Karin Viard

Karin Viard (born 24 January 1966 in Rouen, France) is a celebrated French actress whose career spans more than three decades. Educated at the Lycée Pierre‑Corneille in Rouen, she entered the professional world in 1986 and made her cinematic debut with Tatie Danielle in 1990, quickly establishing a reputation for versatility and emotional depth. Over the years she has appeared in a wide range of French and international productions, from the darkly comic Delicatessen to the psychological thriller L'Emploi du temps, the romantic drama Adultère, mode d'emploi, and the whimsical family film La parenthèse enchantée. Her performance in Haut les cœurs! earned her the first César Award for Best Actress in 2000, confirming her status as one of France’s leading talent. She added a César for Best Supporting Actress for Embrassez qui vous voudrez in 2003 and another in the same category for Little Tickles in 2019, bringing her total César wins to three out of thirteen nominations. Viard’s acclaim extends beyond France; she received the Best Actress prize at the Montréal World Film Festival for Le Rôle de sa vie. In 2003 she was invited to serve on the Cannes Film Festival jury, underscoring her influence within the industry. Her personal life is marked by a long‑term partnership with cinematographer Laurent Machuel, with whom she shares two daughters, Marguerite (born 1998) and Simone (born 2000). Beyond film, Viard has also worked in theatre and television, continually expanding her artistic range while maintaining a strong presence on the French cultural scene.