French actors who deceased at age 59
Here are 16 famous actors from France died at 59:
Roland Topor
Roland Topor (January 7, 1938 Paris-April 16, 1997 Paris) a.k.a. Topor, Roland or Topor was a French novelist, screenwriter, actor, illustrator, painter, writer, filmmaker, songwriter and film art director. His child is Nicolas Topor.
He died as a result of cerebral hemorrhage.
Topor is known for his absurd and macabre sense of humor and his work often dealt with themes of mortality, sexuality, and the human condition. He co-founded the Panic movement with Alejandro Jodorowsky and Fernando Arrabal in the 1960s, a movement that aimed to shock and disrupt traditional bourgeois values through performance art and literature. Some of his most famous works include the novel "The Tenant" which was adapted into a film by Roman Polanski, and his illustrations for "The Complete Stories of Franz Kafka". Topor also collaborated on several films as a writer and actor, including "Fantastic Planet" and "The Return of the Musketeers". Throughout his career, he worked across a range of mediums, exploring the intersection of art and satire.
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Jacques Demy
Jacques Demy (June 5, 1931 Pontchâteau-October 27, 1990 Paris) a.k.a. Jacques, Jacques Louis R M Demy or Jacquot was a French film director, screenwriter, film score composer, actor and lyricist. He had two children, Mathieu Demy and Rosalie Varda.
He died as a result of hiv/aids.
Demy is best known for his films that were set in a vivid and stylized world, featuring characters who spontaneously burst into song and dance. His most famous works include "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg," "The Young Girls of Rochefort," and "Lola." Despite their whimsical and romantic nature, his films often dealt with heavy themes such as death, loss, and the search for identity. In addition to his film work, Demy also wrote and directed for the stage and collaborated with his wife, filmmaker Agnès Varda, on several projects. His legacy continues to inspire filmmakers around the world, and his work is celebrated as an important contribution to the French New Wave movement.
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Claude Louis Séraphin Barizain
Claude Louis Séraphin Barizain (December 6, 1783 Besançon-April 20, 1843 Montmartre) also known as Claude Louis Seraphin Barizain was a French actor.
Barizain began his career in theater in 1801 and quickly gained recognition for his talent. He performed in various theaters throughout France, including the Théâtre des Variétés and the Comédie-Française. He was known for his versatility and ability to play both comedic and dramatic roles. Barizain was also a skilled writer, and authored several plays and adaptations throughout his career. He retired from the stage in 1835 and spent his remaining years in Montmartre, where he passed away in 1843. Despite his lengthy career and contributions to French theater, Barizain's work is largely forgotten today.
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André Reybaz
André Reybaz (October 29, 1929 Paris-April 7, 1989 Le Pré-Saint-Gervais) also known as André Gaston Reybaz was a French actor.
He began his acting career in the early 1950s in French cinema, acting in supporting roles in films such as "The Red Inn" and "The Lovers of Montparnasse". In the mid-1950s, he played more prominent roles in "The Crucible" and "Monte Carlo Baby".
Reybaz was also active in the theatre, performing in productions of "Othello" and "The Marriage of Figaro" among others. He also appeared on French television in several productions, including the popular series "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes".
Outside of acting, Reybaz was known for his passion for cooking and often hosted dinners for his friends and colleagues. He is also remembered for his deep voice and distinctive laugh.
Reybaz passed away in 1989 at the age of 59 from a heart attack. He was survived by his wife and three children.
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Ticky Holgado
Ticky Holgado (June 24, 1944 Toulouse-January 22, 2004 Paris) a.k.a. Joseph Holgado, Tiky Holgado, Rocky James, Tiki Olgado, Ticky, Joseph Tiky, Tiki or Tiky was a French actor and singer. His child is called Jessica Holgado.
He died caused by lung cancer.
Holgado began his career as a singer in the 1960s before transitioning to acting in the 1980s. He appeared in over 70 films and several television shows, working with acclaimed directors such as Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Luc Besson, and Patrice Leconte. He was known for his versatility in playing both comedic and dramatic roles.
Some of Holgado's notable films include "Diva" (1981), "Betty Blue" (1986), "City of Lost Children" (1995), and "Amélie" (2001). He was also a regular collaborator of director Philippe de Broca, appearing in several of his films including "That Man from Rio" (1964) and "On Guard" (1997).
In addition to his acting career, Holgado was also a popular voice actor in France, lending his voice to numerous animated films and television shows such as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1996) and "Hercules" (1997).
Holgado's death in 2004 at the age of 59 was mourned by colleagues and fans alike. He remains a beloved figure in French cinema and is remembered for his charisma, talent, and willingness to take on diverse and challenging roles.
