French actors who deceased at age 79
Here are 20 famous actors from France died at 79:
Michel Serrault
Michel Serrault (January 24, 1928 Brunoy-July 29, 2007 Équemauville) otherwise known as Michel Lucien Serrault was a French actor. He had two children, Nathalie Serrault and Caroline Serrault.
He died in cancer.
Serrault began his career on stage and later moved on to film and television. He appeared in over 130 films, including major hits such as "La Grande Vadrouille" and "Garçon!". He was widely recognized for his exceptional talent in comedy, often playing eccentric and whimsical characters. Along with his acting career, he was also a talented painter and had several exhibitions of his artwork. In 1999, he was awarded the National Order of Merit in France for his contribution to the arts. Despite his success, he remained humble and was known for his kindness and generosity towards his colleagues and fans.
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Michel Constantin
Michel Constantin (July 13, 1924 Billancourt-August 29, 2003 Draguignan) otherwise known as Constantin Hokloff, Les grandes oreilles or Constantin Hokhloff was a French actor. He had one child, Sophie Constantin.
He died in cancer.
Constantin began his acting career in the 1940s and gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s for his tough guy roles in French crime movies. He also made a number of appearances in international films, including "The Day of the Jackal" and "The French Connection". In addition to his acting work, Constantin was a talented singer and performed the theme song for the French film "Le Clan des Siciliens". He was recognized for his contributions to French cinema with a César Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1981. Despite his tough on-screen persona, Constantin was known for his kind and gentle personality off-screen.
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Jean De Briac
Jean De Briac (August 15, 1891 Paris-October 18, 1970 Los Angeles) otherwise known as Jean deBriac or Jean de Briac was a French actor.
He started his acting career in France in the early 1920s and became known for his work in French silent films. De Briac eventually moved to Hollywood in the 1930s, where he went on to appear in more than 70 American films. He often played supporting roles, including portraying a chef in the classic film "Casablanca" (1942). De Briac was also fluent in several languages and used this skill to play a variety of ethnic roles in films. He continued to act in movies until his death in 1970.
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Georges Moustaki
Georges Moustaki (May 3, 1934 Alexandria-May 23, 2013 Nice) also known as Moustaki, George Moustaki, Yussef Mustacchi, Giuseppe Mustacchi, Moustaki, Georges or Joseph Mustacchi was a French singer, composer, actor, songwriter and film score composer. He had one child, Pia Mustacchi.
He died in emphysema.
Georges Moustaki was born in Egypt to Greek parents and grew up speaking Greek, Arabic and French. He moved to Paris in the 1950s to pursue his career in music and quickly became involved in the French arts scene.
Throughout his career, Moustaki wrote and performed songs in multiple languages, including French, Greek, Italian and Spanish. He collaborated with many famous artists such as Édith Piaf, Barbara, and Serge Gainsbourg. His songs often featured political and social themes, such as his popular song "Le Métèque," which became an anthem for immigrants in France.
Outside of his musical career, Moustaki also acted in films such as "Les Enfants Terribles" (1950) and wrote music scores for films including "Le Sourire" (1960). He was awarded the Legion of Honour in 2011 for his contributions to French culture.
Despite having a lung condition for many years, Moustaki continued to perform until shortly before his death in 2013. He is remembered as a beloved and influential figure in French music and culture.
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Jean Brochard
Jean Brochard (March 12, 1893 Nantes-June 17, 1972 Nantes) also known as Brochard or J. Brochard was a French actor.
He appeared in over 100 films throughout his career that spanned several decades. Brochard is best known for his roles in films such as "The Wages of Fear" (1953), "The Train" (1964), and "The Pink Panther Strikes Again" (1976). He began his acting career on stage before transitioning to film. Brochard was also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to dubbing foreign films into French. He was a prominent figure in French cinema during the mid-20th century and was widely respected by his peers. In addition to his acting career, Brochard was a renowned painter and sculptor. He continued to work in film and art until his death in 1972 at the age of 79.
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Daniel Ivernel
Daniel Ivernel (June 3, 1920 Versailles-November 11, 1999 Paris) also known as Ivernel or Jacques Ivernel was a French actor and teacher.
He died caused by suicide.
