French actors who were born in 1923
Here are 22 famous actors from France were born in 1923:
Claude Piéplu
Claude Piéplu (May 9, 1923 Paris-May 24, 2006 Paris) also known as Claude Pieplu, Piéplu or Claude Léon Auguste Piéplu was a French actor and voice actor.
Throughout his extensive career, Piéplu acted in over 90 films and 50 plays. Some of his notable film credits include "Jules and Jim," "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie," and "The Day of the Jackal." He was also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to numerous animated films and TV shows such as "The Aristocats" and "Asterix and Cleopatra." In addition to his acting work, Piéplu was also a talented writer, penning several books throughout his life. He was a member of the prestigious Comédie-Française from 1961 to 1968 and was awarded the Legion of Honor in 2001 for his contributions to French culture.
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Marcel Marceau
Marcel Marceau (March 22, 1923 Strasbourg-September 22, 2007 Cahors) also known as Marcel Mangel, Bip the Clown or Le Mime Marceau was a French actor and mime artist. He had four children, Aurélia Marceau, Camille Marceau, Baptiste Marceau and Michel Marceau.
During World War II, Marceau served in the French Resistance and saved the lives of many Jewish children by helping them escape the Nazis. His experiences during the war heavily influenced his later work, particularly his most famous mime character Bip the Clown.
Marceau was widely regarded as one of the greatest mime artists of all time, and toured extensively throughout his career, performing in over 60 countries. He also appeared in several films, including Mel Brooks' "Silent Movie" in 1976.
In addition to his work as a performer, Marceau was also a teacher and founded the International School of Mime in Paris, where he trained many aspiring performers in his art. He received numerous awards and honors during his lifetime, including the National Order of Merit and the Legion of Honor, both of which are among the highest honors in France.
Marcel Marceau passed away in 2007 at the age of 84, but his influence on the art of mime continues to be felt to this day.
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Maurice Garrel
Maurice Garrel (February 24, 1923 Saint-Servais-June 4, 2011 Paris) otherwise known as Maurice Garel was a French actor. His children are called Thierry Garrel and Philippe Garrel.
Maurice Garrel began his career in the early 1950s as a theater actor before transitioning to film and television roles. He appeared in over 100 films and TV shows throughout his career, working with directors such as Jean-Luc Godard, François Truffaut, and Claude Chabrol. Garrel was known for his versatility, and he played a wide range of characters throughout his career, from supporting roles to leading roles. In addition to his work in film and television, Garrel was also an accomplished stage actor, directing and performing in works by Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter. He continued to work in the entertainment industry until his death in 2011 at the age of 88.
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Alexandre Astruc
Alexandre Astruc (July 13, 1923 Paris-) is a French film director, screenwriter, actor, journalist, film critic and novelist.
He is best known for his contribution to the French New Wave cinema movement, with his influential essay "The Birth of a New Avant-Garde: La Caméra-Stylo". Astruc began his career as a critic for Cahiers du Cinéma in the 1940s and 50s, where he championed the work of directors like Jean Renoir and Max Ophüls. He went on to direct several films, including "Le Rideau cramoisi" (1952) and "Les Mauvaises rencontres" (1955), which were well received by critics. Astruc was also a prolific writer, publishing several novels and essays throughout his career. In addition to his work in film, Astruc was an accomplished painter and sculptor.
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Roger Pierre
Roger Pierre (August 30, 1923 Paris-January 23, 2010 Paris) also known as Roger-Pierre or Jean Le Gall was a French actor, comedian and screenwriter.
Roger Pierre started his career in show business as a singer before moving on to theatre, television, film and radio. He was best known for his collaborations with the actor Jean-Marc Thibault in French comedy duos, producing many successful shows together. They were awarded the Legion of Honour in 1981 and had a career spanning over fifty years. In addition to his work as a comedian, Roger Pierre was also a talented screenwriter, having written for several television shows and films, including "Les Trois Mousquetaires" and "La Belle Américaine". He passed away in Paris in 2010, aged 86.
