French actors who were born in 1921
Here are 17 famous actors from France were born in 1921:
Jean Richard
Jean Richard (April 18, 1921 Bessines-December 12, 2001 Senlis) otherwise known as Richard was a French actor. He had two children, Élisabeth Richard and Jean-Pierre Richard.
After studying acting in Paris, Jean Richard made his stage debut in 1941. He then went on to act in several successful French films, including "Le Salaire de la Peur" ("The Wages of Fear") in 1953 and "Les Misérables" in 1958. However, Richard was most well-known for his work on television. He starred in a number of popular French TV shows, including "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes" and "Les Enquêtes du Commissaire Maigret," in which he played the titular character. Richard was also heavily involved in the theatre scene throughout his career, both as an actor and as the director of the Théâtre des Variétés in Paris. He was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1986 for his contributions to French culture.
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Yves Montand
Yves Montand (October 13, 1921 Monsummano Terme-November 9, 1991 Senlis) also known as Yves Montad, Y.Montant or Ivo Livi was a French actor, singer and hairdresser. He had one child, Valentin Montand.
Yves Montand's career spanned over five decades, during which he acted in more than 50 films, several stage productions and released numerous albums. He initially gained popularity as a music hall singer in France and was known for his signature song "Les feuilles mortes" (Autumn Leaves) which was later covered by various artists worldwide. Montand's acting career also took off after he appeared in French films such as "Le Salaire de la Peur" (The Wages of Fear) and "Les Portes de la nuit" (Gates of the Night). He also starred in several Hollywood films like "Let's Make Love" and "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever". Montand was politically active and actively supported left-wing causes, he was involved with the Communist Party in France and was known to be a close friend of Che Guevara. Montand was also an advocate for civil rights and protested against the Vietnam War.
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Louis Jourdan
Louis Jourdan (June 19, 1921 Marseille-) also known as Louis Gendre or Louis Robert Gendre is a French actor. He has one child, Louis Henry Jourdan.
Jourdan began his acting career in France before moving to Hollywood in 1947. He quickly became a popular leading man in films such as "Gigi," "The Paradine Case," and "Letter from an Unknown Woman." Jourdan was known for his suave charm and elegant demeanor, and he often played romantic leads opposite some of Hollywood's biggest female stars.
In addition to his film work, Jourdan also appeared on stage and television, including a memorable guest spot on "Columbo." Later in his career, he returned to France and continued acting in films and on stage.
Jourdan was also an accomplished painter and wrote a memoir about his life and career called "Louis Jourdan and the Movies." He passed away in 2015 at the age of 93.
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Lionel Terray
Lionel Terray (July 25, 1921 Grenoble-September 23, 1965 Vercors Massif) was a French mountain guide, mountaineer and actor.
Lionel Terray was one of the leading mountaineers of his time and is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of high altitude climbing. He made a number of significant ascents in the Alps, the Andes, and the Himalayas, and was part of the first ascent of the Annapurna in 1950.
Apart from his mountaineering achievements, Terray was also a successful actor, having appeared in a number of films in the 1950s and 60s. He used his acting earnings to finance his mountaineering expeditions, and was widely admired for his tenacity, courage and determination in the face of adversity.
Terray died tragically in a climbing accident in the Vercors Massif in 1965, aged just 44. His legacy in the world of mountaineering continues to this day and he is remembered as a true legend of the sport.
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Daniel Gélin
Daniel Gélin (May 19, 1921 Angers-November 29, 2002 Paris) also known as Daniel Yves Alfred Gélin or Daniel Gelin was a French actor, film director and screenwriter. He had six children, Maria Schneider, Xavier Gélin, Fiona Gélin, Manuel Gélin, Pascal Gelin and Laura Gèlin.
He began his career in theater in 1941, before making his move to the silver screen in 1942. Gélin performed in over 80 films in his seven-decade career in the entertainment industry, including "La Ronde" (1950), " The Longest Day" (1962), and "Stavisky" (1974). In addition to his acting talents, he also directed and wrote for movies and television. Gélin won several awards for his roles throughout his career, including the Prix d'interprétation masculine at the 1950 Cannes Film Festival for his role in "The Devil in the Flesh." He passed away in 2002 at the age of 81 due to complications of pneumonia.
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Henri Colpi
Henri Colpi (July 15, 1921 Brig-January 14, 2006 Menton) was a French film director, film editor, screenwriter, television director and actor.
Born in Brig, Switzerland, Colpi started his career in the film industry as a film editor, working for directors such as Alain Resnais and René Clair. His work on Resnais' film "Hiroshima Mon Amour" won him a BAFTA award in 1961. Colpi later moved onto directing his own films, including "Une Aussi Longue Absence" which won the Palme d'Or at the 1961 Cannes Film Festival. He also worked in television, directing a number of programs for French audiences. In addition to his work as a director, Colpi was also an actor, appearing in films such as "Pauline at the Beach" and "Zazie dans le Métro". Overall, Henri Colpi was a prolific figure in the French film industry and made significant contributions to the world of cinema throughout his career.
