The Human Energy That Is Pierre DuLat

All Photos:  Alan Mercer   Lighting:  Eric V

I was at an event in the SAG building recently when I saw this tall good looking gentleman. He stood out from others in the room and I thought to myself, "Now that must be a model!" They just have a certain look. Upon getting ready to exit the building here comes this handsome guy I had seen earlier. He actually came up to me and asked me who I was. He told me he liked my aura....in a French accent! I told him I was a photographer. We exchanged business cards and I learned his name was Pierre Du Lat. A few days later we are on the phone talking about a photo shoot. I could not resist sharing my experience with Pierre because he is a unique and uplifting personality.

He was born in the North of France to Polish parents. Although he started dancing when he was two and felt show business was in his blood, he still went to school and got a Master's Degree in law that he never used. He was into dancing and dancing is what he did...starting with The Weather Girls who were having a massive hit with 'It's Raining Men.' After that he started modeling for some big campaigns like Armani, Cerruti, Gianfranco Ferre ad Estee Lauder with Elizabeth Hurley.

He has appeared in all the major magazines including Vogue, GQ, New York Times, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many more. Television shows include 'Acapulco Heat,' 'Melrose Place,' 'Days Of Our Lives,' and 'The Bold and the Beautiful,' to name a few. He has also appeared in several films including a starring role opposite David Carradine in a film titled, 'The Donor.'

AM: Hello Pierre, I don't know much about you but you seem to be the quintessential male model. Can you tell me a little about that?

PDL: Many years ago I started in France and then I went to Italy where I did the world campaign for Armani and that started my international career. Then I went to New York and worked for Elite Models for over ten years. I went all over the world.

AM: You got to work with all the top photographers didn't you?

PDL: Yes, with many of them like Herb Ritts and Helmut Newton.

AM: And you got the big campaigns too!

PDL: I did the world campaign for BMW for five years.

AM: I love that you worked with Elizabeth Hurley!

PDL: I did, yes! We did the national campaign for Estee Lauder.

AM: Did you enjoy working with her?

PDL: She is wonderful.

EV: She is one of the most beautiful women.

PDL: Yes she is. I met her a year later at the Canne Film Festival when I was promoting a film I did with David Carradine. We were both at the same dinner party and she remembered me. It was really wonderful.

AM: Was acting a goal you always had or did you fall into it?

PDL: I'm a dancer. At two years old I already knew I had to dance. It's a gift. Everybody has a gift. Nature gave everyone something, some way to express yourself. It might be math. I was not good at math so....(laughing) that's why I studied law. Actually I have my Master's Degree in law but I never pursued it because I studied as a dancer.

AM: Did you do ballroom dancing?

PDL: Yes ballroom dancing, but my first gig was with the Weather Girls who had a hit with 'It's Raining Men.' I did the European tour with them and was on TV. That was my first job as an entertainer. From there I met some people who told me I should be a model so I did runway for Pierre Cardin and Yves St. Laurent which led to my world campaign for Armani.

AM: So you've gone from dancing to modeling to acting. When did you get a chance to act?

PDL: In a French movie I did but I didn't want to stay in France. I feel international. My parents were born in Poland so I never really felt French. I love France, it's a wonderful country but it's a small country and the world belongs to all of us. We can all be international. With art you can go all over the world. I believe that I'm an artist first. There are no borders for an artist. I've been all over the planet. I made a commercial in Hong Kong for BMW. I just love to travel!

AM: Was it easy getting to stay in the United States?

PDL: Yes I was helped by Elite who gave me a good recommendation. Herb Ritts also gave me a nice letter. He was so sweet. I miss him a lot because he was a wonderful person.

AM: I wish I could have met Herb Ritts.

PDL: The biggest stars are the nicest and most down to earth. They know they have a gift so they work with it. They don't have to show off. Anthony Hopkins is one of the best actors in the world and he is so down to earth. To be an artist you have to be grounded and come from your heart. You have to give and give. It's all about giving....to give a performance.

AM: Are you looking for television work?

PDL: Yes I'm pretty happy because I made the new Paula Abdul show and there were kids half my age who didn't get it.

AM: Do you think about age?

PDL: No, for me life can end in two seconds, you never know. I do martial arts also and I used to break wood but I don't do it too much lately. I've learned to relax and enjoy the moments. Live the moment and enjoy everything you can. Don't be afraid of what may happen. I love acting because you never know what is going to happen.

AM: Do you still dance all the time?

PDL: Yes I did Paula Abdul and a few weeks ago I was doing a movie with Reese Witherspoon and danced the foxtrot.

AM: Do you live by any philosphy?

PDL: Everyday is so good. I'm just happy to be alive. Human energy is wonderful!

To learn more about Pierre DuLat check out his web site http://pierredulat.com/