Biography
Zinedine Soualem is a French actor of Algerian origin. He was born on 17 April 1957 in Thiers, Puy-de-Dôme. He began as a street mime in 1976 and worked in that capacity for seven years before moving into theatre in 1983, appearing in Jean Genet’s The Screens directed by Patrice Chéreau and later performing with Ariane Mnouchkine’s company.
Soualem has appeared in numerous films, often in supporting roles. He has worked repeatedly with director Cédric Klapisch, including in When the Cat’s Away (1996), The Spanish Apartment (2002), Russian Dolls (2005) and Chinese Puzzle (2013). Other notable credits include La Haine (1995), Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (2002), The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007), Welcome to the Sticks (2008) and September 5 (2024), in which he played Jacques Lesgards.
He was married to actress Hiam Abbass; they have two daughters, actresses Lina and Mouna Soualem. He has been in a relationship with artist Caroline Faindt since 2014.