Throughout his career, Daniel Ivernel appeared in over 80 films, and is most famously known for his role in the 1949 film, "Baron de l'écluse". He was trained at the Paris Conservatory, and in his later years, taught acting at the National School of Arts and Techniques of Theatre. Despite his success in the film industry, Ivernel struggled with depression and ultimately took his own life in 1999. His legacy lives on through the many films he appeared in, and the countless actors he inspired and taught throughout his career.
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Lucien Baroux
Lucien Baroux (September 21, 1888 Toulouse-May 21, 1968 Soorts-Hossegor) also known as Marcel Lucien Barou was a French actor.
Baroux was one of the most recognizable character actors in French cinema during the mid-twentieth century. He appeared in over one hundred films throughout his career, which spanned over three decades. Baroux was particularly known for his comedic roles, often playing the exasperated and henpecked husband, the lovable grandfather, or the bumbling police officer. He was also an accomplished stage actor, having performed in many theatrical productions both in France and abroad. In addition to his successful acting career, Baroux was also a gifted painter, sculptor, and writer who published several books during his lifetime. He passed away at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy as one of France's most beloved and versatile performers.
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Philippe Castelli
Philippe Castelli (June 8, 1926 Chaville-April 16, 2006 Paris) also known as Castelli was a French actor.
He began his career in the theater in the 1950s and soon made his way to film and television, appearing in over 170 films and TV series throughout his career. Castelli was best known for his roles in French crime dramas, such as "The French Connection" and "Quai des Orfèvres". He was also a prolific voice actor, providing the French dubbing for numerous films including "The Godfather", "The Graduate", and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". In addition to his acting work, Castelli was a member of the French Resistance during World War II and was awarded the Croix de Guerre for his efforts. He was also a passionate art collector and ran a gallery in Paris. Castelli passed away in Paris in 2006 at the age of 79.
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Georges Spanelly
Georges Spanelly (December 25, 1899 Paris-June 30, 1979 Paris) also known as Spanelly or Georges Spanelli was a French actor.
He was known for his work in both French and American films. Spanelly began his career as a stage actor, performing in various productions throughout Paris before transitioning to film. He made his film debut in 1935 and went on to appear in over 60 films, often playing supporting roles.
Some of his notable roles include appearances in the films "The Battle of the Rails" (1946), "Thérèse Raquin" (1953), and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1956). Spanelly also appeared in several American films, including "To Catch a Thief" (1955) and "The Sun Also Rises" (1957).
Outside of his acting career, Spanelly was a skilled painter and photographer. He was particularly interested in capturing the beauty of the French landscape and architecture. He passed away in Paris in 1979 at the age of 79.
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Dominique Zardi
Dominique Zardi (March 2, 1930 Paris-December 13, 2009 Paris) also known as Emile Jean Cohen-Zardi, D. Zardi, Dominique Sardi or Zardi was a French actor, film score composer and writer.
He died caused by cancer.
Zardi was best known for his work in the French film industry, having appeared in over 600 movies in his career. He was particularly well-known for his roles in gangster films and thrillers, often playing tough and sly characters. Some of his notable films include "La Haine" (1995), "Le Cercle Rouge" (1970), and "Le Doulos" (1963). In addition to acting, Zardi composed music scores for several films, such as "La Guerre des Boutons" (1962) and "La Grande Vadrouille" (1966). He also wrote a number of books, including a memoir called "Mémoire en vrac". Despite his prolific career in French cinema, Zardi remained largely unknown outside of France.
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Edmond Ardisson
Edmond Ardisson (October 23, 1904 Marseille-November 30, 1983 Jouarre) otherwise known as Edward Ardisson, Ardisson or E. Ardisson was a French actor.
Throughout his career, Ardisson appeared in over 120 French films, often playing supporting roles alongside some of the most famous actors of his time. He first made a name for himself in the 1930s and 1940s, starring in films like "The Puritan", "The Secret of St. Ives", and "The Pirates of the Bois de Boulogne".
In the 1950s and 1960s, Ardisson continued to act in popular French films, such as "Les Espions", "The Big Show", and "Walking in the Shadow". He also appeared in television programs and theater productions.
