cotillard was born in paris, france on september 30, 1975 to jean claude-cotillard who is an actor, former mime, and a molière award-winning director. cotillard's mother monique (known as niseema) theillaud, is also an actress and a drama teacher. she has two younger twin brothers, quentin and guillaume. guillaume is a screenwriter and director. she began acting during her childhood, appearing on stage for her father's plays.