Mélanie Laurent (French pronunciation: [melani loʁɑ̃] (listen); born 21 February 1983) is a French actress, singer, pianist, screenwriter and director. Born in Paris to a Jewish family, she was introduced to acting at the age of sixteen by Gérard Depardieu, who cast her in a minor role in the romantic drama The Bridge (1999). The recipient of two César Awards, an Étoiles d'or du cinéma français, and a Lumières Award, Laurent has established herself as an accomplished actress in the French film industry.