Christopher Lambert
Take a journey through the life of Christopher Lambert — American-born French actor, producer, and novelist. Explore his early years, breakout roles (Tarzan, Highlander), later work, and the philosophy behind his performances.
Introduction
Christopher Lambert (born March 29, 1957) is a film actor whose career spans multiple languages, genres, and decades. Though born in the U.S., he is better known as a French actor, acclaimed for big screen epics, cult favorites, and daring character turns. From Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan to Highlander, Lambert’s performances have left an indelible mark in cinematic history. In this article, we explore his life, works, and insights.
Early Life and Family
Christopher Lambert was born Christophe Guy Denis Lambert on March 29, 1957 in Great Neck, Long Island, New York. Georges Lambert-Lamond, served as a diplomat (notably with the United Nations), and his mother, Yolande Agnès Henriette (de Caritat de Peruzzis), had French background.
When he was about two years old, the family relocated to Switzerland, settling later in Geneva, owing to his father’s diplomatic posting.
His upbringing across countries and exposure to multiple languages (French, English) helped prepare him for a transnational acting career.
Youth, Training & Early Screen Steps
Lambert’s entry into acting began in his youth: he first appeared in a school play at age 12.
He further pursued dramatic arts at the Paris Conservatoire, staying for around two years before venturing into cinema.
These roles gradually built his experience, range, and visibility within European cinema circles before his breakout into international prominence.
Career and Achievements
Breakthrough: Tarzan and Subway
Lambert’s first major international exposure came with Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984), in which he played John Clayton / Tarzan.
Following that, in 1985, Lambert starred in Subway, a stylish French thriller directed by Luc Besson. His performance won him the César Award for Best Actor — one of France’s highest honors.
Highlander & International Cult Status
In 1986, Lambert took on what became his signature role: Connor MacLeod, the immortal swordsman in Highlander. Highlander evolved into a franchise (films, series, spin-offs), and Lambert reprised his role in several installments.
Genre Versatility & Later Roles
Lambert continued to explore diverse roles, including:
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The Sicilian (1987), directed by Michael Cimino
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To Kill a Priest (1988) — playing a conflicted religious figure
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Highlander II: The Quickening (1991) and later sequels of the Highlander series
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Knight Moves (1992) — a psychological thriller about chess and crime
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Fortress (1993) — sci-fi action in dystopian future settings
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Mortal Kombat (1995), where he portrayed Raiden, the thunder god in the live-action adaptation of the popular video game.
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More recent work includes Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, NCIS: Los Angeles (as a recurring character “The Chameleon”), Hail, Caesar!, Sobibor (portraying SS officer Karl Frenzel) and others.
Beyond acting, Lambert ventured into production and writing. He served as executive producer on films such as Nine Months (1995) La fille porte-bonheur in 2011 and Le juge in 2015).
He also invests in business ventures, including wine production (Côtes du Rhône) in France.
Historical Milestones & Turning Points
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1984: Breakthrough in Greystoke as Tarzan
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1985: Wins César Award for Subway
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1986: Cast as Connor MacLeod in Highlander; franchise momentum begins
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1991 onward: Participation in Highlander sequels, and branching into action, sci-fi, and fantasy genres
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1995: Joins Mortal Kombat, further cementing genre status
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2000s–2010s: Roles in European and Hollywood films, production roles, and TV appearances
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Recent: Continues acting into the 2010s and beyond, appearing in films like Sobibor (2018) and series roles
Legacy and Influence
Christopher Lambert is known for:
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Cross-cultural success: Though born in the U.S. and active in French cinema, he has built a global career bridging languages, styles, and markets.
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Genre icon status: Highlander remains a cult classic; his role as Connor MacLeod endures in pop culture.
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Versatility: Lambert moved fluidly between action, sci-fi, drama, thriller — resisting being pigeonholed.
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Persistence: Despite not always being the mainstream “Hollywood star,” Lambert has maintained a steady presence and reinvented himself across decades.
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Creative expansion: His work in production, writing, and business (vineyard ventures) shows a multidimensional artistic life.
His career path offers a model for actors who want to navigate both European and American cinema without sacrificing identity.
Personality, Challenges & Traits
Lambert is known for a compelling, intense screen presence and a certain mystique. A notable constraint is his severe myopia: he cannot see without glasses and is unable to wear contact lenses, which has made performing stunts or seeing in bright conditions challenging.
He has often embraced roles with internal conflict, supernatural elements, and moral complexity — characters who operate between light and shadow. His multilingual background and cultural fluency give him access to varied roles across markets.
In interviews, Lambert has expressed the importance of flexibility, reinvention, and willingness to take unconventional roles over safe ones.
Notable Quotes
While Christopher Lambert is more cited for his roles than for quotable lines, some remarks attributed to him or reflecting his mindset include:
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On being cast as Tarzan: He noted that the fact he wore glasses (his myopia) helped him appear “looking into the distance” when the glasses were removed — an interesting casting anecdote.
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On his identity as an actor: He has referenced that he doesn’t want to be limited by one role or genre — aiming to explore many facets.
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On his creative life: In interviews he’s spoken of balancing artistic integrity with the demands of international markets and commercial cinema.