He is the son of the director Pierre Jolivet, nephew of the comedian Marc Jolivet and grandson of the actress Arlette Thomas.

Adrien Jolivet was first a trainee director. He followed Eva St Paul drama classes for two years and played both in the theater (Le Grand Vizir by René De Obaldia) and on television: L'Amour Dangereux or Too Full of Love (2003) by Steve Swissa. He had main roles in Fragile by Jean-Louis Milesi in 2003, and in Famille d'accueil (Instinct de vie) by Bruno Bontzolakis in 2005.

He also participates in a few short films: Le Cas d'O, La Mirador and Baby Shark by Pascal-Alex Vincent, in official competition at Cannes in 2005.

In 2004 he made his debut on the big screen alongside Marilou Berry in The First Time I Turned 20, by Lorraine Lévy.

It was with the film Zim and Co. released in 2005 and directed by his father Pierre Jolivet, that he obtained his first major role. Guitarist, he also composed the music for this film with Sacha Sieff. For this role, Adrien Jolivet was nominated for the Césars in the best male hopeful category.