Marion Cotillard Inception

Born September 30, 1975 in Paris, France, it wouldn't take Marion Cotillard long to find her passion in acting. Her father, also an actor, introduced her to the cinema at a young age and by the time Marion was 15 she was enrolled in a top drama school ready to pursue a full-time career as an actress. Starting with theatre and working her way up to smaller roles on television including 1993's Highlander and her film debut at 18 in The Story of a Boy Who Wanted to Be Kissed, Marion would soon be a rising star not just in France, but in Hollywood!

Marion Cotillard's big break would come in 1998 with the French action-comedy Taxi. Playing the role of "Lilly Bertineau" alongside actor Samy Naceri, Marion would earn the nomination for a César Award for Most Promising Actress. The film, so popular, would go on to have two sequels! 

After Marion Cotillard's big break in France, it wouldn't take her long to break into Hollywood. Her first big Hollywood role would come in Tim Burton's 2003 drama Big Fish. In her first American film, Marion Cotillard had the opportunity to work among some of Hollywood's biggest names including Helena Bonham Carter, Jessica Lange, and Ewan McGregor. 

RELATED: Helena Bonham Carter's Career In Pictures

Marion Cotillard would continue to star on both the French screen and American screen, taking on films including French romantic comedy Love Me If You Dare (2003) and A Very Long Engagement as well as big American films like A Good Year (2006). 

The role that would really launch Marion Cotillard into the spotlight worldwide, however, would be 2007's biopic La Vie en Rose. Based on the true story of French singer Édith Piaf, Marion was praised for how well she embodied the legendary French singer. The outstanding performance would earn Marion her second César award, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award for Best Actress, making Marion the first actress to win an Academy Award for a French-speaking role. 

Marion Cotillard's prominence has only risen higher since La Vie en Rose and she has had the chance to star opposite of some of the biggest actors in Hollywood such as Johnny Depp and Christian Bale in 2009's Public Enemies as well as Daniel Day-Lewis in 2009's musical film Nine. 

RELATED: Johnny Depp's Daughter, Actress Lily-Rose Depp

One of our favorite Marion Cotillard roles came in hit science fiction action film Inception (2010). Starring opposite the handsome and talented Leonardo DiCaprio, Marion Cotillard absolutely shines in her role as "Mal Cobb", a projection of DiCaprio's deceased wife. Praised highly by both critics and DiCaprio himself, Marion and DiCaprio would rank as number eight on Forbes' list of "Hollywood's Top Earning On-Screen Couples". 

Less than ten years into her Hollywood career, Marion Cotillard was one of the most sought after actresses both in France and America. After starring in Inception, Marion would star in French comedy Little White Lies (2010) and two hit 2011 films, Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris and thriller Contagion. 

While her next role would be smaller than most of her previous roles, Marion Cotillard would join Christian Bale, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Cillian Murphy for one of the biggest films of 2012, Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises. Playing the part of Wayne Enterprises board member "Miranda Tate", Marion Cotillard's part may have been small, but you can't help but be drawn to her on-screen charisma! 

That same year, Marion Cotillard would also find success on the French screen in Rust and Bone. Taking on the main role of orca trainer "Stéphanie", Marion delivered a heartwarming performance that would get her nominated for another César Award, a Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award!