Malik Zidi, a talented individual with a rich background, was born in Châtenay-Malabry to a Kabyle Algerian father and a Breton mother. He spent his formative years in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, a suburb of Paris, where he was exposed to a unique blend of cultures.
Abandoning his conventional studies, Zidi dedicated himself to a career in comedy, which led him to enroll in courses at the Théâtre Véronique Nordey, Théâtre de Proposition, and Studio Pygmalion. He also briefly studied acrobatics and mime at the Théâtre de la Piscine.
Zidi made his film debut in 1998, appearing in Sébastien Lifshitz-directed Les Corps ouverts. This was followed by his breakout role in François Ozon's Water Drops on Burning Rocks, a four-part comedy-drama that earned him his first César Award nomination.
In 2002, Zidi starred in Antoine Santana's Un moment de bonheur, earning his second César Award nomination for Most Promising Actor. He continued to impress audiences with his performances, including his role in André Téchiné's Les Temps qui changent, which earned him his third César Award nomination.
Zidi's versatility as an actor was showcased in his role in Emmanuel Bourdieu's Les Amitiés maléfiques, a drama that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and won several awards. His performance earned him his fourth César Award nomination and the award for Most Promising Actor in 2007.
In addition to his film work, Zidi has also appeared in numerous television roles and has written his first novel, L'ombre du soir, which was published in 2020 by Éditions Anne Carrière.
