Jamel Debbouze

Jamel Debbouze (born 18 June 1975) is a Moroccan-French actor, comedian, screenwriter, film producer, and director. Best known for his stand-up comedy sketches, he has also worked with director Alain Chabat and alongside notable French comedians such as Florence Foresti, Elie Semoun, and Gad Elmaleh. He has starred in box-office successes including Amelie (2001), Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (2002), Days of Glory (2006), and Houba! On the Trail of the Marsupilami (2012). He is the producer and presenter of the Canal+ television show Jamel Comedy Club (2006-present).

Debbouze was born in Paris; his family, from Taza, moved back to Morocco and then returned to settle in Trappes in 1983. In January 1990, at the Trappes railway station, he was hit by a train and lost the use of his right arm. In 1995, he was spotted by the bosses of Radio Nova, who made him famous, and he debuted with a film review show, Le Cinema de Jamel, which he took to Canal+ in 1998. On the same channel he contributed to the sitcom H, alongside Eric Judor and Ramzy Bedia, achieving national fame.

In 2006, Debbouze co-produced and acted in the historical film Days of Glory, a tribute to North African soldiers who fought for France, winning the prize for best male actor at the 59th Cannes Film Festival with his co-stars. In April 2008, he opened Le Comedy Club in Paris to launch newcomers on the stand-up scene. He married French journalist Melissa Theuriau in 2008, with whom he had two children, and chaired the 2013 Cesar Awards. He has received the rank of Officer of Arts and Letters.