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Jean Babilée
Jean Babilée (February 2, 1923 Paris-January 30, 2014 Paris) a.k.a. Jean Babilee, Jean Gutman, Jean Gutmann or enfant terrible of dance was a French ballet dancer, actor and choreographer. He had one child, Isabelle Babilee.
Babilée was known for his innovative and unconventional style of dance, which often pushed the boundaries of traditional ballet. He rose to fame in the 1940s and 1950s as a principal dancer with the Paris Opera Ballet, and went on to establish his own company, Les Ballets de Paris, in 1959.
Throughout his career, Babilée worked with some of the most celebrated choreographers of his time, including George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Maurice Béjart. He also appeared in numerous films, including the classic French film "Les Enfants Terribles" (1950) directed by Jean-Pierre Melville.
Despite struggling with drug addiction and personal demons in his later years, Babilée remains an iconic figure in the world of dance, remembered for his incredible talent and daring approach to the art form.
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Jacques Dynam
Jacques Dynam (December 30, 1923 Paris-November 12, 2004 Paris) also known as Jacques André François Joseph Dynam-Barbe, Dynam or Jaques Dynam was a French actor and voice actor.
He started his career in the 1940s as a stage actor before transitioning to film acting in the 1950s. Dynam appeared in over 100 films throughout his career and was best known for his comedic roles in movies like "Les Grandes vacances" and "Les Tontons flingueurs". He also had a successful career as a voice actor, lending his voice to French dubs of popular American films and TV shows such as "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "The Addams Family". Dynam passed away in 2004 at the age of 80 in his hometown of Paris.
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René Havard
René Havard (December 20, 1923 Paris-December 7, 1987 Paris) also known as René Havart or René Haward was a French actor and screenwriter.
Havard began his career in the entertainment industry in the 1940s as a stage actor in Paris. He went on to perform in several French films throughout the 1950s and the 1960s, often playing supporting roles. In addition to acting, Havard also wrote screenplays for several French films, including "Les Fruits de l'été" and "La Peau de Torpedo".
Havard was known for his versatility as an actor, and his performances ranged from serious dramas to lighthearted comedies. Some of his most notable film appearances include "Napoleon," "Sundays and Cybele," and "The Fire Within."
Despite his talent and success, Havard remained relatively unknown outside of France. However, he was highly respected within the French film industry and worked with some of the most prominent directors and actors of his time.
Havard passed away in Paris in 1987, leaving behind a legacy as an accomplished actor and writer in French cinema.
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Maurice Chevit
Maurice Chevit (October 31, 1923 Paris-July 2, 2012 Saint-Maurice) also known as Maurice Chévit was a French actor. He had one child, Frédéric Chevit.
Maurice Chevit began his acting career in the 1940s, appearing in numerous stage productions before transitioning to film and television. He eventually became a familiar face to French audiences, thanks to his versatile acting skills and ability to convincingly portray a wide range of characters.
Throughout his career, Chevit appeared in over 100 films, including "The Day of the Jackal" and "The Return of Martin Guerre". He also starred in several popular TV series, including "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes" and "Les Cordier, juge et flic".
In addition to his acting work, Chevit was also a talented singer and musician. He even released several albums of French chansons and performed on stage as a cabaret singer.
Chevit passed away in 2012 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy as one of France's most beloved and versatile actors.
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José Giovanni
José Giovanni (June 22, 1923 Paris-April 24, 2004 Lausanne) also known as Joseph Damiani or Jose Giovanni was a French screenwriter, film director, writer, actor and television director.
Born to Corsican parents, Giovanni grew up in poverty and turned to a life of crime as a young man. He was convicted of several offenses and spent a total of 17 years in prison. While behind bars, he discovered a love for literature and began to write. After his release, he turned to filmmaking, adapting some of his own novels for the screen. He became known for his tough and gritty crime dramas, often drawing on his own experiences with the criminal underworld. His films include highly-regarded works like "Le Trou", "Two Men in Town" and "The Professional". In addition to his work on screen, Giovanni wrote several novels and memoirs. He was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1997.
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Jacques Dacqmine
Jacques Dacqmine (November 30, 1923 La Madeleine-March 29, 2010 Périers-en-Auge) was a French actor.
