French actors who were born in 1914
Here are 11 famous actors from France were born in 1914:
Louis de Funès
Louis de Funès (July 31, 1914 Courbevoie-January 27, 1983 Nantes) also known as Louis de Funes, Fufu, Louis Germain de Funès de Galarza, Louis Germain David de Funès de Galarza, De Funes, L. de Funès, de Funès or the man with the forty faces per minute was a French actor, screenwriter, pianist, film director, comedian and voice actor. He had three children, Daniel Charles Louis de Funès de Galarza, Olivier de Funès and Patrick Charles de Funès de Galarza.
Louis de Funès began his acting career in the 1940s and became a famous star of French cinema in the 1960s and 1970s. He appeared in over 140 films and is best known for his roles in comedies, particularly his collaborations with director Jean Girault. Some of his most popular films include "La Grande Vadrouille" (1966), "The Mad Adventures of 'Rabbi' Jacob" (1973) and "The Troops of St. Tropez" series (1964-1982).
De Funès was known for his incredible energy, manic facial expressions, and physical comedy, which made him one of the most popular comedic actors in Europe. He won two César Awards, the highest film award in France, for his roles in "Le Grand Restaurant" (1966) and "La Folie des Grandeurs" (1971).
Besides his career in cinema, de Funès was also an accomplished pianist and published several recordings of his music. He was a Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion of Honour and in 1982 was promoted to Officer of the Legion of Honour.
De Funès died of a heart attack at the age of 68 in Nantes, France. Despite his passing, he remains a beloved icon of French cinema and his films continue to entertain audiences around the world.
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Léon Zitrone
Léon Zitrone (November 25, 1914 Saint Petersburg-November 25, 1995 Levallois-Perret) was a French journalist and actor.
During the Second World War, Léon Zitrone joined the Free French Forces in London and worked as a correspondent for Radio France. He then went on to become a prominent television presenter and hosted several important events, including the Tour de France, the Eurovision Song Contest, and the Olympics. Zitrone was known for his distinctive voice and style and gained a reputation as one of the most iconic French presenters of his time. He was also an accomplished actor and appeared in several films, including "The Train" (1964) by John Frankenheimer, and "Jo" (1971) by Jean Girault. Zitrone was awarded the Legion of Honour and continued to work in the media industry until his death in 1995, at the age of 81.
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Jacques Dufilho
Jacques Dufilho (February 19, 1914 Bègles-August 28, 2005 Ponsampère) also known as Dufilho was a French actor.
He began his career in theater in the 1930s, and later transitioned to film in the 1950s, becoming one of the most recognizable character actors in French cinema. Dufilho is best known for his work in films such as "Le Cave se Rebiffe," "La Guerre des boutons," and "La Veuve Couderc," for which he won the César Award for Best Supporting Actor. He was also a regular performer in the works of French director Jean-Pierre Mocky. In addition to his acting career, Dufilho was also a playwright, having written several successful plays in the 1960s and 1970s. Dufilho continued to work in the entertainment industry well into his eighties, and remained active until his death in 2005 at the age of 91.
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Jacques Castelot
Jacques Castelot (July 11, 1914 Antwerp-August 25, 1989 Paris) also known as Jacques Storms, Jacques Castellot or Jacques Marie Paul Éloi Storms was a French actor.
Born in Belgium, Castelot was raised and educated in Paris. He began his acting career in the 1930s, performing in theater productions and radio broadcasts. In the 1940s, he transitioned to film and television, earning critical acclaim for his roles in French cinema.
Castelot also had a notable career as a stage director, working with prominent theaters throughout France. He was admired in the theater world for his keen eye for detail and his ability to bring out the best in his actors.
Despite his success, Castelot led a relatively private life, rarely granting interviews or discussing his personal affairs. He passed away in 1989 at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy as one of France's most talented and respected actors.
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Robert Darène
Robert Darène (January 10, 1914 Marseille-) also known as Robert de Vos is a French screenwriter, film director and actor.
Darène began his career as an actor in the 1930s, but he soon shifted his focus to screenwriting and directing. He worked on several popular French films including "Les Trois Mousquetaires" and "Le Comte de Monte Cristo". His directorial debut was the film "Quai des Orfèvres" in 1947, which received critical acclaim and cemented his place as a prominent director in the French film industry.
Throughout his career, Darène directed over 20 feature films and wrote screenplays for even more. He was known for his ability to portray complex characters and delve into the darker aspects of human nature. In addition to his work in film, Darène also wrote several novels throughout his lifetime.
