French actors who deceased at age 80
Here are 21 famous actors from France died at 80:
Jean Richard
Jean Richard (April 18, 1921 Bessines-December 12, 2001 Senlis) otherwise known as Richard was a French actor. He had two children, Élisabeth Richard and Jean-Pierre Richard.
After studying acting in Paris, Jean Richard made his stage debut in 1941. He then went on to act in several successful French films, including "Le Salaire de la Peur" ("The Wages of Fear") in 1953 and "Les Misérables" in 1958. However, Richard was most well-known for his work on television. He starred in a number of popular French TV shows, including "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes" and "Les Enquêtes du Commissaire Maigret," in which he played the titular character. Richard was also heavily involved in the theatre scene throughout his career, both as an actor and as the director of the Théâtre des Variétés in Paris. He was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1986 for his contributions to French culture.
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Michel Simon
Michel Simon (April 9, 1895 Geneva-May 30, 1975 Bry-sur-Marne) also known as François Michel Simon or François Joseph Simon was a French actor and screenwriter. He had one child, François Simon.
He died in pulmonary embolism.
Simon began his career in theater during the 1920s and gradually transitioned into film acting in the 1930s. He is remembered for his captivating performances in over 100 films, including "La Chienne," "L'Atalante," and "The Train." Simon also wrote several screenplays, including one for the film "Boudu Saved from Drowning." He was known for his unconventional looks and often played eccentric or morally ambiguous characters. In addition to his successful acting career, Simon was a painter and his works were exhibited in galleries throughout France. His legacy in French cinema continues to be celebrated today.
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Lucien Callamand
Lucien Callamand (April 1, 1888 Marseille-December 3, 1968 Nice) also known as Lucien Marie Pascal Eugène Callamand, Callamand or Paul Lack was a French actor.
He started his acting career in the silent film era and appeared in over 100 films throughout his career. Callamand worked with some of the most notable directors of his time, including Marcel L'Herbier, René Clair, and Jean Renoir. He was recognized for his versatile acting skills and his ability to effortlessly transition between comedic and dramatic roles. In addition to his film work, Callamand also acted in theater productions and was a member of the prestigious Comédie-Française.
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Claude Chabrol
Claude Chabrol (June 24, 1930 Sardent-September 12, 2010 Paris) a.k.a. Claude Henri Jean Chabrol, The Balzac of Cinema or The French Hitchcock was a French film director, actor, screenwriter, television director, film producer, critic and soldier. His children are Thomas Chabrol, Matthieu Chabrol and Jean-Yves Chabrol.
Throughout his career, Claude Chabrol directed over 70 films and television programs, becoming one of the leading figures of the French New Wave movement. He was known for his subtle and sophisticated psychological thrillers and murder mysteries that explored the dark and often sinister side of human nature. Some of his most famous films include "Les Biches," "Le Boucher," "La Cérémonie," and "Merci pour le chocolat."
Chabrol also worked as a film critic for the influential French film magazine Cahiers du Cinéma in the 1950s and 1960s, where he championed the work of directors like Alfred Hitchcock and Fritz Lang. In addition to his film work, Chabrol was also a prolific writer and published several novels and essays on film.
Chabrol's numerous contributions to the film industry were recognized with numerous awards throughout his career, including the Best Director award at the 1978 Cannes Film Festival for his film "Violette Nozière." He was awarded the Legion of Honour in 2004 for his cultural achievements and contributions to French cinema.
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Darry Cowl
Darry Cowl (August 27, 1925 Vittel-February 14, 2006 Neuilly-sur-Seine) a.k.a. Darryl Cowl, Darry-Cowl or André Darricau was a French actor, musician, film score composer and author.
He died caused by lung cancer.
Darry Cowl is known for his versatile talent which included not only acting but also musical performances and composing. He appeared in over 80 films throughout his career and was a regular on French television. Cowl's comedic performances were especially popular, and he was often cast as the bumbling but likable character. In addition to his work in film and television, Cowl wrote several books and composed scores for a number of French films. He also had a successful career as a jazz pianist, collaborating with prominent musicians like Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. Despite his success in entertainment, Cowl was known for his modesty and dedication to his craft.
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Bruno Cremer
Bruno Cremer (October 6, 1929 Saint-Mandé-August 7, 2010 Paris) also known as Bruno Jean Marie Crémer, Jean-Marie Drillon, Bruno Jean Marie Cremer or Bruno Crémer was a French actor. He had three children, Marie-Clémentine Cremer, Stéphane Cremer and Constance Cremer.
He died as a result of tongue cancer.
Cremer began his acting career in the 1950s and went on to appear in a number of films and television shows throughout his career. However, he is perhaps best known for his role as Commissaire Jules Maigret in the French television series "Maigret". Cremer played the role from 1991 to 2005, earning critical acclaim and a large fan following.
In addition to his work onscreen, Cremer also worked as a director and producer. He was a member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000 and was awarded the Legion of Honour in 2003.
Cremer was known for his deep voice and stoic presence onscreen. He was admired by many of his fellow actors and was considered one of the greats of French cinema. His death was widely mourned by fans and colleagues alike.
