If the world speaks French, then it must be...

THE LANGUAGE OF THE STARS

We Americans do like to pause in admiration of  those who are "busy being fabulous", the stars, the celebs, whose stories make them seem larger than life.  Perhaps we are simply in awe of those who gambled and won in the arena of fame.  They are just not like us... or are they?  One thing a number of them do that we can learn to do is  speak French. This page brings us information about French-speaking sports, film, TV, music and other celebrities whose legends and images are familiar to us, many of whom are American, some foreign residents, and some, just plain famous. Some are figures whose fame is derived from great works of art, music, literature, and ground-breaking scientific achievement. We have also incuded a section of television commercials which have been aired on American TV, and where the the French lnguage is often the star. All of them spoke or speak French, and in a number of cases, we present them doing just that through video. The Globe-Gate Project offers a number of activities associated with the material presented through this web site which may be appropriate for your French class.


Groups of famous French speakers:


    Belgian Nobel laureates (most are Francophone)
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Belgian_Nobel_laureates

    Famous French People
    http://www.ezwebsite.org/Page.asp?PID=911

    Personnages Francophones Célèbres
    http://xtec.es/~nlebris/personnages.htm

    "Famous French..." (in French Culture)
    http://french.lovetoknow.com/Category:French_Culture

    Famous French People (Nationmaster Encyclopedia)
    http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Famous-French-People

    Famous People who speak French
    http://www.heritagehawks.org/faculty/abrowning/Famous%20people%20who%20speak%20French.htm

    French Nobel laureates
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:French_Nobel_laureates

    French-Speaking Celebrities (About.com)
    http://french.about.com/od/teachingresources/a/celebrities.htm

    French-Speaking Celebrities (Antimoon Forum)   
    http://www.antimoon.com/forum/t11084.htm

    Inventions of France - French Inventors
    http://inventors.about.com/od/frenchinventors/Inventions_of_France_French_Inventors.htm

    Inventors and Inventions from France
    http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/france.shtml

    French inventors
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:French_inventors

    Belgian inventors
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Belgian_inventors
   
    List of Famous Quebecois
    http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/List-of-famous-Quebecois

    List of French People
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_French_people

    List of Senegalese
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Senegalese

    What do all these celebrities have in common?
    http://www.geocities.com/mmesaam/


Individual film, TV and music celebs:


    Joséphine Baker (American-born French expatriate entertainer and singer) in the film Haïti
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AQYCSIns5g

    Steve Ballmer (chief executive officer of Microsoft) speaking in French
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ppYJxZMoEA

    Jamie [Bamber] speaks French
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5elixboK5Bk

    Christian Bale speaking French...
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtFFspeiUVI

    Sarah Bettens - Elysee Montmartre
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OIp-SPycUY

    Justin Bieber chante en français
    http://www.melty.fr/justin-bieber-chante-en-francais-video-e-actu30093.html

    Orlando Bloom speaks french
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJnrmphAENU

    Vanessa Branch speaking French and Mandarin
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGlNdtK20Yo

    Scrubs - Sarah Chalke speaks French
    http://video.aol.com/video-detail/scrubs-sarah-chalke-speaks-french/1424655792

    Holly Marie Combs [parle français]
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrcMgAGDw5k

    Bradley Cooper parle français!!!(1)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hmeuMSFIVE

    Bradley Cooper parle francais!!!!(2)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2F_VCBLhtk

    Bradley Cooper sur le plateau de TF1
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYwvFU6dcv4

    Marion Cotillard - Oscar for Best Actress - La Vie en Rose (mediated interview)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0pYzCpaZC8

    Inverview with [Constantin] Costa-Gavras, Oscar-winning Greek director
    http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1106965/interview_in_french_with_costa_gavras/

    Tim Curry 1969 interview !! In French !! London Cast of HAIR
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdrc2YT2ByI

    Daneel, Elizabeth, Paul, Hilarie Burton et Joy parlant français (One Tree Hill)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nyd5NqyvxJM

    Johnny Depp's cameo role in French film
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wuMt_3Asqg

    Johnny Depp speaking French (at Ceasars)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc5M3vuSeoM

    La ballade de Lily Rose (song of Vanessa Paradis and Johnny Depp)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqiNMBlRnUY

