In the 1980s and 1990s, Christopher Lambert could be described as one of the screen celebrities due to the number of successful appearances he managed to make during this time span. Originally named Christophe Guy Denis Lambert, the French-American actor had a career in films in both European dramatic tradition and Hollywood action and fantasy genres.

Biography, childhood, and first roles

Born on the 29th of March, 1957, in Great Neck, New York, but having lived primarily in Switzerland and France for most of his childhood, Christopher Lambert gained his recognition on screen through a number of versatile roles. He had a unique ability to perform roles combining intense, mysterious and rather detached personality types, making him suitable for roles with a certain detachment.

Many people remember Christopher Lambert in his roles as Tarzan in Greystoke, Connor MacLeod in Highlander, and Raiden in Mortal Kombat. Yet, his filmography is much wider. As for his personal life, it was influenced quite significantly by a multi-continental upbringing that allowed him to act in French and American productions.

Lambert did not start his career the conventional way, spending much time on TV and training at a famous art school prior to gaining recognition on screen. Instead, his entry into movies made a quick impact on his visibility in the movie community worldwide.

Firstly, Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984), in which Christopher was a leading character, became the role that brought him recognition as an actor on the international scene. In particular, the role was significant for Lambert as being one of the first lead actor roles he played that required high physical efforts, drama, and intense performance from the beginning of his career. Secondly, when returning to the French film scene, Lambert appeared in Subway (1985). It was important as it demonstrated his capacity for more complex and dramatic roles other than those he previously performed. The role allowed Lambert to obtain a César Award for Best Actor.

Defining films

There is a small number of movies which are of primary importance to understand why Christopher Lambert is known as an actor to many generations of fans all over the world, including the following titles:

  • Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes – Lambert's breakout film (1984)
  • Subway, which resulted in a César Award for Best Actor for Lambert in 1986
  • Highlander, which created his cult image in the eyes of movie viewers
  • Mortal Kombat – his participation (1995)

Breakthrough and cult status

Having received international fame and a great award from France, the third movie in the above-presented list became especially significant for Christopher Lambert. As Connor MacLeod, the immortal swordsman, Lambert appeared as a lead male character in the fantasy story, making it an iconic and cult movie for many generations to come. In such a way Lambert created his image of a perfect swordsman for which he will always remain famous despite changing his acting style in the course of his career.

Additionally, the mentioned role turned out to become one of those that Lambert was often invited to play again during further movies. Namely, the role allowed him to take the role of Connor MacLeod in two following sequels – Highlander II: The Quickening and Highlander III: The Sorcerer, released in 1991 and 1994 respectively. In that way Christopher Lambert created another image that he is well known for, namely being a swordsman that cannot age, die, or lose battles.

During the same period Christopher Lambert managed to create his career in tense thrillers with slightly unbalanced leading characters. Among others, it was done thanks to his participation in the movie adaptation of Mario Puzo's novel entitled The Sicilian as well as in such films as Fortress and Knight Moves – films in which he appeared in 1992 and demonstrated his talent as a thriller actor without using action scenes. Although the above-listed movies might not have had the same international impact as the movies discussed above, these nevertheless increased the credibility of Christopher Lambert's acting career.

Later career and popularity

Christopher Lambert continued his career in both European and international films, the combination of which perfectly suits his style of performing roles. The actor never tended to specialize only in one type of acting, although he managed to become recognized as an actor specializing in tense, unbalanced characters with a mysterious aura, which made him a good performer in action movies, thrillers and period movies and also gave Lambert the opportunity to demonstrate his skills in dramatic movies with a dark atmosphere.

One of the most widely known roles he took on at a later stage of his career was Raiden (the thunder god), who helps the movie's characters throughout the whole movie in Mortal Kombat, the movie based upon a popular video game. In this way, it became another title adding to the actor's career, helping him connect with a younger audience that knew Lambert mostly from the films mentioned above.

Nevertheless, Lambert was also known for appearing in French movies where his name carried certain prestige due to him having proven that he could also act in French films, obtaining awards in doing so. Namely, the fact that Christopher was not just a leading actor in action movies, but also a critically acclaimed movie actor, allowed the actor to develop his career so well. Therefore, Lambert managed to be linked to various eras and movie genres at once: fantasy movies of the 1980s, crime dramas of France, action movies of the 1990s and general cult movies.

Conclusion

Therefore, what really made Lambert so noticeable is not only his famous role list. What made him stand out was the manner of performing these roles. Firstly, unlike some stars, the actor usually refused to rely on special effects. Instead, Lambert projected the atmosphere of tension, reserve and even mythological silence that fitted extremely well the images of outsider characters, warriors and even antiheroes, thus building Lambert's career upon such roles. This is why he is still remembered as an example of a good performer by many fans who like actors having their distinctive images on screen.