November 2002

Michael Vartan: The Golden Nephew

At last, he finds success with Alias - the espionage TV show broadcasted by M6 - in which he plays the part of a CIA agent. However the nonchalant nephew of Sylvie Vartan - who is more a fan of hockey than he is a fan of acting - took almost 10 years to find his path.

Michael was born in 1968 from a French father (Sylvie's brother) and an American mother. He grew up in Fleury, a small village in Normandie, where his life wasn't really going anywhere. He left school at sixteen and then France at eighteen. With his mum's help, he settled in Los Angeles and took acting classes. In 1998, He was working on a succession of small independent movies and TV shows (AllyMcBeal, Friends) when Drew Barrymore "fell" for him and put him in the role of her love interest in Never Been Kissed. He hasn't won the lottery yet, but Michael risked refusing a role in Scream 3 to accept Alias a year later. Bingo!

This year he will find himself in the thriller One Hour Photo. Acting with Robin Williams, Connie Nielsen and Eric La Salle (ER), Michael sparkles. It looks like he has his heart is in his work now!

Thanks to Marie-Pierre, Severine for translating, and Lori at vartanetc.!

© Gala Magazine (France) 2002

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