French actors who deceased at age 70
Here are 20 famous actors from France died at 70:
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.
He died in myocardial infarction.
Yves Montand was born in Italy and later moved to France where he began his successful career as an entertainer. His rich baritone voice and good looks helped him become a popular singer in France and internationally, known for his renditions of classic French songs such as "Les Feuilles Mortes" and "La Chansonnette".
Montand's acting career was also highly regarded, appearing in numerous films including "The Wages of Fear" and "Z", which earned him a Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival. He also appeared in Hollywood films, including "Let's Make Love" alongside Marilyn Monroe.
Montand had a reputation as a ladies' man and was romantically linked to several famous women, including Simone Signoret, who he eventually married in 1951.
Despite his success, Montand never forgot his working-class roots and remained politically active throughout his life, openly supporting left-wing causes and personalities.
His legacy as a beloved entertainer and cultural icon in France continues to this day, with many streets and public spaces named after him, and his music and films still enjoyed by audiences all over the world.
Read more about Yves Montand on Wikipedia »
Jean Aurel
Jean Aurel (November 6, 1925 Răstolița-August 24, 1996 Paris) also known as J. Aurel was a French film director, screenwriter and actor.
He was born in Romania and moved to France when he was a teenager. He started his career as an actor, appearing in films such as "Sous le ciel de Paris" and "Razzia sur la chnouf." He later transitioned into directing, and his directorial debut was the film "Les pas perdus" in 1964. He went on to direct notable films such as "Les Mauvais coups" and "Le Chat" which was based on a play by Georges Simenon. Aurel also received critical acclaim for his documentary films about famous artists such as Edgar Degas, Pierre Auguste Renoir, and Paul Cézanne. Throughout his career, he was known for his unique visual style and his ability to capture the complexities of human emotions in his films.
Read more about Jean Aurel on Wikipedia »
Paul Préboist
Paul Préboist (February 21, 1927 Marseille-March 4, 1997 Paris) also known as P. Préboist, Paul Preboist or Paul Préboit was a French comedian and actor.
He began his career as a comedian in the 1950s, performing in small theaters and cabarets. He gained national recognition in the 1960s for his roles in popular French films, including "Le Corniaud" and "Les Grandes Vacances." Préboist was known for his comedic timing and his ability to play a wide range of characters, from bumbling sidekicks to suave leading men. He also appeared on television shows, including "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes" and "Les Enquêtes du commissaire Maigret." Préboist continued to work as an actor until his death from a heart attack in 1997, at the age of 70. He is remembered as one of France's most beloved and enduring comedic actors.
Read more about Paul Préboist on Wikipedia »
Lugné-Poe
Lugné-Poe (December 27, 1869 Paris-June 19, 1940 Avignon) a.k.a. Aurelien Lugne-Poe was a French actor.
Lugné-Poe was not only an actor but also a theater director, producer, and playwright. He was known for his avant-garde approach to theater, introducing Symbolist and Surrealist elements into his productions. In 1893, he founded the Théâtre de l'Oeuvre, which became a significant venue for experimental theater in Paris. He worked closely with influential artists such as August Strindberg, Maurice Maeterlinck, and Stéphane Mallarmé. Lugné-Poe also appeared in several films in the 1920s, including "Le Miracle des Loups" and "Les Misérables." He died in Avignon in 1940 at the age of 70.
Read more about Lugné-Poe on Wikipedia »
Charles Langlois
Charles Langlois (April 5, 1692 Paris-April 5, 1762 Sweden) was a French actor.
He was the son of a lawyer and was raised in Paris. Langlois began his acting career in Paris in the early 1700s and quickly became one of the most popular and talented actors of his time. He was known for his ability to play a wide range of characters and his comic timing.
Langlois performed at the Comédie-Française for many years, becoming a member of the prestigious theatrical company in 1719. He also performed at the Opéra-Comique and at various other theaters throughout France.
In 1743, Langlois left France and moved to Sweden, where he became the head of a theater troupe at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm. He continued to act and direct throughout his time in Sweden, and his performances were well-received and highly regarded.
Langlois passed away on his 70th birthday in 1762, and his legacy as an actor and performer continues to be celebrated to this day.
Read more about Charles Langlois on Wikipedia »
Claude Esteban
Claude Esteban (July 26, 1935 Paris-April 10, 2006 Paris) was a French poet, actor and theatre director.
He was born to a Spanish father and a Greek mother, and spent his childhood in Morocco. Esteban studied philosophy and literature in Paris, where he developed his interest in the arts. He published his first book of poetry, "La Saison dévastée," in 1969, which won him the prestigious Mallarmé Prize. He went on to publish numerous collections of poetry and was widely regarded as one of the most significant poets of his generation.
