Gaspard Ulliel -- The Young Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal Rising

He is a French actor and former male fashion model. He began appearing in made-for-television films during the late 1990s and early 2000s, and has since become known as a film actor in France, as well as starred in the title role in the horror/thriller Hannibal Rising.

Ulliel's most recent role is playing the young Hannibal Lecter, the title character of the prequel Hannibal Rising, which was released on February 9, 2007. Ulliel initially hesitated to audition for the role because of the character's popularity. The part is his second English-language film, and the first film where he speaks English in a leading role. It has not yet been decided whether there will be another film featuring Ulliel as Lecter. Ulliel's next role will be in a Niki Caro directed drama scheduled to film in New Zealand and France.

Ulliel was born November 25, 1984 in the Parisian suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt to a runway show producer mother and a stylist father. He has a scar on his cheek as a result of a dog's scratch from when he was six years old. Ulliel attended the University of Saint-Denis, where he studied cinema. Gaspard Ulliel's dream has always been to direct a movie, and after completing his studies at the lycée (French high school), he majored in cinema at the University of Saint-Denis. However, fate had other plans, and he is currently pursuing an acting career. It began when Ulliel was 12 years old when he appeared in the TV film "Une femme en blanc" (1997) (mini). During the following years, Ulliel continued working on TV and was cast in short films such as Alias (1999). He played a young shepherd who was injured by The Beast in Pacte des loups, Le (2001), and was then discovered by director Michel Blanc, who offered him a part in Embrassez qui vous voudrez (2002) which also starred veteran actress Charlotte Rampling. Ulliel then took summer stages at Les Cours Florent and was asked by director André Téchiné to star in Égarés, Les (2003) as Emmanuelle Béart’s lover. His role as Manech opposite Audrey Tautou in Un long dimanche de fiançailles (2004) brought him to stardom. He has been nominated thrice for Most Promising Male Newcomer at the César Awards (the equivalent of the Oscars in France) in 2003, 2004 and 2005; he won the last one. Ulliel's lead roles include Dernier jour, Le (2004), Jacquou le croquant (2007) and Hannibal Rising (2007), his first major English-language film.

Trivia

• His parents are both stylists.
• His scar on his left cheek is the result of a doberman's attack when Gaspard was 6.
• His Height is 5' 10¾" (1.80 m)
• Felt faint at Cannes film festival because of his shyness.
• Favorite actress is Jeanne Moreau.
• Keen sportsman: is a competition skier and loves swimming, waterskiing, skateboarding, rollerblading and tennis.
• Speaks fluent English.
• Big fan of Milan Kundera.
• French citizen.
• Has the same hometown as fellow French actor Guillaume Canet (from The Beach (2000/I) and Jeux d'enfants (2003)).