    Céline Dion ( Let's Talk About Love ) s'il suffisait d'aimer
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzcO4wdWqQ

    HP5 Premiere Tom Felton Speaking French
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N09yQnM3q58

    French Interview w/Jodie Foster-The Brave One(2007)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3TvLSvvKMc

    je t'attends depuis la nuit des temps Jodie Foster
    http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2uql7_jodie-foster-lolita-je-tattends-dep_school

    Carole Fredericks (Springfield, Massachusetts) - Le Prix a Payer
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hoFxZCir9M

    friends speak french
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ewh1dw54v_U

    Joey trying to speak French (on Friends, with Phoebe Buffay and Matt LeBlanc)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqwzvtjeYBQ&NR=1

    Joseph Gordon-Levitt - French Interview
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsJGZ4bKHZA

    Demi Lovato speaks French ! =D
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-gMqMKqado

    Lucas Grabeel speaks French part 1
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzPOhfBH0KY

    Lucas Grabeel speaks French part 2
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNOhcsI4cYM

    Hilary Hahn - Interview in French Part 1
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urxI85qMuX8

    Hilary Hahn - Interview in French Part 2
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sga9Wo6hpeQ

    iron maiden bercy 1er juillet 2008 bruce [Dickenson] parle français
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUNz4vHQx9I

    Mick Jagger [parle français]
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyoorxChOIs

    C'était Toi - Doctor Who (sung by Billy Joel, French & English lyrics)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzU-yPx1x9g

    Eddie Izzard - Learning French
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1sQkEfAdfY

    Hugh Laurie-Dr [H]ouse parle Francais !
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUgPgVB66Zk

    sexy Jared Leto parle francais... a video for french speakers only ;)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2KExda6ymY

    Evangeline Lilly parle Français
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKPonINJm9M

    Chris Martin (Coldplay) Speaking french
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5PMPK-c6AI

    Chris Martin (Coldplay) peaking French (longer than the above)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgtSJsTvKVk

    Jesse McCartney - De toi à moi - Just So You Know [unplugged]
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWhus7NxoSE

    The McDades interview in french
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0dENvTPt1k

    Leighton Meester speaking French!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3C0htVdKUo

    Mika - Interview (French) (MikaObsessed)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMpLs7ZDf68

    Mika - Grace Kelly (french) live HQ
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRY0dDtKb5c

    Wentworth Miller parle Français
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj1_qdfYSvk

    The Miz speaks French  (Mike Mizanin)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEXaFKgbvtU

    One Tree Hill cast speak french
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nyd5NqyvxJM

    Prince William and Kate Middleton's Royal tour of Canada: Duke delivers speech in French [& English]
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs2YfA1D4ns

    Robert Pattinson speaking French for Teemix! Exclusive interview [Twilight star]
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0C14Qv2Zl4

    Monty Python: French lecture on sheep-aircraft
    http://youtube.com/watch?v=8jC7NKkjCe0

    Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Paris Premiere 2 (Daniel Radcliffe)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al8HRRdH9qU

    Natalie Reid Wears Onch Barbie on TMZ speaking French
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYITG5zhVnM

    Zachary Richard (bilingual American poet/song writer) - Au bord du Lac Bijou
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpY-SKIjReI

    Kristin Scott-Thomas, on "Tout le monde en parle..."
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w5a78_gMsE

    Oliver Stone (qui parle français),  Angelina Jolie, Colin Farrell 
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LiFs5ddFBo

    The Catherine Tate Show: Lauren - French Exam
    http://youtube.com/watch?v=zV1zK8zRCPo

    30 Rock: Flu Shot - Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) speaks French
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxO2AGWK5wE

    Tokio Hotel qui parle français
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOvyJRAjfI4

    Ugly Betty - Willy and Marc speak French - 2x18
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sGAJkad7lM

    reynolds and g from Viatrophy (heavy metal band) speaking french
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejvuLJcjTg0

    Emma Watson speaking french
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buwKAaX8ymU



Sports celebs by group:


    French players of American football
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_Gardent

    French National Basketball Association players
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_French_National_Basketball_Association_players

    French baseball players
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:French_baseball_players

    Major League Baseball players from Québec
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_players_from_Qu%C3%A9bec_in_Major_League_Baseball

    French ice hockey players
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:French_ice_hockey_players