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Jean Vilar
Jean Vilar (March 25, 1912 Sète-May 28, 1971 Sète) was a French actor and theatre director.
He is most famous for founding the Avignon Festival in 1947, which has become one of the most important cultural events in Europe. Vilar was inspired to create the festival by his belief in making theatre accessible to everyone, regardless of social status or economic background. He also founded the Théâtre National Populaire in 1951, which aimed to bring high-quality theatre to audiences all over France. In addition to his work as a director and producer, Vilar was a talented actor himself, and appeared in several films and TV shows throughout his career. He received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to French culture, including the Legion of Honor in 1960.
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Michel Drach
Michel Drach (October 18, 1930 Paris-February 15, 1990 Paris) was a French screenwriter, film director, film producer, actor and television director. He had three children, David Drach, Aurelien Drach and Julien Drach.
Drach began his career in the French film industry in the 1950s, writing and directing short films before moving on to feature films. He gained critical acclaim with his 1969 film "Elise, or Real Life", which won the Prix Louis Delluc and the FIPRESCI Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Drach's films often dealt with social issues and the lives of ordinary people.
In addition to his work in film, Drach was also involved in television, directing several episodes of the popular French crime drama "Les Enquêtes du commissaire Maigret". He was also an accomplished actor, appearing in films such as "La Métamorphose des cloportes" and "Les Tontons flingueurs".
Despite his success, Drach struggled with depression and took his own life in 1990 at the age of 59. His legacy lives on, however, through his acclaimed body of work in the film industry.
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Philippe Khorsand
Philippe Khorsand (February 17, 1948 Paris-January 29, 2008 Paris) otherwise known as Monsieur Khorsand, Philippe Teymour or Philippe was a French actor.
He died in internal bleeding.
Khorsand was born in Paris, France to Iranian parents. He began his acting career in the 1970s and appeared in a number of popular French films, including "La Balance", "Les Misérables", and "The Count of Monte Cristo". He was also a prolific stage actor, performing in numerous theatrical productions throughout his career.
In addition to his work as an actor, Khorsand was also a talented writer and comedian. He wrote several successful one-man shows and was a regular performer on French television and radio.
Khorsand's sudden death in 2008 came as a shock to the French entertainment industry, and he was mourned by fans and fellow performers alike. He was 59 years old at the time of his passing.
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Marcel Bozzuffi
Marcel Bozzuffi (October 28, 1928 Rennes-February 2, 1988 Paris) a.k.a. Marcel Bozzufi, Marcel Bozuffi, Bozzuffi or Bozzu was a French actor, film director, screenwriter and television director.
He died as a result of stroke.
Bozzuffi started his career in the 1950s as a stage actor and eventually transitioned to film acting in the 1960s, appearing in more than 80 films throughout his career. He was perhaps best known for his role as hitman Pierre Nicoli in the classic 1971 film "The French Connection", a performance for which he received critical praise. In addition to acting, Bozzuffi also worked behind the camera as a director and screenwriter. Later in his career, he worked extensively in French television, both in front of and behind the camera. Despite his prolific career, Bozzuffi remained relatively unknown outside of France and Italy.
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Louis Verneuil
Louis Verneuil (May 14, 1893 Paris-November 3, 1952 Paris) also known as Louis Colin du Bocage or Louis Jacques Marie Collin du Bocage was a French actor, screenwriter and playwright.
He died caused by suicide.
Despite Verneuil's tragic end, he had a successful career in the entertainment industry. He acted in films such as "The King" (1936) and "Goodbye Darling" (1938), and wrote screenplays for movies like "Le Plaisir" (1952) and "La Route Napoléon" (1937). Verneuil was also a prolific playwright, with works such as "La Garçonne" (1922) and "Desire" (1928) being particularly popular. He was known for his wit and humor, as well as his sharp social commentary in his works.
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Antoine Vitez
Antoine Vitez (December 20, 1930 Paris-April 30, 1990 Paris) was a French actor, theatre director, poet, translator, writer, activist and voice actor.
Throughout his life, Antoine Vitez played a significant role in the French theatre scene as a director and actor. He was known for his innovative and experimental theatrical productions that challenged conventional norms and pushed the boundaries of the art form. His work as a director was greatly influenced by his mentor, Jean Vilar, who was the founder of the Avignon Theatre Festival.
Apart from his theatrical pursuits, Vitez was also a prolific writer, producing a range of works that included poetry, translations, and essays on the arts. He was also actively involved in politics, advocating for socialist ideals and workers' rights. This activism extended to his involvement in theatre, where he believed in creating works that spoke to contemporary issues and was accessible to all.
In addition to his contributions to theatre and literature, Vitez was also a voice actor, lending his voice to various documentaries and films. His work in this field earned him recognition and praise from the French film industry.