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Georges Wilson
Georges Wilson (October 16, 1921 Champigny-sur-Marne-February 3, 2010 Rambouillet) also known as George Wilson, Georges Wilson du T.N.P. or Georges Willson was a French actor, film director, theatre director, screenwriter and voice actor. He had two children, Lambert Wilson and Jean-Marie Wilson.
Georges Wilson had a long and illustrious career in the French entertainment industry. He began his career as a theatre actor and director, working with the Théâtre National Populaire in the 1940s and 1950s. He also wrote plays and adapted works for the stage.
In the 1960s, Wilson transitioned to film and television acting. He appeared in over 80 films throughout his career, including Jean-Pierre Melville's "Le Samouraï" (1967) and François Truffaut's "The Wild Child" (1970). He also appeared on numerous television shows.
In addition to his work as an actor and director, Wilson was a prolific voice actor. He dubbed the voices of various actors in French versions of popular films, including Marlon Brando in "The Godfather" (1972) and Jack Nicholson in "The Shining" (1980).
Wilson's legacy in French entertainment was honored with numerous awards throughout his career. He was made a knight of the Legion of Honor in 2001. Wilson passed away in 2010 at the age of 88.
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Michel Boisrond
Michel Boisrond (October 9, 1921 Châteauneuf-en-Thymerais-November 10, 2002 La Celle-Saint-Cloud) a.k.a. Michel J. Boisrond or Michel Jacques Boisrond was a French film director, television director, screenwriter, writer and actor. His children are called Francois Boisrond and Cécile Boisrond.
Michel Boisrond began his career as an actor in the 1940s, working in theater and film. He transitioned to directing in the 1950s and became known for his lighthearted and romantic comedies. He directed popular films in the 1950s and 1960s, including "The Truth About Women" (1957), "Come Dance with Me!" (1959), and "A Woman Is a Woman" (1961).
Boisrond also directed for television, helming episodes of popular French series such as "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes" and "La Caméra Explore le Temps". He continued to write and direct films throughout the 1970s and 1980s, although his later work was not as well received.
In addition to his film and television work, Boisrond was also an accomplished writer, publishing several novels and collections of short stories. He passed away in 2002 at the age of 81.
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Jean Lacouture
Jean Lacouture (June 9, 1921 Bordeaux-) is a French journalist, author, historian, actor, film director and screenwriter.
He was known for his extensive coverage of French politics, culture and society spanning over several decades. He worked for numerous French publications including Le Monde and Nouvel Observateur. Lacouture was also a prolific author, having written over 40 books on various topics ranging from historical biographies, to memoirs, to political analysis. He also directed and acted in several documentaries and films. Lacouture was awarded several distinctions for his work, including the prestigious Grand Prix de l'Académie française in 2003. In addition to his journalistic and literary pursuits, Lacouture was a committed political activist, having participated in the French Resistance during World War II and the Algerian War.
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Henri Labussière
Henri Labussière (March 20, 1921 Villeneuve-Saint-Georges-June 15, 2008 Paris) a.k.a. Henri La Bussière or Labussière was a French actor, voice actor and comedian.
He began his career in the 1940s as a stage actor, but gained prominence in the 1950s through his television and film work. Labussière appeared in more than 100 films, including classics like "Les Quatre Cents Coups," "Le Trou," and "Zazie dans le Métro." He was also a prolific voice actor, providing the French dubbing for such iconic characters as Marlon Brando's Vito Corleone in "The Godfather," and Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Labussière was known for his versatility and ability to move seamlessly between drama and comedy. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including the French Legion of Honor in 2002. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 87.
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Guy Laroche
Guy Laroche (July 16, 1921 La Rochelle-February 17, 1989 Paris) was a French costume designer, fashion designer and actor.
Laroche was a well-known figure in the world of haute couture in the 1960s and 1970s, known for his simplified and streamlined designs. He trained under Jean Dessès and later opened his own fashion house in 1957. His designs were favored by French film actresses including Brigitte Bardot, Jeanne Moreau, and Françoise Hardy. In addition to his career in fashion, Laroche also dabbled in acting in the 1950s, appearing in several French films. He passed away in 1989 from a heart attack, leaving a lasting legacy in the fashion industry.
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Jess Hahn
Jess Hahn (October 29, 1921 Terre Haute-June 29, 1998 Saint-Malo) a.k.a. Jesse Beryle Hahn, Jess Hann, Jesse Hahn or J. Hahn was a French actor and musician.