In recognition of his contributions to French cinema, Darène was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1986. He passed away in 1994 at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy as one of France's most beloved and respected film directors.
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Jacques Debary
Jacques Debary (November 25, 1914 Saint-Quentin-December 9, 2011 Paris) a.k.a. Jean Debarry was a French actor.
He began his acting career on the Parisian stage and made his film debut in 1947. Debary appeared in over 90 films during his career, including prominent roles in "Le Trou" (1960) and "The Day and the Hour" (1963). He also had a successful career in French television, acting in popular series such as "Les Cinq dernières Minutes" and "Maigret". Debary was awarded with the Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur in 1997 for his contributions to French culture.
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Pierre Collet
Pierre Collet (March 10, 1914 Montrouge-October 30, 1977 Paris) also known as Pierre Colet or Collet was a French actor.
He appeared in over 60 films throughout his career, including "The Longest Day" (1962) and "Mata Hari, Agent H21" (1964). In addition to acting, Collet was also a talented singer, having recorded several albums in the 1950s and 1960s. He was awarded the Legion of Honour in recognition of his contributions to French culture. Collet suffered a fatal heart attack while performing in a play at the Théâtre de la Porte-Saint-Martin in Paris in 1977.
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Georges Cravenne
Georges Cravenne (January 24, 1914 Kairouan-January 10, 2009 Paris) also known as Joseph-Raoul Cohen or Father of the French Oscar was a French film producer, actor and journalist. He had three children, Julie Cravenne, François-David Cravenne and Charles Cravenne.
Cravenne is best known for founding the César Awards in 1975, France's equivalent to the Oscars. He was also instrumental in introducing the "Best Foreign Language Film" category to the Academy Awards in the United States. As a film producer, Cravenne worked on over 40 films, including "Le Château de verre" (1950), "Les Amants de Montparnasse" (1958), and "Le Doulos" (1962). He also acted in several films, including "Le Plaisir" (1952) and "Les Tricheurs" (1958). Cravenne was a respected journalist and served as president of the French Union of Film Critics from 1964 to 1970. He was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1985 for his contributions to the film industry.
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Jean Champion
Jean Champion (March 9, 1914 Chalon-sur-Saône-May 23, 2001 Chalon-sur-Saône) also known as J. Champion was a French actor.
He began his career in theater and eventually made his way to film, appearing in over 80 movies throughout his career. Some of his notable film roles include appearances in "The Red and the Black" (1954), "Le Trou" (1960), and "Les Aventures de Rabbi Jacob" (1973). Champion was also known for his voice acting work in French dubs of foreign films such as "The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957) and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (1966). Additionally, he was a recipient of the prestigious Legion of Honour award.
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Pêr-Jakez Helias
Pêr-Jakez Helias (February 17, 1914 Pouldreuzic-August 13, 1995 Quimper) also known as Pierre Jakez Hélias or Pierre-Jacques Hélias was a French author, actor, journalist, poet and writer.
He was born in a small fishing village on the coast of Brittany, France and was raised in a traditional Breton family. He studied law in Paris but soon realized his true passion was writing. Helias went on to become one of the most celebrated Breton writers of the 20th century, known for his work preserving and promoting Breton culture and language.
His most famous work, "Le Cheval d'Orgueil" (The Horse of Pride), is a semi-autobiographical novel about growing up in Brittany, which was later adapted into a successful film. Helias also worked as a journalist and wrote poetry, essays, and plays throughout his career.
In addition to his writing career, Helias was involved in the Breton nationalist movement and was a member of the Breton National Party. He also acted in several films and television shows, including a role in the acclaimed French film "Morning Glory" in 1957.
Helias was awarded the prestigious Prix Goncourt for his novel "Le Cheval d'Orgueil" in 1975, becoming the first Breton author to receive this honor. He continued to write and promote Breton culture until his death in 1995. Today, he is remembered as a literary icon and cultural ambassador for Brittany.
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Michel Nastorg
Michel Nastorg (October 2, 1914 Saint-Martin-de-Lamps-June 9, 1984 Saint-Denis) was a French actor.
He started out as a theater actor before transitioning to film, and made his debut in the 1935 film "Barberousse". Nastorg went on to appear in over 70 films throughout his career, including "Les Enfants Terribles" (1950), "Maigret et l'Affaire Saint Fiacre" (1959), and "The Soft Skin" (1964). He was also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to several French- and English-language dubs of films and television shows, including the French dub of "The Jetsons" and the English dub of "The Twelve Tasks of Asterix". In addition to his acting work, Nastorg was a writer and director, and published several books during his lifetime.
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