Jean Reno

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19 Feb 2024

Jean Reno

Jean Reno, born Juan Moreno y Herrera-Jiménez on July 30, 1948, is a renowned French actor known for his versatile performances in various languages and genres. His career spans American, French, English, Japanese, Spanish, and Italian movie productions.
Reno has appeared in a diverse range of films, showcasing his talent and versatility. Some of his notable works include:

"Léon: The Professional" (1994): Reno portrayed the titular character, a professional hitman, in this iconic action thriller directed by Luc Besson.
"The Big Blue" (1988): In this visually stunning film directed by Luc Besson, Reno starred as Enzo Molinari, a free-diver with a deep connection to the ocean.
"La Femme Nikita" (1990): Reno had a memorable role in this action thriller directed by Luc Besson, playing Victor "The Cleaner," a mysterious and skilled operative.
"Les Visiteurs" (1993): Reno showcased his comedic talents in this popular French comedy film, where he played a medieval knight transported to the present day.
"Ronin" (1998): Reno starred alongside Robert De Niro in this action-packed thriller directed by John Frankenheimer, portraying a skilled mercenary involved in a complex heist.
"The Da Vinci Code" (2006): Reno appeared in this film adaptation of Dan Brown's bestselling novel, portraying the character Captain Bezu Fache of the French Judicial Police.
"Mission: Impossible" (1996): Reno joined the cast of this action-packed franchise in the first installment, playing an enigmatic French operative named Franz Krieger.
"Godzilla" (1998): Reno had a role in this American monster film, portraying Philippe Roache, a French secret service agent involved in battling the titular creature.
"Wasabi" (2001): Reno showcased his action-comedy chops in this French film, playing a retired French intelligence officer navigating the streets of Tokyo.
"Hector and the Search for Happiness" (2014): In this comedy-drama film, Reno played a pivotal role as Diego Baresco, a wealthy businessman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
"Flushed Away" (2006): Reno lent his voice to this animated comedy film, providing the voice for Le Frog, a villainous French frog.
"The Pink Panther" (2006): Reno appeared in this comedy film, playing Ponton, the loyal assistant to Inspector Jacques Clouseau, portrayed by Steve Martin.

Throughout his career, Jean Reno has established himself as a versatile and talented actor, captivating audiences with his memorable performances across various genres and languages.

Jean Reno, originally born Juan Moreno y Herrera-Jiménez, entered the world on July 30, 1948, in Casablanca, French Morocco. His parents hailed from Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, Spain, and had migrated to North Africa in search of employment opportunities and to escape the political climate of Francoist Spain.
Reno grew up alongside his younger sister, María Teresa ("Maite"), in a Catholic household. Their father worked as a linotypist to support the family. Tragically, Reno lost his mother during his teenage years.

Raised in Morocco, Reno was exposed to multiple languages and cultures. He learned Spanish from his parents, Arabic from the local environment, and French due to the colonial influence in the region. Additionally, he developed an interest in Italian and studied the language, later honing his skills while acting in Italian films.
At the age of 17, Reno made the significant move to France, where he pursued his passion for acting by enrolling in the Cours Simon School of Drama. Upon settling in France, he fulfilled his mandatory military service obligation in the French Army, a requirement following his family's acquisition of French citizenship.

After establishing himself in the French film industry, Juan Moreno adopted the French version of his name, Jean, and streamlined his surname to Reno. Initially, due to his imposing stature at 1.88 meters (6 feet 2 inches), Reno often portrayed "heavies" or tough characters in his early career. However, he later diversified his roles, appearing in romantic comedies and action films.
Reno's film career took off in France, particularly with collaborations with director Luc Besson, starting with his early role in Le Dernier Combat (1983). Their partnership continued with several successful projects, including La Femme Nikita (1990), The Big Blue (1988), and Léon: The Professional (1994), which garnered critical acclaim and commercial success.

In addition to his work with Besson, Reno lent his voice to the French-language version of Mufasa in The Lion King, originally voiced by James Earl Jones. He also starred in numerous high-profile American films, including French Kiss (1995), Mission: Impossible (1996), Ronin (1998), and Godzilla (1998). Interestingly, Reno turned down the role of Agent Smith in The Matrix.
In French cinema, Reno appeared in Les Visiteurs (1993), The Crimson Rivers (2000), and Jet Lag (Décalage Horaire) (2002), among others, all of which contributed to his reputation as a versatile and talented actor.
Outside of film, Reno ventured into other media, such as lending his likeness and voice to the protagonist Jacques Blanc in the popular video game Onimusha 3: Demon Siege. He also appeared in television commercials for UPS in the United States and portrayed Doraemon in Toyota ads in Japan.
Furthermore, Reno took on the lead role in the English-language TV series Jo in 2013, showcasing his range across various forms of entertainment.

Jean Reno has experienced three marriages. His first marriage was to a woman named Geneviève in 1977. However, the couple divorced in 1988. Reno then entered into his second marriage with Nathalie Dyszkiewicz, a Polish model, in 1995. Unfortunately, this marriage also ended in divorce in 2001.
Reno married for the third time on July 29, 2006. His third wife is Zofia Borucka, a British model and actress of Polish descent. The couple exchanged vows at the Les Baux-de-Provence city hall. Notably, the ceremony had Nicolas Sarkozy, a presidential candidate at the time, serving as Reno's best man. Reno had endorsed Sarkozy for the 2007 French presidential election.
Jean Reno maintains residences in three different locations: Paris, Malaysia, and Los Angeles.