Jess Hahn was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, United States, and moved to France after serving in World War II. He began his career as a musician and played trumpet in the orchestra of Claude Luter, a well-known French jazz clarinetist. Hahn then transitioned to acting and appeared in over 80 films between 1953 and 1993. He became a popular character actor in France, known for his comedic timing and dynamic presence on screen. Some of his notable roles include "Breathless" (1960), "The Soft Skin" (1964), and "Borsalino" (1970). Hahn also dabbled in screenwriting and wrote the screenplay for "Les Durs" (1974). He passed away in Saint-Malo, France, in 1998 at the age of 77.
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Eddie Barclay
Eddie Barclay (January 26, 1921 Paris-May 13, 2005 Paris) a.k.a. Barclay, Eddie, Édouard Ruault or Eddie Barclay et son orchestre was a French film score composer, actor, music producer, record producer, pianist, businessperson and editor. He had one child, Guillaume Barclay.
Born to a family of hairdressers, Eddie Barclay was exposed to music at a young age. He began to play the piano and eventually became a self-taught musician. After World War II, he started his own music label, which would become Barclay Records. The label became one of the most successful in France, with a roster of notable artists including Jacques Brel, Charles Aznavour, and Dalida. Barclay was also involved in the French film industry, composing scores for films such as "Le Dernier Métro" and "5 Fingers" and appearing in a few films as an actor. Despite his success, Barclay was known for his modesty and down-to-earth personality. He died in 2005 from a heart attack in his home in Paris.
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Alain Renoir
Alain Renoir (October 31, 1921 Cagnes-sur-Mer-December 12, 2008 Esparto) was a French cinematographer, professor, writer and actor.
He was the son of French film director Jean Renoir and nephew of the famous painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Alain began his career in the film industry as an assistant cameraman before eventually becoming a cinematographer himself, working on several notable French films such as Le Testament d'Orphée and Le Combat dans l'île.
In addition to his work behind the camera, Renoir was also a professor of film studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he taught courses on French cinema. He wrote several books on the subject of film, such as "Renoir, My Father" in which he reflects on his relationship with his famous father Jean Renoir.
Throughout his career, Alain also appeared in a number of films as an actor, most notably in his father's 1937 film "La Grande Illusion" and in Jean-Pierre Melville's 1961 film "Two Men in Manhattan".
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Robert Dhéry
Robert Dhéry (April 27, 1921 France-December 5, 2004 Paris) also known as Robert Fouilley or Dhéry, Robert was a French actor, film director, screenwriter and writer.
He is best known for his work in the field of comedy, having created and starred in several successful comedic acts and films including the iconic play and film "La Plume de ma Tante".
Dhéry's career began with his involvement in the French Resistance during World War II, after which he pursued a career in the entertainment industry. With his comic genius, he quickly rose to fame and became a household name in France. He collaborated with famous French comedian Louis de Funès and directed him in his first leading role in the film "Poisson d'avril" in 1954.
Dhéry wrote and directed several successful films and plays, including "La Belle Américaine", "La Brebis Galante" and "Allez France!" among others. He also worked as a voice actor, dubbing foreign films in French.
In addition to his work in entertainment, Dhéry was also a prolific writer, having written several books including a memoir titled "Robert Dhéry raconte" and a biography of his friend and collaborator Louis de Funès.
Dhéry's work in comedy and entertainment had a profound impact on French culture and remains influential to this day. He was posthumously awarded the Order of the Legion of Honour, one of France's highest awards, in recognition of his contributions to the arts.
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Francis Blanche
Francis Blanche (July 20, 1921 Paris-July 6, 1974 Paris) a.k.a. Francis Jean Blanche was a French actor, comedian, humorist, screenwriter, writer and singer. His child is called Jean-Marie Blanche.
Blanche began his career as a singer in the 1940s and later transitioned to acting and comedy in the 1950s. He appeared in numerous French films and television shows throughout his career, often playing eccentric or comedic characters.
Blanche was also known for his talent as a writer and screenwriter, penning scripts for popular comedies such as "Les tontons flingueurs" and "Ne nous fâchons pas". Additionally, he wrote books on humor and was a frequent contributor to humor magazines in France.
Blanche's work has had a lasting impact on French popular culture, with many of his comedic catchphrases and one-liners remaining well-known and widely used today. He died in July 1974, at the age of 52, leaving behind a legacy as one of France's most beloved and influential comedians.
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Robert Rollis
Robert Rollis (March 14, 1921 Épinal-November 6, 2007) otherwise known as R. Rollis, Robert Rollys, Rollys or Robert Vasseux was a French actor.
He started his acting career in the 1940s and quickly became a popular supporting actor in both French and international films. He was a frequent collaborator of French director Claude Chabrol and appeared in many of his films, including "Les Biches" and "La Rupture". Rollis was also known for his roles in American films such as "The Day of the Jackal" and "Family Plot". In addition to his film work, Rollis also appeared on stage and in television shows. He was a versatile actor who could play a wide range of characters and was highly regarded for his talent and dedication to his craft.
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