He began his acting career on stage in the 1940s before transitioning to film in the 1950s. Dacqmine appeared in over 80 films throughout his career, including "La Tulipe Noire" (1964) and "Les Enfants Terribles" (1950). He was also a television actor, appearing in several French TV series such as "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes" and "Navarro." In addition to acting, Dacqmine was a skilled painter and music lover. He was awarded the Legion of Honour, a prestigious award in France, in 1991 for his contributions to the arts.
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François Cavanna
François Cavanna (February 2, 1923 Nogent-sur-Marne-January 29, 2014 Créteil) also known as Francois Cavanna or Cavanna was a French actor, editor and author.
Cavanna was also the founder of the satirical magazine "Hara-Kiri" in 1960, which later became "Charlie Hebdo". He was known for his irreverent humor and his criticism of authority, religion, and politics. Cavanna wrote over 25 books throughout his career and was awarded the Legion of Honor in 2010 for his contribution to French literature and journalism. He was also a supporter of environmental causes and was part of the French Green Party. Cavanna's life and legacy were celebrated in France after his death in 2014, with many recognizing him as one of France's most important and influential satirical writers.
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Jacques Legras
Jacques Legras (October 25, 1923 Nantes-March 15, 2006 Paris) otherwise known as Legras, J. Legras or Jacques Jean Le Gras was a French actor.
He began his career in theater in the 1940s, and later moved on to film and television. Legras appeared in over 90 films and television shows throughout his career, working with some of the most renowned directors in the industry. He also lent his voice to several films, dubbing both American and British actors. In addition to his work in acting, Legras was also known for his support of young actors and actresses, mentoring and advising them throughout their careers. Legras passed away in 2006 at the age of 82.
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Jacques Rispal
Jacques Rispal (August 1, 1923 Aquitaine-February 9, 1986 Suresnes) a.k.a. Rispal or Marcel Rispal was a French actor.
He began his acting career in theatre before moving on to television and film. He was best known for his comedic roles in French cinema, appearing in over 80 films throughout his career. Some of his most notable roles include "Les Tontons Flingueurs," "The War of the Buttons," and "La Grande Vadrouille." In addition to his work on screen, Rispal was also a prolific voice actor for animated films and television shows. He was awarded the Order of Merit in 1985 for his contributions to French culture. Rispal passed away from cancer at the age of 62.
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François Chaumette
François Chaumette (September 8, 1923 Paris-February 27, 1996 Paris) also known as François Chaumette sociétaire de la Comédie Française or Jean Paul Maurice François Chaumette was a French actor. He had three children, Sarah Chaumette, Thomas Chaumette and Mary Chaumette.
François Chaumette studied at the prestigious Paris Conservatory and began his acting career in the 1940s. He acted in over 100 films throughout his career, including the critically acclaimed film "The Wages of Fear" (1953) directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot. Chaumette also worked extensively in theater, and became a sociétaire, or full member, of the Comédie-Française in 1961. He was known for his versatility as an actor, and his range allowed him to play both comedic and dramatic roles with equal skill. In addition to his work on stage and in film, Chaumette also appeared on television, including in the popular French series "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes." He died in Paris in 1996 at the age of 72.
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Philippe de Chérisey
Philippe de Chérisey (February 13, 1923 Paris-July 17, 1985 Paris) a.k.a. Amedee, Philippe de Cherisey, Ph. de Chérisey, Amédé, Philippe Louis Henri Marie de Chérisey or Amédée was a French actor and writer.
In addition to his acting and writing, Philippe de Chérisey was also known for his involvement with the notorious "Priory of Sion" organization. He claimed to have been the organization's grand master from 1981 until his death in 1985. However, the legitimacy of the Priory of Sion remains highly controversial and debated among historians, with many dismissing it as a modern hoax. Nevertheless, de Chérisey's association with the group has fueled numerous conspiracy theories over the years. Outside of his involvement with the Priory of Sion, de Chérisey was a prolific writer, publishing several novels and plays during his lifetime.
