Wissenswertes

He was awarded the César (French Oscar) for Der Löwe (1988) but refused to take the trophy because César Baldaccini, the sculptor who designed the award named after him, had once expressed bad opinions about the work of his father, fellow sculptor Paul Belmondo.

Is the favorite action star of Jackie Chan and Chow Yun-Fat.

Ursula Andress calls him the love of her life.

Belmondo always performed his own stunts but ceased to do so after an accident during the filming of Der Boss (1985).

Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#52). (1995)

He was the son of Sarah Madeleine Rainaud-Richard and Paul Belmondo, a prominent sculptor. His father was born in Algiers, Algeria, to Italian parents, with roots in Piedmont and Sicily. His mother was French, from a Parisian family.

Belmondo's name was in the headlines in Hollywood in April 1996, when he lashed out at the Hollywood studios and distributors. The actor was furious that his film Désiré (1995) was on only 20 screens in France while American films, such as Toy Story (1995), were on 500. He claimed that French theatre chains were "on their knees before Hollywood. When I hear them talk about defending French cinema, I can only laugh." (The American market share of movie ticket sales in France was 54 percent at the time, compared to only 35 percent for French-made product.).

(1965-1972) Cohabited with Ursula Andress.

Several action icons in comics books such as "Cobra" or "Blueberry" are based on him.

Enjoyed boxing and playing soccer in his youth; performed as goal-keeper during school years.

Has been Commander of France's Legion of Honor since 2007.

When he finally divorced first wife Elodie (after 3 years of separation), it was expected that Belmondo would marry longtime live-in girlfriend Ursula Andress. Then there was some shock when he decided not to.

On the film Monolog für zwei (1958) he had to go and do military service before he could record the soundtrack so his character's voice is that of the director, Jean-Luc Godard.

His second wife Natty Belmondo gave birth to a girl Stella on 13 August 2003.

He used to be a boxer. He entered 30 professional bouts which left him with a broken nose, a scarred face and a slope shouldered walk.

While in Corsica, Jean-Paul suffered a stroke that left the right side of his face paralyzed. He was transferred to a Paris hospital and was released from intensive care after 6 days. (8. August 2001)

(1972-1980) Cohabited with Laura Antonelli.

Co-owner of Stressa, an italian restaurant on rue Chambiges located behind the Plaza Athena Hotel in Paris' 8th arrondisement. His partners are two brothers who manage the day to day operations of the restaurant.

Was considered for Steve McQueen's role in Thomas Crown ist nicht zu fassen (1968).

Made his stage debut in 1950.

His first wife was a former Paris opera ballet dancer.

Referenced in Donovan's song "Sunny South Kensington".

(2008-2012) Cohabited with Barbara Gandolfi.

Founded touring company with Annie Girardot and Guy Bedos.

Was a longtime business partner of French mogul René Chateau.

Cohabited with Nathalie Tardivel better known as "Natty" from 1989 to 2002 before marrying on 29 December 2002.

Son Paul was once engaged to Princess Stéphanie of Monaco.

The promenade under the metro on BirHakeim bridge has been renamed by the City of Paris in his honor in March 2023. It is seen in many movies including Peur sur la ville, Last Tango in Paris and Inception.

(1980-1987) Cohabited with Maria Carlos Sotto Mayor.

Supports the French soccer team 'Paris Saint-Germain'.

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

Brother of Alain Belmondo and Muriel Belmondo.

Father-in-law of Luana Belmondo.