At 46 years old, Omar Sy is now an international star with more than 40 films to his name. Revealed in 2011 in The Intouchables, he later moved to Los Angeles with his family. There, he landed several roles in American blockbusters. He makes us laugh and moves us in all his films. In April 2024, he published his first autobiographical book, earning a place in the ranking of the French’s favorite personalities. Let’s look back at his phenomenal journey.
Childhood in Trappes
Omar Sy was born on January 20, 1978, in Trappes, Yvelines. He is the fourth of eight children. His mother, Mauritanian, was a housekeeper, and his father, Senegalese and of Peul origin, was a worker in the automotive sector. His father arrived in France in 1962 and met his wife there in 1974.
The family settled in Trappes, where Omar grew up and met Jamel Debbouze, who lived in the same neighborhood. Initially, the comedian was friends with Omar’s older brother. Over the years, the two men became inseparable, considering each other as "brothers."
Humorous Beginnings
It was Jamel who offered him an opportunity by getting him into Radio Nova. Omar worked there after school for two years. At that time, the young man was preparing for a vocational high school diploma in heating and air conditioning.
It was also during this period that he met his future partner Fred Testot. Together, they created Omar and Fred, a comedy sketch show aired on Canal+. The show quickly gained popularity thanks to their offbeat humor and natural chemistry. At 20, Omar Sy discovered that making people laugh could be a profession. He persisted despite his parents’ disapproval of his new aspirations.
The Birth of a Star
Omar wanted to become an actor, but his beginnings in cinema were slow. In 2002, he landed a role in the film The Race, followed by two small comedies: Le Boulet and Samurai. In 2003, he appeared in La Beuze alongside Vincent Desagnat. In 2006, he got his first major role in Those Happy Days, a real success. In 2008, he reunited with Fred and the comedy duo Éric and Ramzy for Seuls Two. In 2009, he played in the comedy Tellement proches, where he portrayed a young doctor facing racism. In July 2011, he appeared in Les Tuche, a box office hit.
An International Career
Buoyed by this success, Omar Sy launched an international career. He sees his life as a gift that has changed his and his family’s daily life. He decided to move to Los Angeles with his family. There, he attended numerous auditions and took intensive English classes. He landed roles in Hollywood productions like X-Men: Days of Future Past, Jurassic World, and Inferno. In 2014, he appeared alongside James Franco and Kate Hudson in the film Good People.
At the end of 2014, Omar returned to France to promote the dramatic comedy Samba, in which he starred. In 2021, he took the lead role in the Netflix series Lupin, where he played Assane Diop, a gentleman thief inspired by the famous character Arsène Lupin. The series was acclaimed worldwide, further solidifying Omar Sy’s reputation as an international star.
Beyond Cinema
Omar Sy is recognized for his versatility, charisma, and ability to bring a special depth to his characters. Outside of his career, he is involved in several charitable organizations and advocates for diversity in cinema. On a personal level, Omar Sy has been married to Hélène Sy since 2007, with whom he has five children: three daughters and two sons.
The family moved to the United States in the mid-2010s, allowing Omar to juggle his projects in Europe and the United States. Hélène Sy divides her time between their five children and her charitable work. She is the founder of the association CéKeDuBonheur, which helps hospitalized children.
Despite his international success, Omar Sy remains an iconic figure in French cinema. He continues to be an influential voice on social and cultural issues. He embodies a model of authentic and benevolent success.