Here are 13 famous actors from France died at 72:
Sacha Guitry (February 21, 1885 Saint Petersburg-July 24, 1957 Paris) also known as Guitry, Sacha, Alexandre-Pierre Georges Guitry, Alexandre-Georges Guitry, M. Sacha Guitry, L'Auteur or Sacha was a French screenwriter, film director, actor and playwright.
He was born to a famous actor and actress father and mother respectively, and as such, Guitry's interest in the performing arts was inevitable. He began his career as a stage actor and playwright, writing and performing in a number of successful productions in Paris. Later, he transitioned to film, directing and acting in over 50 films.
Guitry was known for his witty dialogue and penchant for exploring the complexities of human relationships in his works. He often portrayed the upper-class society in his plays and films, which led some to criticize him for romanticizing this world. Despite this, he remained one of the most popular and enduring figures in French cinema and theater until his death in 1957. His legacy continues to influence modern-day filmmakers and theater practitioners alike.
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Jean Gabin (May 17, 1904 Paris-November 15, 1976 Neuilly-sur-Seine) otherwise known as Jean-Alexis Moncorgé, Jean Moncorgé, Alexis Moncourge, Jean-Alexis Moncorge or Jean Alexis Gabin Moncorgé was a French actor, singer, film producer and soldier. His children are Florence Gabin, Valérie Moncorgé and Mathias Moncorgé.
He died as a result of myocardial infarction.
Jean Gabin was one of the most iconic actors of the mid-20th century and is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of French cinema. He began his acting career in the 1920s and went on to appear in over 90 films throughout his career, including classics such as "La Grande Illusion" (1937), "Le Quai des Brumes" (1938), and "La Bête Humaine" (1938).
Gabin was known for his rugged, masculine persona onscreen and was often cast in tough-guy roles, but he was also a versatile actor who could handle a range of genres and characters. He was immensely popular with audiences and was one of the highest-paid actors in France during his prime.
In addition to his acting work, Gabin was also a successful singer and recorded several albums throughout his career, including a collaboration with the composer and pianist Norbert Glanzberg. He was also briefly involved in film production in the 1950s.
Gabin's personal life was marked by a series of marriages and affairs, including a tumultuous relationship with the actress Marlene Dietrich. He was also a decorated veteran of World War II, having served in the French Army and the Free French Forces.
Overall, Jean Gabin remains a beloved figure in French cinema history and his legacy continues to inspire actors and filmmakers around the world.
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Roger Vadim (January 26, 1928 Paris-February 11, 2000 Paris) also known as Roger Vladimir Plemiannikov, R. Vadim, Vadim or Roger Vladimir Igorevich Plemyannikov was a French film director, actor, screenwriter, film producer, journalist, author and television director. He had four children, Christian Vadim, Nathalie Vadim, Vanessa Vadim and Vania Plemiannikov.
He died as a result of lymphoma.
Roger Vadim was best known for his work in the French New Wave cinema movement of the 1960s. He gained international recognition for his directorial debut, "And God Created Woman" (1956), which starred his wife at the time, Brigitte Bardot. Vadim's other notable films include "Blood and Roses" (1960), "Barbarella" (1968), and "Pretty Maids All in a Row" (1971).
In addition to his work in film, Vadim was a successful author, journalist, and television director. He published several novels and worked as a columnist for various publications throughout his career. He directed several TV series and documentaries, including "The Story of O" (1975).
Vadim was known for his numerous romantic relationships throughout his life, including with actresses Catherine Deneuve and Jane Fonda. He also had a reputation for being a playboy and for pushing social boundaries in his personal life and his films.
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Jean Rollin (November 3, 1938 Neuilly-sur-Seine-December 15, 2010 Paris) a.k.a. Robert Xavier, Jean Pierre Sammut, J.A. Laser, Michel Gand, J.A. Lazar, Michael Gentle, Michel Gentil, Jean Michel Rollin Le Gentil or J.A. Lazer was a French film director, writer, actor, film producer, cinematographer, screenwriter and pornographic film actor. He had two children, Carel Rollin and Serge Rollin.
Rollin was known for his distinct style of filmmaking which often featured elements of horror, eroticism, and surrealism. He directed over 30 films in his career, including "The Rape of the Vampire" (1968), "Requiem for a Vampire" (1971), and "The Iron Rose" (1973).
Rollin's early films were heavily influenced by the French New Wave and he often collaborated with fellow directors and actors from this movement. In later years, he became known for his unique approach to horror films, which focused more on atmosphere and mood than on traditional scares.
Aside from his work in film, Rollin was also a prolific writer and published several novels and collections of poetry throughout his life. He was a true icon of French cinema and his influence can still be felt in the work of contemporary filmmakers.
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Louis Daquin (May 20, 1908 Calais-October 2, 1980 Paris) was a French actor, film director and television director. His child is Michel Recanati.
Louis Daquin began his career as an actor in the theatre and later moved on to film directing. He made his directorial debut with the film "Les Yeux Ouverts" in 1946 and went on to direct numerous films and television series in his career. Some of his most notable works include "Gigi" (1948), "Black and White" (1951), and "La Traversée de Paris" (1956).
In addition to feature films, Louis Daquin also directed a number of documentaries, including "Chagall" (1964) and "Matisse" (1970). He was known for his innovative and experimental approach to filmmaking, and his work often explored themes of social justice, poverty, and war.
Louis Daquin was also a prolific television director, and he directed numerous popular television series in France, including "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes" and "Belphégor". He was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1977 in recognition of his contributions to French cinema and television.
Louis Daquin passed away in Paris in 1980 at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy as one of France's most talented and influential film directors.
