A handsome, steely leading man in American films as well as those of his native France, Christopher Lambert gained worldwide fame with his first starring role in "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes" (1984) before becoming something of a pop culture icon through the "Highlander" (1986) franchise. The "Highlander" films cast him as an immortal Scottish swordsman and became objects of cult worship. He continued to work steadily into the 21st century, providing a touch of Continental charm to his soulful assassins and stalwart lawmen, which in turn endeared him to a vast audience of action fans.