- He first gained critical acclaim in Luc Besson's Le Dernier Combat in the decidedly supporting role of a swordsman, and went on to collaborate with Besson in several subsequent films.
- He joined a travelling theatre company and performed all over France, making the jump to movie acting with Costa Gavras' CLAIRE DE FEMME in 1979.
- His character in ROLLERBALL (2002) introduces a man named Enzo Molinari, which is the name of the character he played in LE GRAND BLEU (1988).
- It looks like Jean Reno wears the same case in LEON as he did in NIKITA (1990) when he played the character Victor the Cleaner. Like Victor, he also wears sunglasses.
- Plays an Italian-American in LÉON (1994).
- The coat worn by Jean Reno is the same coat he wore playing Victor in NIKITA (1990). Luc Besson has stated that the Leon character and Victor character in NIKITA (1990) are actually cousins.
- Reno is pronounced Ruh-No
- His parents were born in Sanlucar de Barrameda, Cadiz (Spain) and they left Casablanca to go to France when Jean was 12 years old.
- Lives in Paris with his two children and his girlfriend, a model.
- Turned down the role of Agent Smith in THE MATRIX (1999) to do GODZILA (1998)
- Has twice played characters whose occupation of cleaner did not involve a mop - psychotic Victor the Cleaner (Victor nettoyeur) in NIKITA (1990), and the calm assassin Léon in LEON (1994) (also known as The Cleaner).
- Had a role in every play of stage director Didier Flamand from 1977 to 1981, and then had the lead role in Flamand's first short movie LA VIS (1993).
- Considered a sex symbol in France because he believes that women there have the feeling that he looks like a responsible man.
- Known for his trademark four-day growth of stubble, oblong face and mournful, magnetic eyes.
- Has done work as a truck driver, accountant and photo shop clerk.
- Speaks Spanish, English, French and Italian.
- Dislikes the American star system.
- Has done some live theatre, about 9 shows since 1977.
Quotes- "I won't do anything that offends my moral sense. I prefer making love with gestures, rather than taking my clothes off and getting into bed with a woman. I'd hate to have my children see that."
Awards- European Film Awards: Outstanding European Achievement in World Cinema (2000)
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