In addition to his writing career, Esteban was also involved in theatre as an actor and director, working in both Paris and New York. He was a member of the influential Paris-based theatre company, Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, where he worked alongside fellow artists Peter Brook and Jean-Claude Carrière.
Throughout his life, Esteban remained deeply connected to his multicultural heritage, and his poetry often touched on themes of exile, identity, and cultural displacement. His work has been translated into numerous languages and has had a lasting impact on the literary world.
Read more about Claude Esteban on Wikipedia »
Henry Roussel
Henry Roussel (November 17, 1875 Paris-February 13, 1946 Paris) a.k.a. Henry-Roussell, Henry-Roussel, Henri Roussel, Henri Roussell, Henry Roussell, Henri Russell or Henri Rousselle was a French screenwriter, film director and actor.
He began his career in the film industry as a screenwriter in the early 1900s and went on to direct over 80 films, starting in 1912. Roussel was especially known for his work in the silent film era, and his films often featured popular actors of the time such as Max Linder and René Navarre.
In addition to his work in film, Roussel was also a writer of crime novels under the pen name Henry Roussel-Lagorce. He published several books, including "Le Petit Café", "La Cigale et la Fourmi", and "Le Mort ressuscité".
After the outbreak of World War II, Roussel's film career slowed down significantly, and he focused more on writing. He continued to work until his death in 1946 at the age of 70. Today, Henry Roussel is remembered as one of early French cinema's most important figures.
Read more about Henry Roussel on Wikipedia »
Sacha Pitoëff
Sacha Pitoëff (March 11, 1920 Geneva-July 21, 1990 Paris) a.k.a. Sacha Pitoeff or Alexandre Pitoëff was a French actor and theatre director.
He was born into a family of Russian artists and was initially trained as a painter. However, he soon discovered his love for the stage and started his acting career in the 1940s. He performed in a variety of plays, including those by Bertolt Brecht and Jean Cocteau.
In addition to acting, Pitoëff was also a renowned theater director, known for his experimental and avant-garde productions. He founded and directed his own theater company, the Theatre de la Cité, which gained fame for its unique style and innovative performances.
Throughout his career, Pitoëff received numerous awards and accolades for his work in theater and cinema. He also appeared in several films, including Jean-Luc Godard's "Alphaville" and Luis Buñuel's "The Milky Way".
Pitoëff continued to work until his death in 1990, leaving behind a legacy as one of France's most influential and pioneering theater creators.
Read more about Sacha Pitoëff on Wikipedia »
Claude Miller
Claude Miller (February 20, 1942 Paris-April 4, 2012 Paris) otherwise known as Claude Miler was a French screenwriter, film director, actor and film producer. He had two children, Nathan Miller and Joséphine Miller.
He died in cancer.
Claude Miller's career began in the 1960s, working as an assistant director on films by Jean-Luc Godard and François Truffaut. He went on to direct his own films, including "The Best Way to Walk" (1976), which won the Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival, and "The Accompanist" (1992), which was nominated for a César Award. Miller was known for his ability to create complex characters and explore themes of family dynamics, memory, and loss. He also worked as a mentor to aspiring filmmakers, teaching screenwriting and directing at the Fémis film school in Paris. In addition to his film work, Miller was an accomplished stage director, working on productions in both Paris and New York. His contributions to the world of cinema earned him numerous accolades, including the Legion of Honour in 2006.
Read more about Claude Miller on Wikipedia »
Ray Ventura
Ray Ventura (April 16, 1908 Paris-March 30, 1979 Palma, Majorca) a.k.a. Raymond V. Ventura or Raymond Ventura was a French film producer, actor, film score composer and musician.
He was known for his contribution to the French jazz scene in the 1930s as the leader of the Ray Ventura et ses Collégiens band. The group's unique style of music, which blended jazz with French lyrics and comedic elements, gained widespread popularity in France and even earned them international recognition. Apart from his musical endeavors, Ventura also acted in several films such as "Quai des Orfèvres" (1947) and composed music scores for movies like "Le Schpountz" (1938). He later founded his own film production company, Les Films Ray Ventura, which produced successful films like "Ali Baba et les quarante voleurs" (1954) and "Les 7 péchés capitaux" (1962). Ventura's legacy continues to influence French popular culture to this day.
Read more about Ray Ventura on Wikipedia »
Roger Pigaut
Roger Pigaut (April 8, 1919 Vincennes-December 24, 1989 Paris) a.k.a. Roger Paul Louis Pigot was a French actor, film director and screenwriter.
He died as a result of myocardial infarction.
