a non-English speaking role since Sophia Loren in 1962 for La ciociara (1960).Is the third actress to win the Best Actress Oscar for portraying a female singer in a biography; the first being Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner's Daughter (1980) and the second was Reese Witherspoon as June Carter Cash in Walk the Line (2005).Is one of six performers to win an Oscar playing a character that mostly spoke in a foreign language. The others are Sophia Loren, Robert De Niro, Marlee Matlin, Roberto Benigni and Benicio Del Toro.One of 105 people invited to join AMPAS in 2008.First French actress to win Best Leading Actress at BAFTA Film Awards since the integration of Best British Actress and Best Foreign Actress to one category: Best Leading Actress in 1969.The dress she wore to the Academy Awards (where she won the Best Actress Oscar) was especially designed for her by Jean-Paul Gaultier. [2008]Was considered for the role of Hanna Schmitz in The Reader (2008) after Nicole Kidman dropped out due to pregnancy. However the part eventually went to Kate Winslet.First artist to win a Best Actress Oscar for a performance in the French language.Has been romantically linked to singer Sinclair and to Gaspard Ulliel.