My Dad Is a Coward and a Liar He Cares Only About Money Guillaume Depardieu in His Father's Shadow and the Battle Within
Gérard Depardieu is known not only for his vivid roles, but also, as a true Frenchman, for numerous affairs. His first marriage and subsequent relationships gave the actor children – Guillaume, Julie, Roxane and Jean. How did the fate of Depardieu's firstborn unfold, and why did Guillaume speak unfavorably about his star father? The actor's firstborn was born on April 7, 1971. His mother was the actor's first wife Elisabeth Guignot, who was seven years older than Gérard. The boy was named Guillaume, and his fate became an unhealing wound for the famous family. Guillaume's childhood coincided with the dizzying rise of both parents' careers. The boy desperately needed their attention and, as if copying his father's fate, he plunged into all sorts of misdeeds. Desperately seeking paternal love, Guillaume got involved in brawls and criminal activity. The destructive habits led to addiction, which predetermined the sad ending. At seventeen, the young man received a real prison sentence of nine months. The star father, out of benevolent motives, did not trouble himself about his release. Gérard wanted to teach his son a lesson, for he himself had once been the same desperate daredevil. In the early nineties, 21-year-old Guillaume Depardieu debuted in the historical drama All the Mornings of the World. He embodied on screen the image of the young composer Marin Marais. The irony of fate was that the role of his hero's father was played by Gérard Depardieu. Their striking similarity provided the opportunity to depict the same character in different life segments with maximum fidelity. Guillaume's work was highly regarded by critics, opening the door to big cinema. The resemblance to the famous father would serve him as support more than once. They starred together in adaptations of The Count of Monte Cristo and Les Misérables. But the ice of misunderstanding between them never melted. In the following years Guillaume appeared in dozens of films, but could not overcome his demons. In 1995 Depardieu received the prestigious César Award for his role in the drama The Apprentices. But during filming the actor had to be admitted to a psychiatric clinic. Yet these were not all the trials fate had in store for him that year. The 24-year-old actor was involved in an accident not of his own fault and sustained serious injuries. Guillaume was riding a motorcycle, and a suitcase from the trunk of a car ahead fell onto his wheels. Doctors insisted on an operation, which proved fatal for Guillaume. The wound became infected. Painkillers and the subsequent seventeen operations did not help. Eight years of torment later Guillaume agreed to an amputation. However his film career did not end. The Depardieu heir continued to shoot, using a prosthesis. Besides his acting talent, Guillaume possessed literary talent. He published the autobiography 'Give It All', where he harshly criticized his father, naming him vain, cowardly and hopelessly devoid of nobility: He wrote that there was not a single happy day in his life. These words were a cruel blow to the star father. In an interview that Gérard Depardieu gave after the release of his son's memoir, he called the book 'Cry of the Soul'. Guillaume inherited a rebellious character and the charismatic appearance of Gérard. But in his personal life he faced a string of failures. One lover left him. The second became his wife in 1999, gave birth to a daughter named Louisa, but the marriage broke up after four years. He did not manage to have more children. In October 2008, the 37-year-old Guillaume Depardieu passed away. His frail body could not cope with pneumonia.
In This Article:
Born into Fame Haunted by Absence
Guillaume's childhood coincided with the dizzying rise of both parents' careers. The boy desperately needed their attention and, as if copying his father's fate, he plunged into all sorts of debauchery. Desperately seeking paternal love, Guillaume got involved in brawls and criminal activity. The destructive habits led to addiction, which predetermined the sad ending. At seventeen, the young man received a real prison sentence of nine months. The star father, out of benevolent motives, did not trouble himself about his release. Gérard wanted to teach his son a lesson, for he himself had once been the same desperate daredevil.
All the Mornings of the World Debut and the Father Who Played His Hero's Father
In the early nineties, 21-year-old Guillaume Depardieu debuted in the historical drama All the Mornings of the World. He embodied on screen the image of the young composer Marin Marais. The irony of fate was that the role of his hero's father was played by Gérard Depardieu. Their striking similarity provided the opportunity to depict the same character in different life segments with maximum fidelity. Guillaume's work was highly regarded by critics, opening the door to big cinema. The resemblance to the famous father would serve him as support more than once. They starred together in adaptations of The Count of Monte Cristo and Les Misérables. But the ice of misunderstanding between them never melted.
From César to Tragedy Injury Amputation and a Career That Endured
In the following years Guillaume appeared in dozens of films, but could not overcome his demons. In 1995 Depardieu received the prestigious César Award for his role in the drama The Apprentices. But during filming the actor had to be admitted to a psychiatric clinic. Yet these were not all the trials fate had in store for him that year. The 24-year-old actor was involved in an accident not of his own fault and sustained serious injuries. Guillaume was riding a motorcycle, and a suitcase from the trunk of a car ahead fell onto his wheels. Doctors insisted on an operation, which proved fatal for Guillaume. The wound became infected. Painkillers and the subsequent seventeen operations did not help. Eight years of torment later Guillaume agreed to an amputation. However his film career did not end. The Depardieu heir continued to shoot, using a prosthesis.
Give It All The Autobiography That Broke a Bond and a Father's Response
Besides his acting talent, Guillaume possessed literary talent. He published the autobiography 'Give It All', where he harshly criticized his father, naming him vain, cowardly and hopelessly devoid of nobility. He wrote that there was not a single happy day in his life. These words were a cruel blow to the star father. In an interview that Depardieu Sr. gave after the release of his son's memoir, he called the book 'Cry of the Soul'.
Love Loss and a Tragic End
Guillaume inherited a rebellious character and the charismatic appearance of Gérard. But in his personal life he faced a string of failures. One lover left him. The second became his wife in 1999, gave birth to a daughter named Louisa, but the marriage broke up after four years. He did not manage to have more children. In October 2008, the 37-year-old Guillaume Depardieu passed away. His frail body could not cope with pneumonia.
