Cyril Raffaelli

Cyril Raffaelli, also Cyril Raffaelli Cuenel, (born 1 April 1974) is a French traceur, martial artist, stuntman and actor. He became famous by the movie Ghettogangz - Hell before Paris, in which he plays the lead role alongside David Belle. He's gone through films such as The Transporter to a well-known martial arts choreographer.

Life

Influenced by his two brothers, Raffaelli began taking interest in the age of six for the martial arts. He began with the Nunchaku and then learned the Shotokan - ryū in a karate club. At this time Cyril also took part in several track and field championships. Finally, he was enthusiastic about the films of Jackie Chan, which fueled his desire to play in films.

At the age of 14 Raffaelli joined the circus school of Annie Fratellini, where he met Vincent Cassel. There he earned his acrobatic skills. Then he accompanied the troops of the families Bouglione, Zavatta and Fratellini. In 1991, Raffaelli was asked to participate in a choreography for an interpretation of the play The Rare; thus he was discovered for television. He also participated in several shows and commercial shoots or dance performances in some operas.

In 1993 he was at the casting of the new version of Star Mania, which was directed by Lewis Furey. He got the role of the Étoile Noire for four years. His sporting career he continued until 1999, with some recovery of international titles, including in the martial arts wushu.

Film career

In 1996, Raffaelli his first appearance as a stuntman in a film by Gérard Jugnot. He then worked in numerous productions, where he could share his experience, his acrobatic skills and his sense of productions choreographed by fight scenes and stunts.

His meeting with Luc Besson in 1999 on the set to Jeanne d' Arc was a crucial event; since Raffaelli has been involved in many action films, which were produced by EuropaCorp. He had in 2001 in Kiss of the Dragon His first major role.

Filmography

2012: Red Dawn