    Canadian ice hockey players (many are French speakers)
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Canadian_ice_hockey_players

    Ice hockey players from Québec
    http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Ice_hockey_players_from_Qu%C3%A9bec

    French tennis players
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:French_tennis_players

    French sportspeople
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:French_sportspeople



Individual sports celebs:


    Evan Jayne - French-born, Rodeo-bred (no video)
    http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Sports/rodeo--in-america

    Entretien avec Nikola Karabatic (handball)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR7_XUDai88

    Entrevue avec Kristopher Letang (Pittsburgh Penguins)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdnlA06FjQY

    Interview d'Ian Mahinmi (NBA Basketball, San Antonio Spurs)
    http://www.kewego.co.uk/video/iLyROoaft3rq.html

    Interview Joakim Noah (NBA Chicago Bulls)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reompMUIjA8

    Tony Parker - Clip Balance Toi (Hip-Hop)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-12GdBEY9A

    Interview de Tony Parker (NBA Basketball, San Antonio Spurs)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy6AGmTUrGU

    Cristiano Ronaldo parle français
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDIE00nfXUI

    Jonathan Toews Feature (Chicago Blackhawks, ice hockey)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRxrvTexb3E

    Jacques Villeneuve - Accepterais Tu? (song by formula 1 racer)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4WiJeG_PBo

    Ski : Entretien avec Tessa Worley
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tmBWM31UNU


French in TV Commercials aired in the US.


    California Cheese cows (partly in French) - Superbowl ad)
    http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d806739ee/SB-XLII-ad-California-Cheese-cows

    2008 Mitsubishi Outlander Commercial (with a French song)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoVmtdiFp5c

    Garmin 2008 60 second Super Bowl Commercial
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16aUPT9LEms

    SPDR Commercial with Dogs
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asWxVzUQc0w

    Creaminal synchronise "In The Mood For L'Amour" de Claire Denamur sur le film "Rexona / Degree" (bottom of page).
    http://www.creaminal.com/

    Google Superbowl ad: "Parisian Love" (considered to be among the top 10)
    http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10448803-36.html

    iPod Shuffle ad (Les Prototypes)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmmnIY_ToeM

    Parlez-vous Désir? (Lexus Ad Campaign for Launch of SC 430)
    http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=48760

    Wheat Ridge Cyclery "French Cafe" Commercial
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXgOu9yhnCk

    Kohler - Existential Dilemma commercial
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HK5AI6Lt_o

    epuron - the power of wind (French company, French accent in English)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IjUkNmUcHc

    Spot TV France - Thibault et Windows 7 (shown in the US)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkTzvA9EiRQ

    Spot TV France - Nelly et Windows 7
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jawe5jo1dQ&NR=1

    YSL Parisienne Fragrance Ad With Kate Moss
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9mCt7BHvqQ

    Levis 501 Jeans - French Dictionary
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkmZVcgHDRs


    Wheat Ridge Cyclery "Allez Allez" Commercial (some words at end)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaolxjcolBQ&feature=related


Others speaking French in the spotlight of fame:


    Libération d'Ingrid Bétancourt: Premier mots
    http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5zyc3_liberation-dingrid-betancourt-premi_news

    Tony Blair parle francais- Blair 's good french accent
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrw5YgWC0rs

    The Da Vinci Code: Speaking French
    http://video.yahoo.com/watch/8056/1181269

    Howard Dean [and Fox newscaster, Steve Brown] speak French
    http://hotair.com/archives/2006/12/01/video-dean-bashes-fox-news-in-canada-reporter-responds-in-french/

    Hakuna Matata [in French]
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slP4oNsJsHs

    Jack Kerouac interview in French with English subtitles
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r2aOSoRsoE

    2008 Mitsubishi Outlander Commercial (with a French song)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoVmtdiFp5c

    Ratatouille French
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_lhAUVSjsw

    Jade Raymond (Gamer-side Diaries) - The Sims, Assassin's Creed, etc.
    http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/71698.html

    Mitt Romney speaks French
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyP2M0DTch8

    WMPG Jacques Santucci has TF1 French TV visit A La Vôtre (radio station in Maine)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONsd04Lpqc0



TennesseeBob Peckham: bobp@utm.edu
The Globe-Gate Project
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University of Tennessee at Martin


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