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Biography: Born in Paris
to a French father and an American mother, Michael Vartan grew up in
the tiny Normandy village of Fleury until the age of 18, when he moved
to Los Angeles to live with his mother who encouraged him to take acting
classes.
After starring in two small French
films, Vartan grabbed the attention of the film world with his breakthrough
performance in the 1993 Italian epic "Fiorile," directed by Paolo and
Vittorio Taviani. Vartan, who was nominated for a French Caesar Award
for Best Up-and-Coming Actor, played two characters in the movie.
Soon after, Vartan signed with
an agent and landed a role in "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie
Newmar," playing the bigoted small-town thug who harasses three drag
queens (Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo). He went on
to star opposite David Schwimmer as one of his best friends in "The
Pallbearer," and also starred in "The Myth of Fingerprints," with Julianne
Moore, and "The Curve," with Keri Russell, both of which premiered at
the Sundance Film Festival in 1997 and 1998, respectively.
Most recently Vartan starred opposite
Drew Barrymore in the feature film "Never Been Kissed," and he'll be
seen later this year in the psychological thriller "One Hour Photo,"
opposite Robin Williams.
On television Vartan starred as
Sir Lancelot in the miniseries The
Mists of Avalon, opposite Angelica Huston, Julianna Margulies and
Joan Allen, and has guest-starred on Ally
McBeal and Friends.
In his spare time Vartan enjoys
playing many different types of sports and is an avid hockey and baseball
fan.
Television Credits:
Alias as Agent Vaughn
Ally McBeal as
Jonathan Bassett (2 episodes in 2000)
Friends as Dr. Tim
Burke in episode: "The One with Chandler In a Box " (original airdate:
11/20/1997)
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