At the age of 17, Reno and his family moved toFrance, where he studied acting at theCours Simon School of Drama in Paris.[4] Reno also served in theFrench Army, as his military service became mandatory once his family had gained French citizenship.
Reno learned Spanish from his parents, Arabic and French growing up in Morocco, and Italian from studying it as a special interest and acting in Italian films.[5]
After he started to get acting jobs in France, Juan adopted the French version of his name, Jean, and shortened his surname to Reno. Due to his large frame (1.88 m or 6 ft 2 in), Reno was called on to play "heavies" in his early career. He later appeared in romantic comedies and action films. He began his film career in France, appearing in many films by directorLuc Besson, including his earlyLe Dernier Combat (1983). The two have continued to work together, collaborating in films produced, written, or directed by Besson. Of their joint work, those that have achieved the most critical and commercial success include:La Femme Nikita (1990), and the English-language filmsThe Big Blue (1988) andLéon: The Professional (1994).
In other media, Reno was involved in the production of the third installment in the popularCapcom seriesOnimusha (Onimusha 3: Demon Siege), lending his likeness to the protagonist Jacques Blanc, as well as providing the voice for the character's French dialogue. In advertising work, Reno has appeared in American television commercials forUPS and portrayedDoraemon in a series ofToyota ads in Japan, as part of the "ReBorn" campaign.[6] He also starred asJo in the 2013 English-language TV seriesJo.
Reno married his first wife, Geneviève, in 1977; they divorced in 1988. Reno married his second wife, Polish model Nathalie Dyszkiewicz, in 1995. They divorced in 2001. On 29 July 2006, Reno married for the third time, to a British model and actress of Polish descent, Zofia Borucka, at theLes Baux-de-Provence city hall.[8] The presidential candidateNicolas Sarkozy served as his best man (Reno endorsed Sarkozy for the2007 French presidential election).[9][10] Reno has six children, two from each marriage.[11]
Reno maintains three homes in Paris, Malaysia, and Los Angeles.[12] He is a dual citizen of France and Spain.[13] In a 2016 interview, Reno stated "his roots are above all Spanish, Andalusian."[13]