Pigaut started his career as an actor, appearing in notable French films such as "Les Enfants Terribles" (1950) and "Le Salaire de la Peur" (1953). He then moved on to directing, his most recognized film being "Le Tonnerre sur la Cité" (1956), which was entered into the 1957 Cannes Film Festival. Pigaut also wrote several screenplays, including "Les Rendez-vous de Juillet" (1949) and "Maigret et l'Affaire Saint-Fiacre" (1959). He was known for his work in the French New Wave movement, collaborating with filmmakers such as Jean-Luc Godard and François Truffaut. Despite his contributions to cinema, Pigaut remains relatively unknown outside of France.
Read more about Roger Pigaut on Wikipedia »
Gérard Blain
Gérard Blain (October 23, 1930 Paris-December 17, 2000 Paris) also known as Gerard Blain or Blain Gérard Ernest Zéphirin was a French film director, actor and screenwriter. His child is Paul Blain.
Blain started his career as an actor in the 1950s, appearing in films such as "Les Cousins" and "A bout de souffle". Later, he turned to directing and made several films in the 1960s, including "Les Amis" and "Une Aussi Longue Absence". Blain's films were known for their realistic portrayal of working-class life in France. In addition to his film work, Blain was also a prolific television director, directing episodes of "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes" and "Les Enquêtes du commissaire Maigret". Despite his success as a director, Blain continued to act in films throughout his career, appearing in over 60 films in total. He passed away in 2000 at the age of 70.
Read more about Gérard Blain on Wikipedia »
Jérôme Savary
Jérôme Savary (June 27, 1942 Buenos Aires-March 4, 2013 Levallois-Perret) also known as Jerome Savary was a French screenwriter, film director and actor. He had four children, Robinson Savary, Manon Savary, Nina Savary and Beatriz-Carmen Savary.
He died in cancer.
Jérôme Savary was best known for his contributions to French theater, particularly his role as the founder and director of the Parisian theater group, "Théâtre National Populaire." He also directed a number of operas and musicals, including "Chicago" and "Gypsy." Savary was a gifted performer himself, often starring in his own productions, and he was widely recognized for his ability to blend various dramatic styles and musical genres.
Savary was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but he moved to France with his mother at a young age. After studying at the National School of Fine Arts in Paris, he began his career in the performing arts, first as an actor and later as a director and screenwriter. He was awarded the prestigious Molière Award in France for his work in theater.
In addition to his contributions to French culture, Savary was known for his political activism, particularly his support for leftist political causes. He was a vocal critic of censorship in the arts and frequently spoke out against government policies that he saw as oppressive or discriminatory. Even after his death, Savary's legacy continues to inspire and influence artists in France and beyond.
Read more about Jérôme Savary on Wikipedia »
James Mason
James Mason (February 3, 1889 Paris-November 7, 1959 Hollywood) otherwise known as James P. Mason, Jimmy Mason, James Mason, James P. "Jim" Mason or Jim Mason was a French actor.
He died in myocardial infarction.
James Mason was born in Paris in 1889 to a Scottish father and an English mother. He spent much of his childhood in Scotland before attending Cambridge University. After serving in World War I, he began his acting career in London's West End. He gained international recognition for his roles in films such as "The Seventh Veil," "Odd Man Out," and "A Star is Born."
Mason was known for his charming and suave on-screen persona, as well as his distinctive voice. He received multiple award nominations throughout his career, including three Academy Award nominations. In addition to acting, Mason also worked as a producer and director. He was married twice and had two children. Mason passed away in 1959 in Hollywood.
Read more about James Mason on Wikipedia »
Clément Duhour
Clément Duhour (December 11, 1912 Anglet-January 3, 1983 Hauts-de-Seine) was a French actor and film producer.
He started his acting career in the early 1930s and appeared in more than 100 films over the course of his career. He was known for his roles in films such as "Josette" (1937), "The Children of Paradise" (1945), and "The Lavender Hill Mob" (1951).
In addition to acting, Duhour was also a successful film producer, producing more than 20 films between 1948 and 1971. He worked with many well-known French directors, including Jean Renoir and Marcel Carné.
Throughout his career, Duhour was recognized for his contributions to French cinema. He was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1977 for his work in the arts. He remained active in the film industry until his death in 1983.
Read more about Clément Duhour on Wikipedia »
Raúl Ruiz
Raúl Ruiz (July 25, 1941 Puerto Montt-August 19, 2011 Paris) also known as Raúl Ernesto Ruiz Pino, Raul Ruiz, Raúl Ruis, Raul Ruíz, Raoul Ruiz or Raul Ruiz Pino was a French film director, screenwriter, television director, writer, film producer, film editor, actor, cinematographer and production designer.