Despite passing away at the age of 59, Antoine Vitez's impact on the French theatre scene continues to be felt to this day, with his legacy inspiring generations of theatre practitioners and artists.
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Sady Rebbot
Sady Rebbot (April 27, 1935 Casablanca-October 12, 1994 Paris) also known as Sadi Rebbot, Saddy Rebbot or Sadi Rebot was a French actor. His children are called Jerome Rebbot, Melanie Rebbot and Guillaume Rebbot.
He died caused by cancer.
Rebbot was of Moroccan-Jewish descent and grew up in the city of Marrakesh before moving to France in the 1950s. He began his career in the 1960s as a stage actor before transitioning to film and television. He appeared in many popular French films, including "La Guerre est finie", "Le Cercle Rouge", and "Les Valseuses".
In addition to acting, Rebbot was also an accomplished playwright, and wrote numerous plays throughout his career. He was known for his ability to portray complex, nuanced characters on stage and screen, and was highly respected in the French acting community.
Despite his success, Rebbot struggled with personal demons throughout his life. He was open about his battles with addiction and depression, and in the later years of his career, he became an advocate for mental health awareness.
Rebbot's legacy continues to be celebrated by both fans and critics, who remember him as a talented and versatile actor who brought depth and humanity to every role he played.
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Edmond T. Gréville
Edmond T. Gréville (June 20, 1906 Nice-May 26, 1966 Nice) also known as Edmond T. Greville, Edmond Greville Thonger, Edmund Greville, Edmond Gréville, Max Montagut or Edmond Gréville Thonger was a French film director, screenwriter, actor, film editor and film journalist.
He died in complication.
Born in Nice, France in 1906, Edmond T. Gréville moved to England when he was a teenager and worked in the film industry in various capacities, including as an actor and screenwriter. He returned to France in the 1930s and began directing films, quickly establishing himself as a prolific and versatile filmmaker. Known for his eclectic tastes and willingness to take risks, Gréville directed films spanning a variety of genres, including romance, comedy, drama, and crime. He was particularly known for his skillful and innovative use of sound and music in his films. Despite his success as a filmmaker, Gréville was also a respected film critic and journalist, writing for a number of publications throughout his career. He died in Nice in 1966 at the age of 59.
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Gottfried Kolditz
Gottfried Kolditz (December 14, 1922 Goldbach-Altenbach-June 15, 1982 Dubrovnik) a.k.a. Dr. Gottfried Kolditz was a French actor, film director and screenwriter. He had one child, Stefan Kolditz.
Throughout his career, Gottfried Kolditz directed and wrote several films in the German Democratic Republic. He began his film career as an assistant director in 1951, and later worked as a director for the state film company in East Germany, DEFA. Some of his notable films include "Piloten" (1966), "Sie nannten ihn Amigo" (1970), and "Das unsichtbare Visier" (1973-1979). Kolditz was known for his work on historical and adventure films, and his films often featured complex and exciting action sequences. In addition to his directing work, he also appeared in several films as an actor. Kolditz passed away in 1982 while on a trip to Dubrovnik. Despite his relatively short career, he left a lasting impact on East German cinema and is remembered as one of the most important filmmakers of his time.
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Gabriel Gabrio
Gabriel Gabrio (January 13, 1887 Reims-October 31, 1946 Berchères-sur-Vesgre) also known as Edouard Gabriel Lelièvre was a French actor.
Gabriel Gabrio began his acting career in the early 1910s in France and quickly rose to fame for his performances in silent films. He appeared in over 80 films throughout his career, including some of the most iconic French films of the 20th century such as "L'Atalante" and "Les Miserables". During World War I, he served in the French army and was wounded several times.
He was noted for his rugged looks and his ability to portray charming, roguish characters on screen. Despite his success in film, he never became a household name and did not achieve the same level of international fame as some of his contemporaries such as Jean Gabin or Marcello Mastroianni.
Gabrio remained active in films up until his death in 1946 at the age of 59.
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Jean Worms
Jean Worms (February 21, 1884 Paris-December 17, 1943 Neuilly-sur-Seine) also known as Gustave Jacques Jean Worms was a French actor.
Worms began his acting career on stage before transitioning to the film industry in the 1910s. He appeared in over 70 films between 1913 and 1943, working with notable directors such as Marcel L'Herbier and Jacques Feyder. Worms was known for his versatility, playing a variety of roles ranging from romantic leads to dramatic villains. In addition to his acting career, he also served as a film producer and director. Worms passed away in Neuilly-sur-Seine in 1943, leaving behind a legacy as one of France's most talented actors of the early twentieth century.
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