Dany Boon Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Parents, Height, Movies & TV Shows

Daniel Farid Hamidou also known as Dany Boon is a highly successful French actor, comedian, film director, screenwriter, and producer celebrated for his sharp wit, regional humor, and massive box-office hits.

He rose to international fame with the record-breaking comedy Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis (Welcome to the Sticks), becoming one of Europe’s highest-paid actors and a beloved figure in French cinema for blending comedy with heartfelt storytelling.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Daniel Farid Hamidou
• Stage Name: Dany Boon
• Born: June 26, 1966
• Age: 59 years old
• Birthplace: Armentières, Nord, France
• Nationality: French
• Ethnicity: French (maternal) and Algerian Kabyle (paternal)
• Occupation: Actor, Comedian, Director, Screenwriter, Producer
• Height: 5′ 10″ (178 cm)
• Religion: Judaism
• Parents: Ahmed Hamidou and Danièle Ducatel
• Siblings: Alexis Hamidou, Philippe Hamidou
• Spouse: Clara Vello (2025)
• Children: Mehdi Boon, Noé Boon, Eytan Boon, Elia Boon, Sarah Boon
• Relationship: Dating
• Net Worth: $80 million USD

Early Life and Education

Dany Boon was born on June 26, 1966, in Armentières, Nord, France, to parents Ahmed Hamidou (an Algerian Kabyle Muslim boxer and chauffeur from Issers, Algeria, who died in 1992) and Danièle Ducatel (a French Catholic stay-at-home mother from northern France). He grew up having two siblings, Alexis Hamidou and Philippe Hamidou.

He was raised in a modest middle-class family in the Ch’ti (northern French) region. Before pursuing comedy, he studied graphic arts at the Institut Saint-Luc in Belgium. His ethnicity is French and Algerian Kabyle, and his religion is Judaism (he converted in 2002 to his then-wife’s faith).

Career

Dany Boon began performing in the early 1990s with one-man shows and transitioned to film and television. He gained early recognition in Joyeux Noël (2005) and The Valet (2006). His breakthrough as director, screenwriter, and star came with Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis (2008), which became the highest-grossing French film of all time, earning him record fees and the first César du Public award.

He has written and directed hits including Nothing to Declare (2010), Supercondriaque (2014), Raid dingue (2017), La Ch’tite famille (2018), Stuck Together (2021), and Life for Real (2023). As an actor, notable roles include Murder Mystery (2019) and numerous French comedies.

He served as president of the 40th César Awards in 2015 and has produced several projects through his companies. Known as the “Midas of comedy,” Boon continues creating successful films that celebrate northern French culture while appealing to broad audiences.

Awards and Nominations

Dany Boon has received 6 wins and 10 nominations, including the César du Public (2018) for Raid dingue.

Social Media

• Dany Boon does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

Dany Boon, 59 years old and 5′ 10″ tall, has five children — Mehdi (born 1997), Noé (born 1999), Eytan (born 2005), Elia (born 2006), and Sarah (born 2010) — from three previous marriages, including to actress Judith Godrèche and producer Yaël Harris (from whom he separated around 2018).

He is currently dating make-up artist Clara Vello since early 2025. He keeps much of his personal life private while prioritizing time with his children, often splitting time between France and Los Angeles.

Net Worth

Dany Boon‘s net worth is estimated at $80 million USD. His income primarily comes from acting, directing, and screenwriting fees in major French comedies (including record €26 million for one project), box-office success of his films, producing ventures, and international roles in projects like Murder Mystery.

Filmography

• Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis (Welcome to the Sticks, 2008)
• Joyeux Noël (2005)
• Raid dingue (2017)
• La Ch’tite famille (2018)
• Supercondriaque (2014)
• Nothing to Declare (2010)
• Stuck Together (2021)
• Life for Real (2023)
• Murder Mystery (2019)
• The Valet (2006)