Jean Dujardin did not only win best actor at the recently-held 2012 Oscars, but he swept other major award-giving bodies with his performance as 'Hazanavicius' for the film, 'The Artist.'

Dujardin certainly gave his French entertainment heritage for sweeping the best actor acclaims in all of this year's biggest awards shows. First, Dujardin nabbed the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Golden Globes, then the actor also came through victorios at the Screen Actors Guild Award (SAG) for the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.

Before winning the Academy Award earlier today, Dujardin also won the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival, the most-celebrated international film fest in the world.

With his impressive skill in front of the camera, many might be surprised that acting isn't Dujardin's first career choice. Dujardin went to work for his father as a construction worker straight out of high school, and pursued a place in the military for a short while. While in the service, Dujardin had an epiphany that he wanted to be an actor, and he made sure to do something about this dream.

While living in Paris, the actor started out by performing monologues he had written for himself. Dujardin carried out his one-man show in many bars, enough for talent scouts to notice his innate ability to master expressions like a pro. He wouldn't have won all those awards in a film where he did not speak a single phrase for its entirety if Dujardin didn't know how to convey the appropriate skill of a seasoned actor (without the experience and Hollywood lifestyle).

Not only did Dujardin beat heavy-hitters such as Clooney and Pitt, but he is also the first French male actor to receive an Academy Award.

View the slideshow to see images of Jean Dujardin.

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