Simon Abkarian

Simon Abkarian
Name	Simon Abkarian
Birth date	5 March 1962
Birth place	Gonesse, France
Occupation	Actor, theatre director
Years active	1985–present
Spouse	Catherine Schaub-Abkarian

Simon Abkarian is a French actor and theatre director of Armenian descent, renowned for his commanding stage presence and versatile performances across French and international film. His career, which began in theatre, is marked by a profound collaboration with renowned directors like Ariane Mnouchkine at the Théâtre du Soleil and a significant body of work in French cinema, including notable roles in films by Atom Egoyan and Mathieu Amalric. Abkarian is also celebrated for his interpretations of classic roles in the works of William Shakespeare and for bringing Armenian historical and cultural narratives to the global stage.

Early life and education

Born in Gonesse, Val-d'Oise, to parents who were survivors of the Armenian genocide, he was raised in a culturally rich environment that emphasized Armenian traditions. His family later moved to Beirut, Lebanon, where he spent much of his youth before returning to France due to the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War. Abkarian initially pursued studies in law but ultimately abandoned this path to follow his passion for the performing arts, training at the prestigious Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de Versailles.

Career

Abkarian's professional breakthrough came when he joined Ariane Mnouchkine's legendary Théâtre du Soleil in 1985, where he performed for over a decade in epic productions such as Les Atrides. This foundation propelled him into a prolific career in French cinema, with early film roles in works by directors like Cédric Klapisch. His international profile rose significantly with his poignant performance in Atom Egoyan's Ararat, a film dealing with the Armenian genocide. He has since appeared in major Hollywood productions such as Casino Royale and The Cut, while remaining a staple in European auteur cinema, collaborating with Mathieu Amalric in The Blue Room and Sergio Castellitto in Twice Born.

Theatre work

A dedicated man of the stage, Abkarian has excelled both as an actor and a director. He has delivered acclaimed performances in Shakespearean tragedies, playing King Lear at the Festival d'Avignon and the title role in Macbeth. His directorial work often explores Armenian history and identity, as seen in his play Tales of the City of Brass. He has frequently collaborated with institutions like the Comédie-Française and the Théâtre National de Chaillot, and his production of Un tramway was presented at the Odéon-Théâtre de l'Europe. His theatrical repertoire also includes works by Anton Chekhov and Bertolt Brecht.

Filmography

Abkarian's extensive filmography showcases his range across genres and languages. His notable film credits include The Spanish Apartment directed by Cédric Klapisch, Ararat by Atom Egoyan, and Casino Royale with Daniel Craig. He starred in Mathieu Amalric's The Blue Room and appeared in epic dramas like Exodus: Gods and Kings directed by Ridley Scott. Other significant works include The Cut by Fatih Akin, Une histoire d'amour by Hélène Fillières, and The Last Wave. He has also worked with director Robert Guédiguian in films such as Une histoire de fou.

Personal life

He is married to actress Catherine Schaub-Abkarian, with whom he has two children. Abkarian is a vocal advocate for Armenian causes and has been involved in various cultural and humanitarian projects related to Armenia. He maintains a deep connection to both France and his Armenian heritage, often speaking about the influence of history and displacement on his artistic perspective.

Awards and recognition

For his contributions to theatre and film, Abkarian was named a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture. He won the Molière Award for Best Actor for his performance in Un tramway. His performance in The Blue Room earned him a nomination for the César Award for Best Supporting Actor. He has also received the Prix du Syndicat de la Critique for best theatrical creation and the Armenian National Cinema Academy award for his body of work.

Category:French male stage actors Category:French male film actors Category:French theatre directors Category:French people of Armenian descent Category:1962 births Category:Living people