Sylvie Testud was born in Lyon on January 17th 1971. In 1993, she enrolled at the "Conservatoire National Superieur d’Art Dramatique" in Paris, and the same year, she was cast by Nico Brücher( today Niko von Glasow) for the lead in his film "Maries Lied". Her breakthrough came with Caroline Link"s Oscar-nominated drama "Jenseits der Stille" (1996). Testud"s celebrated performance as the musically gifted daughter coming to terms with her deaf parents won her the German Film Prize.

She worked again with Caroline Link on "Pünktchen und Anton", the 1997 movie adaptation of the eponymous childrens" book by Erich Kästner. The following years, Testud mainly appeared in French and international productions and won much praise as a renowned character actress. She was awarded a César for Best Newcomer for "Les Blessures Assasines", and three years later won another César, this time for Best Actress, for her performance in Alain Courneau"s comedy "Mit Staunen und Zittern" ("Stupeurs et tremeblents"). In 2008, she got another nomination for her portrayal of Edith Piaf"s best friend in "La Vie en rose", followed by her equally nominated turn as writer Francoise Sagan in the biopic "Sagan".

In 2009, Sylvie Testud appears in her first German-language production after six years: In Jessica Hausner"s award-winning drama "Lourdes", she plays a disabled woman looking for healing on a pilgrimage.