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Claude Luter
Claude Luter (July 23, 1923 Paris-October 6, 2006 Poissy) also known as Luter, Claude was a French clarinetist, actor and film score composer.
Luter was a prominent figure in the French jazz scene and was often referred to as the "King of the Clarinet". He began his career as a self-taught musician in the 1940s and went on to perform with some of the greatest jazz musicians of his time, including Sidney Bechet and Benny Goodman.
In addition to his music career, Luter also ventured into acting and composed music for a number of films. He appeared in several movies throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including "Les Tricheurs" and "Tirez sur le pianiste". As a composer, he contributed music to films such as "Les Quatre Cents Coups" and "Moderato Cantabile".
Luter remained active in the music industry well into his later years and continued to perform and record until his death in 2006. He was widely recognized for his contributions to French jazz and was posthumously awarded the Légion d'honneur in 2009.
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Gabriel Cattand
Gabriel Cattand (November 29, 1923 Bonneville-August 9, 1997 Yvelines) was a French actor.
He appeared in over 100 films and television shows throughout his career. He first gained recognition for his role in the French war film "La Vérité sur Bébé Donge" (1952). Cattand also acted in international films, including the British thriller "The Man in the White Suit" (1951) and the American drama "Is Paris Burning?" (1966).
In addition to his film work, Cattand was a respected stage actor and appeared in many productions throughout France. He also lent his voice to numerous documentaries and television programs.
Cattand was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1991 for his contributions to French culture. He passed away in 1997 at the age of 73.
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Hubert Deschamps
Hubert Deschamps (September 13, 1923 Paris-December 29, 1998 Paris) a.k.a. Hubert Deschamp or Deschamps was a French actor.
He began his career on stage in the early 1950s and appeared in numerous theater productions throughout his career. Deschamps was also known for his work in French cinema, appearing in over 50 films. Some of his notable film roles include "Fanny" (1961), "The Soft Skin" (1964), and "May Fools" (1990). In addition to his work in theater and film, Deschamps also acted in television series and films such as the popular French comedy "Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez" (1964). Deschamps was widely regarded for his talent and versatility as an actor and was a recipient of the Molière Award, one of the most prestigious honors in French theater.
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Pascal Mazzotti
Pascal Mazzotti (December 16, 1923 Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry-June 19, 2002 Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône) also known as Pasquale "Pascal" Mazzotti, Pasquale Mazzotti, Pascal Mazotti or Pascal Mazzoti was a French actor.
He was born to an Italian family and started his career in the French film industry in the 1950s. Mazzotti appeared in over 50 films throughout his career, including "The Professional," "La Moutarde Me Monte Au Nez," and "Tintin and the Mystery of the Golden Fleece." He was best known for his supporting roles in comedy films and his talent for physical humor. Mazzotti was a beloved figure in French cinema throughout his career and continued to work until his death in 2002 at the age of 78.
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Marcel Zanini
Marcel Zanini (September 9, 1923 Istanbul-) also known as Zanini, Marcel is a French actor. He has one child, Marc-Édouard Nabe.
Marcel Zanini was born in Istanbul, Turkey in 1923 to a French family. He grew up in France and later became an actor. Over his career, Zanini acted in various films and television shows. He is best known for his roles in "The Troops of St. Tropez" (1964), "Les Enquêtes du commissaire Maigret" (1967), and "Le Passager de la pluie" (1970). His career spanned several decades, and he acted in over 100 films and television shows. Zanini was also a singer and recorded a number of songs. He had one child, Marc-Édouard Nabe, who is also an author and musician. Today, Marcel Zanini is remembered for his contributions to French cinema and entertainment.
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Roger Dutoit
Roger Dutoit (February 8, 1923 Calais-May 3, 1988 Silly, Belgium) was a French actor.
He began his acting career in the 1940s and appeared in numerous films throughout his career. Some of his notable film credits include "The Man in the Iron Mask" (1952), "The Cheetah" (1969), and "The Old Country" (1978). Dutoit was known for his versatility as an actor, and he often played both comedic and dramatic roles. In addition to his film work, he also appeared on stage and television. He passed away in 1988 at the age of 65.
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