Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1978-01-20
- Born Place: Trappes, Yvelines, France
Omar Sy
Omar Sy is a globally recognized French actor and producer whose career is a testament to his charisma and range, moving seamlessly from French comedy to Hollywood blockbusters. Born on January 20, 1978, in Trappes, France, he was the fourth of eight children in a West African immigrant family—his father from Senegal and his mother from Mauritania. He began his journey in entertainment as a radio host and comedian, forming the beloved duo "Omar and Fred" with Fred Testot. His monumental breakthrough came in 2011 with the film The Intouchables, where his performance as Driss earned him the César Award for Best Actor, making him the first Black actor to receive the honor. Since then, he has become a mainstay in international cinema, starring in major franchises like X-Men: Days of Future Past (as Bishop), Jurassic World, and Transformers: The Last Knight, while also gaining massive streaming success as the lead in the hit Netflix series Lupin. In the 2026 drama I Was a Stranger, Sy delivers one of his most complex performances as Marwan, a human smuggler operating in Turkey. His character is portrayed with a haunting duality; he is shown as a devoted patriarch trying to protect his own family while simultaneously serving as an imposing, profit-driven hustler who exploits the desperation of refugees. This role reunites Sy with director Brandt Andersen, with whom he previously collaborated on the short film Refugee. Beyond his acting accolades, Sy is a significant cultural figure who has been voted France's favorite personality multiple times and was named an ambassador for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Hélène, and their five children, and he remains deeply committed to humanitarian efforts, particularly those supporting the rights and visibility of the African diaspora.
