Netflix star Lucien Laviscount has shared a remarkable story about the moment football legend Sir David Beckham helped launch his acting career with a simple act of kindness over two decades ago.
A Fateful Meeting on an M&S Photoshoot
The actor, now 33 and famous for playing banker Alfie in Emily in Paris, first met the former England captain when he was just ten years old. The pair were working on a photoshoot for Marks and Spencer. Laviscount, who was already dreaming of becoming an actor after being inspired by his mother's bedtime stories and watching his brother's emotional reaction to The Lion King, seized the opportunity to share his ambitions with Beckham.
"His whole face just lit up, he was in tears going through this whole emotional rollercoaster," Laviscount told The Times, recalling his brother's response to the Disney film. This early passion led him to confide in the Manchester United icon during the shoot.
Beckham's Life-Changing Gesture
Upon hearing the young boy's dreams, Beckham didn't just offer encouragement. He took direct action. The footballer instructed an assistant to contact a drama school in Manchester on Lucien's behalf. Shortly after, the school rang Laviscount's mother to invite him to a class.
Although he only attended twice, this connection proved pivotal. The drama school informed him about an upcoming audition for a BBC drama called Clocking Off. Laviscount successfully landed a role, providing the crucial first step on his path to stardom.
From Cameo to Netflix Star
Laviscount's career has since flourished, with roles in British TV staples like Grange Hill, Coronation Street, and Waterloo Road, as well as US shows like Scream Queens and Episodes. However, it is his role in Emily in Paris that has catapulted him to international fame.
The actor revealed he was initially only scheduled for a brief two-episode cameo in the series, which follows American marketing executive Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins. "When I first came onto the show I was only supposed to do two episodes, I hadn't even been to Paris before," he said. He has now appeared in four series and the recently released fifth season, describing the experience as "insane" and stating he is "super grateful".
The show has become a global phenomenon since its 2020 debut, with its first series streamed 58 million times in its first week. Despite fears it might be a "one hit wonder", the fourth series still garnered an impressive 20 million streams in its first week. Laviscount's personal fame has also soared, with the actor now boasting 2.6 million Instagram followers.
A Grateful Reunion
Years after their initial meeting, Laviscount had the chance to thank Beckham personally. "I bumped into him a while back and said to him, 'thank you, you changed my life,'" he told Gentleman's Journal.
Reflecting on the impact, Laviscount emphasised how small actions can have profound consequences. "It’s a great example of how the simple things you do can change someone’s trajectory... That small gift of kindness, and I’m sure he doesn’t remember, changed not just my life, but my friends and family’s lives." The story stands as a powerful testament to mentorship and the lasting impact of generosity from those at the pinnacle of their careers.
