Arnold Schwarzenegger
- English & German
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the iconic action star, is not only known for his impressive physique but also his multilingual abilities. Fun fact #1: He wanted to dub his own voice for the German versions of the Terminator films, but the film studio decided to use a German voice actor. Fun fact #2: In the Spanish dubbed version of Terminator 2, the famous catchphrase "Hasta la vista, baby" was changed to "Sayonara baby," while Latin America kept it as "Hasta la vista."
Audrey Hepburn
- Spanish, French, Dutch/Flemish, Italian
Audrey Hepburn, not just a famous beauty and style icon, but also a polyglot. She had a talent for languages and could speak Spanish, French, Dutch/Flemish, and Italian fluently.
Cesc Fabregas
- English, Spanish, Catalan, French
Cesc Fabregas, the former captain of Arsenal and a multilingual footballer, has contributed to the "Double Club" language project. This initiative encourages local school children to learn languages. Fabregas even gives Spanish lessons on the accompanying DVD series.
Clint Eastwood
- English & Italian
Clint Eastwood, the legendary actor and director, has a passion for languages as well. In Italian, his famous line "Go ahead, make my day" translates to "Coraggio, fatti ammazzare."
Daniel Brühl
- German, Spanish, Catalan, English, French
Daniel Brühl, a renowned actor known for his versatile performances, has an impressive language repertoire. Born in Barcelona to a Catalan mother and a German father, Brühl grew up in Cologne. As a result, he is fluent in German, Spanish, Catalan, French, and English.
David Beckham
- English & Spanish (just about)
David Beckham, the former football superstar, may not be the most fluent Spanish speaker, but he has made an effort to learn the language. His determination and perseverance are admirable.
Gary Lineker
- English, Spanish, and some Japanese
Gary Lineker, the ex-footballer and television presenter, embraced language learning during his playing career. He and his wife learned Spanish and Japanese while he played for Barcelona and Nagoya. Lineker emphasizes the importance of modern languages in preparing for a globalized world.
Johnny Depp
- English & French
Johnny Depp, the talented actor, can speak decent French. Being married to French singer and actress Vanessa Paradis and residing in France, Depp has had plenty of opportunities to practice. However, his bilingual daughter often corrects him!
Morgan Freeman
- English & French
Morgan Freeman, the legendary actor with a captivating voice, impressed the crowd on the set of the movie "The Sum of All Fears" by delivering a speech in French. His dedication to learning languages is commendable.
Roger Federer
- English, German & French
Roger Federer, the Swiss tennis maestro, is not only a master on the court but also a skilled linguist. With German as his mother tongue and English as his second language, Federer is also fluent in French. His language skills are as impressive as his tennis skills.
Sandra Bullock
- English & German
Sandra Bullock, the renowned American actress, spent a significant part of her childhood in Germany and German-speaking Europe. As a result, she is fluent in German. Her language abilities add to her versatility as an actress.
Tony Blair
- English & French
Tony Blair, the former British Prime Minister, had the opportunity to learn French while working at a Paris bar during his gap year. He is the only recent British Prime Minister who gives interviews in French. However, he does have the occasional humorous language slip-up.
These celebrities prove that learning multiple languages can open doors to new experiences, cultural understanding, and professional opportunities. Their language skills showcase their dedication and commitment to broadening their horizons. So, if you've ever considered learning a new language, take inspiration from these multilingual stars!
Images courtesy of tzm.vn.
