Jean Reno, the actor of Big Blue and of Leonpublishes his first spy novel on May 16 Emma, published by XO. For the occasion, he granted an interview to our colleagues from Paris Match. He hosted the magazine in his apartment in Greenwich Village, a very popular and mainly residential area of New York. “He lives surrounded by photos of everyone who matters to him. Starting with his wife Zofia, former model, ex-muse of Ralph Lauren“, we learn.
There is also his own portrait, as well as, “in a frame on a shelf“, a cliché on which “we recognize Jean with his friends: Luc Besson, of course, but also Dustin Hoffman, Steve Martin, and especially Johnny, present everywhere“. And when our colleagues asked him if he had many friends in New York, he replied: “A lot, no. But there are people I get along well with. French people, like Marc Lévy (…) and Americans like Robert de Niro, who doesn’t live far away.“
Regarding his relationship with the star of Taxi Driverit develops : “He is an acquaintance that I would describe as strong. I say that you should not meet your idols: you are often disappointed. But Robert is one of those rare legends who deserve to be known, he is someone very profound.“Another question we ask ourselves: why New York?”Because that’s where I met Zofia (with whom he has two children: Cielo born in 2009, and Dean born in 2011, editor’s note). So we stayed here, without asking any questions.“
Jean Reno and his attachment to France
Jean Reno lived on the other side of the country, but doesn’t have very good memories of it: “New York is an easy city that I prefer to Los Angeles, where I lived for six months while filming Godzilla. I suffered a lot from loneliness there. In America, if you talk about opening a candy store, everyone will think it’s a great idea. In France, people will look at you like you’re crazy.“Besides, he doesn’t miss France.
And he explains why: “Because I go there whenever I want. As for Paris, I don’t like it at all anymore. It’s confusing, chaotic, violent, I’m no longer comfortable there, and many friends of my generation think the same. But the South is great. Daniel Auteuil is very close to my house. Didier Flamand is in Arles.“Rare confidences!
