After yet another terror attack, President Francois Hollande of France has extended his nation's State of Emergency.
More than 80 people have been killed in Nice after a truck barreled through a crowd celebrating Bastille Day (France's version of the 4th of July). Some 50+ are still in critical condition.
What a waste of human life, and all for some individual's unknown cause.
I won't give credibility to the perpetrator by mentioning his name or by showing images or footage of what he did. Instead, I simply ask you to have France and the victims in your thoughts.
It is important that we are united against terror and stand with the countless other countries and people's lives that have been torn apart in the name of terror.
France has brought the world many fine things. They are known for their food, their architecture, their art and music, and not least their film making.
France and francophones have produced amazing movies, and they have also—whether knowingly or not—set the stage for success in the US film industry as well.
There are many famous actors who, I bet you didn't know, have French ancestry! Without la République Française, we wouldn't be enjoying some of our biggest names on the silver screen.
Please put your bagels and coffees down for a minute to revel in the brilliance that France has helped to create over the years.
1. Alec Baldwin
Whose mother has French-Canadian ancestry.
Alec Baldwin taught us one of the most valuable ABC lessons in real estate: Always Be Closing!
Check out this snippet of Baldwin's ruthless performance.
2. Jim Carrey
Whose father hails from French-Canadian ancestry.
Fun fact, Carrey's surname is an Anglicization of Carré!
Carrey, now 54, has entertained us over the course of 41 feature films. His over the top humor and performances have been lasting hallmarks in "Batman Forever," "Ace Ventura," "Dumb and Dumber," "The Truman Show" and "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
3. Willem Dafoe
Whose father is of French descent.
This versatile actor has played many roles from that of a Marvel villain ("Spiderman") to a soldier in Vietnam ("Platoon") to a cop in New York ("Inside Man") to Jesus Christ himself ("The Last Temptation of Christ").
His distinctive face is instantly recognizable, isn't it?
4. Robert De Niro
Whose mother has distant French ancestors.
Two-time Academy Award winner and one of the most acclaimed actors of all time, De Niro has sucked us into every performance he's ever played.
As the troubled Travis Bickle from Martin Scorsese's "Taxi Driver," De Niro forever etched this mirror scene in our memories.
5. Zooey Deschanel
She is of partial French descent.
This 36-year-old actress from Los Angeles, California is not only a star on screen (both big and small), she is also a Grammy winner!
Known for movies including "Elf," "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," "500 Days of Summer" and the hit TV show "New Girl," Deschanel owes some of her particular genes to whoever was French in her family tree.
6. Robert Duvall
Who descends from distant paternal French relations.
Like De Niro, Robert Duvall is one of the best male American actors the world will ever see.
He is most notable for "The Godfather," in which he plays Tom Hagen, and other movies including "To Kill a Mockingbird," "MASH," "The Conversation," "Network" and "Apocalypse Now," in which he plays the man who says the quote that we've all heard of:
"I love the smell of napalm in the morning."
7. Anne Hathaway
Whose ancestors are from Irish and French descent.
If Anne Hathaway wasn't around, then who would have given us this emotional rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from the hit musical "Les Miserables"?
Who would Christopher Nolan have chosen for Dr. Brand in "Interstellar" or Catwoman in "The Dark Knight Rises"?
8. Shia LaBeouf
Whose father is Cajun (French Canadian).
Can you believe he's 30? Those of us old enough remember him as a kid in "Even Stevens," "Holes," "I Robot" and "Disturbia."
We aren't sure exactly when he changed strange, but I think it may have something to do with starring in a Michael Bay movie.
This video below, I think, speaks for itself. It would not be around if not for having French ancestry to make Shia the troubled, hilarious, gone-off-the-deep-end guy that is today.
9. Matt LeBlanc
Whose father is of French-Canadian heritage.
We enjoyed his most notable performance as Joey in "Friends" for 10 years. The quick talking, single, unfortunately-never-got-a-girl Joey Tribbiani starred in 236 episodes of "Friends."
It would definitely not have been the same without him.
10. Wentworth Miller
Whose mother is of distant French heritage.
Most well known for the role of Michael Scofield in the phenomenal TV drama series "Prison Break," Wentworth Miller may be able to produce an American accent and may have been born in Chipping Norton, England, but he wouldn't be the brooding hero we all love if it weren't for the French genes in him.
Aren't we so excited for "Prison Break" to be coming back? I thought for sure Michael was dead and not coming back. But somehow, he's landed himself in yet another jail.
Of course, there are also French actors that we all know and love.
11. Jean Reno
French national born in Casablanca, Morocco, of Spanish descent.
Did you know his real name is Juan Moreno y Herrera-Jiménez?
Jean Reno fought his way through serving in the French Army to become a French citizen, and, as it turns out to be, a much loved actor. Known for roles, among us, including Captain Bezu Fache in "The Da Vinci Code" and Leon in "Leon." He even served as the voice of Musafa in the French dub of "The Lion King." He also turned down the role of Agent Smith in "The Matrix."
12. Vincent Cassel
A Parisian, born and raised.
Keep an eye out for these fame-worthy performers in up coming movies. And if some of these movies I've mentioned aren't already on your list of what to watch, add them quick!