Despite his prolific career, Ardisson was known for staying out of the spotlight and keeping a low profile. He rarely gave interviews and was known to be very private. Ardisson passed away in 1983 at the age of 79 in Jouarre, France. Today, he is remembered as a talented character actor and a staple of French cinema.
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Jean Tarride
Jean Tarride (March 15, 1901 Paris-June 5, 1980 Hauts-de-Seine) also known as Jean Abel Robert Tarride was a French film director and actor.
He began his career as an actor in the 1920s and appeared in several French films. Tarride made his directorial debut with the 1932 film "Le Greluchon delices" and went on to direct many successful films throughout the 1930s and 1940s. He worked closely with French film icon Jean Gabin and directed him in several films including "Gueule d'amour" (1937). Tarride's work was highly regarded and earned him critical acclaim, as well as commercial success. He continued to work in the film industry until the late 1960s. In addition to his work in film, Tarride was also an accomplished stage actor and director. He passed away in 1980 at the age of 79.
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Henri Rollan
Henri Rollan (March 23, 1888 Paris-June 23, 1967 Paris) also known as Henri Rollan de la Comédie Française, Henri Martine or Monsieur Rollan was a French actor.
Rollan began his acting career in the early 1910s and soon became a regular on the Parisian stage. He also appeared in several French films during the silent era, including the 1922 version of Les Trois Mousquetaires (The Three Musketeers). In the sound era, Rollan continued to act in films, often playing suave and sophisticated characters. He appeared in over 60 French films during his career, including roles in classics such as La Règle du jeu (The Rules of the Game) and Les Enfants du paradis (Children of Paradise). Rollan was also a member of the prestigious Comédie-Française, a state-funded theatre company in France, where he performed for over 40 years. He was known for his superb delivery of classical French roles, such as Molière's Tartuffe and Eugène Scribe's Adrienne Lecouvreur. Rollan retired from the stage in 1965 and passed away two years later in Paris at the age of 79.
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Jean Murat
Jean Murat (July 13, 1888 Périgueux-January 5, 1968 Aix-en-Provence) was a French actor.
He died as a result of coronary thrombosis.
Jean Murat began his acting career in 1913, working in theaters and eventually transitioned to film in the 1920s. He appeared in over 120 films throughout his career, often portraying charming and romantic leading men. Some of his notable performances include his roles in "Partie de Campagne" (1936) and "La belle équipe" (1936). In addition to acting, Murat also worked as a film director and producer, as well as a screenwriter. He was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1960 for his contributions to French cinema.
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Robert Manuel
Robert Manuel (September 7, 1916 Paris-December 9, 1995 Saint-Cloud) also known as Robert Manuel de la Comédie Française, Roberet Manuel, Robert Emmanuel Bloch, Robert Manuel Sociétaire de la Comédie Française or Robert Manuel de la Comédie-Française was a French actor and film director. His children are called Christine Murillo, Catherine Salviat, Marie-Silvia Manuel and Jean-Baptiste Manuel.
Manuel started his career in theater and became a member of the prestigious Comédie-Française in 1943. He performed in various plays and eventually became a "sociétaire," which is the highest rank in the theater company. Some of his memorable performances include his role as Harpagon in Molière's "The Miser" and as Tartuffe in "Tartuffe."
Aside from his theater work, Manuel also appeared in over 60 films throughout his career, including classics like "Le Doulos" and "The Sucker." He also directed a few films, including "La première fois" and "Le jour de noces."
Manuel was married to actress Suzanne Flon from 1947 until her death in 2005. He passed away in 1995 at the age of 79 in Saint-Cloud, France.
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Michel Etcheverry
Michel Etcheverry (December 16, 1919 Saint-Jean-de-Luz-March 30, 1999 Paris) also known as M. Etcheverry, Etcheverry or Etchevery was a French actor.
He started his acting career in the post-war years and, throughout his lifetime, became a prolific character actor, performing in over 100 movies and television series. Etcheverry played supporting roles in both French and international productions, such as "The Longest Day," "The Return of Martin Guerre," and "The Day of the Jackal.” He was also a regular on French television shows and theater productions. Etcheverry was recognized for his contributions to French cinema in 1983 when he received the National Order of Merit. His unmistakable voice and distinct Basque features made him one of the most recognizable faces in French cinema of the 20th century.