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Paul Azaïs (May 6, 1902 Paris-November 17, 1974 Paris) also known as Paul François Robert Azaïs, Azaïs, P. Azaïs, Azais or Paul Francis Robert Azaïs was a French actor.
Born in Paris, Azaïs began his acting career in the 1920s in theater productions. He then transitioned to film and appeared in over 100 movies throughout his career. Azaïs was known for his versatility as an actor, and he played a wide range of roles in French cinema. Some of his notable roles include Maurice Martineau in "The Reds" (1938), Colonel Duxelle in "The Fourposter" (1952), and Monsieur Morgan in "The Day and the Hour" (1963).
In addition to his acting career, Azaïs was also a playwright and director of theater productions. He was a member of the Comédie-Française, one of the oldest and most prestigious theater companies in the world. Azaïs received critical acclaim for his work in theater and was awarded numerous prizes throughout his career, including the Legion of Honor in 1950.
Azaïs died in Paris in 1974 at the age of 72. He is remembered as a talented and versatile actor who made significant contributions to French cinema and theater.
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Jean-Pierre Kérien (March 15, 1912 Le Havre-April 9, 1984 Paris) also known as J.P. Kérien, Kérien, Kerien or Jean-Pierre Kerien was a French actor.
He started his acting career in the theater before transitioning to film. Kérien appeared in over 100 films during his career, often playing supporting roles. He worked with famous French directors such as Jean Renoir, Marcel Carné, and Bertrand Tavernier. Some of his notable film credits include, “The Grand Illusion” (1937), “Children of Paradise” (1945), and “The 400 Blows” (1959). Kérien was also part of the French resistance during World War II and was awarded the Croix de guerre for his efforts.
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Serge Nubret (October 6, 1938 Anse-Bertrand-April 19, 2011 Pierrefitte-sur-Seine) was a French bodybuilder and actor. He had three children, Pascale Nubret, Stanley Nubret and Karine Nubret.
Nubret was known for his impressive physique and won numerous bodybuilding competitions throughout his career, including Mr. Europe in 1966 and Mr. Universe in 1976. He was also a very influential figure in the bodybuilding community, developing his own unique training style and promoting a holistic approach to fitness that emphasized overall health and well-being.
In addition to bodybuilding, Nubret was also a skilled actor and appeared in several films throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Some of his most notable roles include appearances in "The Seven Magnificent Gladiators" (1983) and "Lady Oscar" (1979).
After retiring from competition, Nubret continued to lead an active and healthy lifestyle, promoting fitness and wellness through his writing and public speaking. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential and respected figures in the world of bodybuilding.
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Raoul Paoli (November 24, 1887 Courtalain-March 23, 1960 Paris) was a French actor and athlete.
Paoli competed in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics as a member of the French team in the modern pentathlon. He also played rugby for Racing Club de France and was a member of the French national team. In addition to his athletic achievements, Paoli had a successful career as an actor, appearing in over 80 films between 1913 and 1957. He worked with some of French cinema's most celebrated directors, including Jean Cocteau and Marcel Carné. Paoli was also an accomplished stage actor, appearing in productions of works by Molière, Shakespeare, and Racine. He was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1953 for his contributions to French culture.
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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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Jacques Fabbri (July 4, 1925 14th arrondissement of Paris-December 24, 1997 Tourgéville) otherwise known as Jacques Fabri, Jacques Fabricotti or Jacques Claude Fabbricotti was a French actor, screenwriter and film director. He had two children, Clémence Fabbricotti and Catherine Fabbricotti.
Fabbri began his acting career in the 1950s and went on to appear in over 50 films, most notably in the French New Wave classic "Breathless" (1960) directed by Jean-Luc Godard. He also acted in stage productions, including works by Samuel Beckett and Jean Genet. Fabbri later transitioned to directing films in the 1970s, with his debut feature "Le Gang des Otages" (1973) receiving critical acclaim. He continued to direct films and write screenplays throughout his career, and was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1995 for his contributions to French cinema.
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Robert Le Vigan (January 7, 1900 Paris-October 12, 1972 Tandil) otherwise known as Robert-Charles-Alexandre Coquillaud, R. Le Vigan, Le Vigan, Robert Charles Alexandre Coquillaud or Robert Levigan was a French actor.
Robert Le Vigan was born on January 7, 1900 in Paris, France. He started his career in the entertainment industry as a stage actor. He then went on to become a prominent figure in the French film industry during the 1930s. He appeared in over 50 films, including "Les Misérables" (1934), "Les Disparus de Saint-Agil" (1938), and "Douce" (1943).
However, his career was cut short due to his controversial political views. Le Vigan became a supporter of the French fascist movement and expressed his admiration for Adolf Hitler. These views caused his popularity to decline and he was eventually banned from the French film industry. He then moved to Argentina, where he continued to act in films.
Le Vigan died on October 12, 1972 in Tandil, Argentina. Despite his political controversies, he was remembered as a talented actor and a significant figure in French cinema.
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Jean Martinelli (August 15, 1910 Paris-March 13, 1983 Paris) also known as Jean Siegfried Martinet was a French actor and voice actor.
Martinelli began his acting career on the stage in the 1930s before moving on to film in the 1940s. He appeared in over 80 films throughout his career and worked with legendary French directors such as Jean Cocteau and Henri-Georges Clouzot. Martinelli was also highly regarded as a voice actor, dubbing the voices of famous actors such as Clark Gable, Cary Grant, and Humphrey Bogart in French versions of their films. In addition to his acting career, Martinelli also worked as a director and screenwriter. He was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1982 for his contributions to French cinema.
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