He died caused by lung infection.
Raúl Ruiz was born in Puerto Montt, Chile and spent much of his life traveling around the world due to political turmoil in his home country. He began his career as a filmmaker in Chile, but after the military coup in 1973, he was forced to flee and eventually settled in France where he became a leading figure in the French film industry.
Ruiz was known for his innovative and unconventional approach to filmmaking, often incorporating surrealism and magic realism into his work. He made over 100 films during his career, including features, shorts, and documentaries. Some of his most notable films include "Time Regained," "Three Lives and Only One Death," and "Mysteries of Lisbon."
In addition to his work as a filmmaker, Ruiz was also a prolific writer and published several books on film theory and aesthetics. He was awarded numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the French Legion of Honor and the National Order of Merit.
Ruiz's death in 2011 was a great loss to the film world, but his legacy has continued to inspire and influence new generations of filmmakers around the world.
Read more about Raúl Ruiz on Wikipedia »
Frédéric de Pasquale
Frédéric de Pasquale (March 28, 1931 Paris-December 17, 2001 Rouen) a.k.a. Frederic de Pasquale, Frederic de Pascale, Frederic De Pascuale or Frédéric de Pascuale was a French actor.
Born in Paris, Frédéric de Pasquale began his acting career in the late 1950s, appearing in small roles in various French films. Some of his notable film credits include "Les Yeux sans visage" (1960), "That Man from Rio" (1964), and "The Brain" (1969).
In addition to his film work, de Pasquale also appeared in numerous French television shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including popular series such as "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes" and "Les Saintes Chéries."
Despite his extensive acting career, de Pasquale remained largely unknown outside of France. He continued to act into the 1990s, appearing in films such as "Le Fils préféré" (1994) and "The Fanatic" (1997).
De Pasquale passed away in Rouen, France in December 2001 at the age of 70.
Read more about Frédéric de Pasquale on Wikipedia »
Florestan I, Prince of Monaco
Florestan I, Prince of Monaco (October 10, 1785 Paris-June 20, 1856 Paris) also known as Prince of Monaco, Duke of Valentinois or Tancrède Florestan Roger Louis Grimaldi was a French actor. He had two children, Charles III, Prince of Monaco and Princess Florestine of Monaco.
Despite being born into the noble Grimaldi family of Monaco, Florestan I was initially more interested in the arts and pursued a career in acting in his early years. He performed under the stage name "Baron de Massais" and was noted for his comedic roles. However, his life took a different turn when his father, Honoré IV, Prince of Monaco, fell ill and Florestan was forced to return and assume the responsibilities of the principality in 1814. He reformed the government and modernized the legal system, as well as investing in industries such as gambling and tourism to boost the economy of Monaco. Florestan I also commissioned the construction of the famous Monte Carlo Casino, which to this day remains a major attraction in Monaco. Despite his many accomplishments as a ruler, Florestan I's legacy as an actor also lives on - he is remembered as the only ruling prince of Monaco to have had a career in the performing arts.
Read more about Florestan I, Prince of Monaco on Wikipedia »
Robert Beauvais
Robert Beauvais (March 6, 1911 Paris-February 23, 1982 Boulogne-Billancourt) was a French actor, screenwriter, journalist, writer and radio producer.
He started his career as an actor in the 1930s, appearing in several films including "Les Amants terribles" and "Le Trio infernal". He later transitioned to screenwriting, and became known for his work on films such as "The Truth" and "A Woman Is A Woman". Beauvais was also a respected journalist, writing for publications such as "Le Soir" and "Paris-Match". In addition to his work in film and journalism, Beauvais was a prolific writer, publishing several books including "Les Professionnels", which was adapted into a film in 1955. He was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1969 for his contributions to French culture.
Read more about Robert Beauvais on Wikipedia »
Georges Ulmer
Georges Ulmer (February 16, 1919 Copenhagen-September 29, 1989 Marseille) a.k.a. Jorgen Frederick Ulmer, Jorge Ulmer or Jørgen Frederik Ulmer was a French actor. His child is called Laura Ulmer.
In addition to his career as an actor, Georges Ulmer was also a singer and songwriter. He started out performing in cafes and music halls before moving on to record music and eventually become a radio and television host. One of his most famous songs is "Pigalle" which was a huge hit in France in the 1940s. Ulmer was also known for his collaborations with famous French artists such as Edith Piaf and Charles Trenet. In his later years, he continued to perform and record music while also acting in film and television. Despite being born in Denmark, Georges Ulmer spent most of his life in France and became a prized figure of the French entertainment industry.
Read more about Georges Ulmer on Wikipedia »