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Henri Cogan
Henri Cogan (September 13, 1924 Paris-September 23, 2003 Boulogne-Billancourt) also known as Henry Cogan or Henri Kagan was a French actor, stunt performer and wrestler. His child is Dany Kogan.
He died as a result of natural causes.
Henri Cogan was born to a Jewish family in Paris, France. Prior to his acting career, he was a wrestler and stunt performer. He began his acting career in the late 1940s and went on to appear in over 150 films and television shows throughout his career. He was often cast in supporting roles, typically playing tough guys, gangsters or henchmen.
Cogan worked with several renowned directors, including Luis Buñuel, Henri Verneuil, Jacques Deray and Claude Chabrol. He appeared in several films with actor Jean-Paul Belmondo, including "Borsalino" and "The Burglars". He also acted in international productions such as "The Longest Day" and "Le Cerveau".
Aside from his acting work, Cogan was known for his expertise in wrestling and martial arts. He performed many of his own stunts in films, which often showcased his physical abilities.
Cogan's son, Dany Kogan, followed in his father's footsteps and became an actor as well. Henri Cogan passed away in 2003 at the age of 79 due to natural causes.
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Rene Fauchois
Rene Fauchois (August 31, 1882 Rouen-February 10, 1962 Paris) also known as René Charles André Fauchois or René Fauchois was a French writer and actor.
He is best known for his plays, which were popular in the early 20th century. Fauchois began his career as an actor in the theater before turning to writing. His first major success came with the play "La Robe Rouge," which was performed at the Théâtre du Gymnase in Paris in 1912. He went on to write several more successful plays, including "Les Mal-Aimés" and "Les Bouffons."
Throughout his career, Fauchois remained active in the theater, both as a writer and an actor. He was a member of the Comédie Française from 1923 until 1944, and also acted in several films, including Marcel L'Herbier's silent film masterpiece "L'Argent" in 1928. In addition to his work for the stage and screen, Fauchois also wrote several novels and memoirs, including "Le Révolté" and "Mémoires d'un Comédien."
Despite his success as a writer and performer, Fauchois remained relatively unknown outside of France. He died in Paris in 1962 at the age of 79. Today he is remembered as one of France's most significant playwrights of the early 20th century.
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Ivan Desny
Ivan Desny (December 28, 1922 Beijing-April 13, 2002 Ascona) also known as Yvan Desny, Ivan Nikolai Desnitskij, Juan Desny, Ivan Nikolai Desnitzky, Иван Десни or Ivan Gums was a French actor.
He died in pneumonia.
Desny was born in Beijing to Russian parents but grew up in France. In the 1940s, he worked as a radio presenter before beginning his acting career in the 1950s. He appeared in over 150 films and television shows, often playing supporting roles. Some of his notable film credits include "Les Amants de Montparnasse" (1958), "The Testament of Orpheus" (1960), and "The Train" (1964). He was also a regular on the television series "Ivanhoe" (1958) and "The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe" (1964-1965). Desny was fluent in several languages, including French, English, German, and Russian. He was awarded the Légion d'honneur, one of France's highest honors, for his contributions to the arts.
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Jean-Dominique de La Rochefoucauld
Jean-Dominique de La Rochefoucauld (June 30, 1931 Paris-February 2, 2011 Paris) a.k.a. J.-D. de la Rochefoucauld was a French writer, film director, actor, television director and screenwriter.
He was a member of the prestigious French aristocratic family, La Rochefoucauld, which has been prominent in French history for over a millennium. Known for his wit and charm, de La Rochefoucauld began his career as an actor and appeared in numerous French films, including Louis Malle's "Le Feu Follet" (1963) and Claude Chabrol's "La Ligne de Demarcation" (1966). He later transitioned to directing and writing, with his most famous work being the film "Un Eléphant ça trompe énormément" (An Elephant Can Be Extremely Deceptive), which he directed and co-wrote in 1976. The film was an international success and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. After a successful career in film, de La Rochefoucauld also directed numerous television shows, and authored several books on the art of filmmaking.
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