Gilles Marini
A French actor whose charisma and charm, showcased in a steamy 'Sex and the City' scene, launched him into American television and reality show fame.
Born 1976 (age 50)·French actor·Birthday: January 26·Generation X
Biography
Gilles Marini arrived in Hollywood as the embodiment of a certain European fantasy, but he quickly proved he was more than just a handsome face. Born in Grasse, he moved to the United States and landed a small but unforgettable role as the neighbor Dante in the 'Sex and the City' movie, a part that instantly made him a subject of conversation. He leveraged that attention into a series of television roles, often playing suave or romantic figures on shows like 'Brothers & Sisters' and 'Switched at Birth.' His genuine personality shone through on 'Dancing with the Stars,' where he finished as runner-up and won over audiences with his dedication and joyful performances. Marini has consistently worked to translate his early pin-up status into a durable career as a relatable and versatile performer.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Gilles was born in 1976, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Gilles Was Born
The biggest hits of 1976
#1 Movie
Rocky
Best Picture
Rocky
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Gilles's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1976Born
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1981Started school
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1989Became a teenager
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Could drive
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1994Could vote
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Turned 21
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2006Turned 30
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2016Turned 40
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 50
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Gained widespread recognition for his role as Dante in the 2008 film 'Sex and the City'.
- Finished as runner-up on the eighth season of 'Dancing with the Stars' in the United States.
- Played a recurring role as French chef Olivier on the ABC family drama 'Brothers & Sisters'.
- Starred as Sebastien Dussault in the Freeform series 'Switched at Birth'.
Did You Know?
He is a trained firefighter and served in the French military.
He and his wife have two children, and the family appeared together on an episode of 'House Hunters International'.
He was a co-host for the French version of the Netflix competition show 'Ultimate Beastmaster'.
“You have to be ready when the opportunity comes, and you better be prepared.”