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Philippe Clay
Philippe Clay (March 7, 1927 14th arrondissement of Paris-December 13, 2007 Issy-les-Moulineaux) also known as Clay, Philippe, Phillippe Clay, Philippe Mathevet or Phil Clay was a French singer, actor and mime artist.
Clay began his career as a mime artist in the 1940s, performing in and around Paris. He transitioned to singing in the 1950s, becoming a popular cabaret performer and recording artist. His music often featured witty and risqué lyrics, and he became known for his charismatic stage presence and deep, distinctive voice.
In addition to his music career, Clay appeared in several films throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including the iconic French New Wave film "Breathless" (1960). He also continued to perform on stage, both in France and internationally, and was renowned for his theatrical performances.
Clay's music and performances have been a source of inspiration for many artists, and his work has had a lasting impact on French culture. He is remembered as one of the most influential figures of French cabaret, and a true icon of French entertainment.
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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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Noël Roquevert
Noël Roquevert (December 18, 1892 Doué-la-Fontaine-November 6, 1973 Douarnenez) also known as Noël Louis Raymond Bénévent, Roquevert, Noël Bénévent or N. Roquevert was a French actor.
He began his acting career on the stage and later transitioned to film in the 1930s. Roquevert appeared in over 180 films throughout his career and was known for his versatile acting abilities, often playing both comedic and dramatic roles. He worked with prominent French directors such as Jacques Tati and Jean Renoir. Roquevert was also a member of the French Resistance during World War II, using his acting skills to forge identification cards for resistance fighters. After the war, he continued his successful acting career and was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1961.
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Georges Rouquier
Georges Rouquier (June 23, 1909 Lunel-Viel-December 19, 1989 Paris) was a French screenwriter, film director and actor.
He began his career in the film industry as an actor in the 1930s and gradually moved on to become a filmmaker in the 1940s. He is best known for his documentary film Pour le Mistral (1956), which earned him praise for its realist depiction of life in a rural French village. In addition to his work in film, Rouquier was also involved in theater and wrote several plays. He was a member of the French Resistance during World War II and received the prestigious Croix de Guerre for his service to the nation. Later in his life, he became a professor of film studies at the University of Paris and authored several books on filmmaking. Despite his contributions to French cinema, Rouquier remains relatively unknown outside of his native country.
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Jean Galland
Jean Galland (May 28, 1887 Laval-July 18, 1967 Évian-les-Bains) also known as Jean Charles Pierre Galland, Galland or Jean Gallot was a French actor.
He began his acting career in the early 1900s on stage, but eventually transitioned to film in the 1920s. He appeared in over 50 films throughout his career, often playing aristocratic or authority figures. Some of his notable film roles include the Marquis de Croisenois in "La Ronde" (1950), the King of France in "Fanfan la Tulipe" (1952), and the Duke of Mantua in "The Adventures of Casanova" (1948). Galland was also a decorated World War I veteran, receiving the Croix de Guerre for his service. In addition to acting, he was a director and producer, and helped found the French National Actors' Union in 1936.
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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.
He died in cerebral hemorrhage.
José Giovanni was born to Italian immigrants in Paris, France. He had a difficult childhood and was involved in petty crime from a young age. He spent time in juvenile detention and was later incarcerated in adult prisons. While in prison, he began writing and discovered his talent for storytelling.
After his release, José Giovanni turned to a career in film and television. He wrote and directed several critically acclaimed films, including "The Thugs" and "Two Men in Town." He also wrote novels and memoirs about his experiences in prison, which were equally well-received.
Despite his success, José Giovanni never forgot his past and was a vocal advocate for prison reform. He believed that the justice system should focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment, and he worked to raise awareness about the inhumane conditions in French prisons.
Throughout his career, José Giovanni was respected and admired for his talent and his dedication to social justice. He remains an important figure in French film history and his contributions are still celebrated today.
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Gus Leonard
Gus Leonard (February 4, 1859 Marseille-March 27, 1939 Los Angeles) also known as Amédée Théodore Gaston Lerond or Pop Leonard was a French actor.
He began his acting career in Europe and later traveled to the United States to appear in the vaudeville circuit. Leonard became a popular character actor in Hollywood during the silent film era, appearing in over 100 films. He was best known for his comedic roles and his ability to portray eccentric characters. Some of his notable film credits include "The Kid" (1921), "The Big Parade" (1925), "The General" (1926), and "The Cat and the Canary" (1927). Despite his success as an actor, Leonard spent his later years in relative obscurity and died in Los Angeles in 1939.
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Marc Eyraud
Marc Eyraud (March 1, 1924 Saint-Étienne-February 15, 2005 Banyuls-sur-Mer) was a French actor.
He began his career on stage and eventually transitioned to film, appearing in over 70 movies throughout his career. Notably, he worked with several renowned directors, including Jean Renoir, Claude Chabrol, and Claude Sautet. He was awarded the National Order of Merit in 2001 for his contributions to French theater and cinema. Eyraud was also a talented painter and exhibited his artwork in several galleries throughout France. Despite a prolific career in film and theater, he remained dedicated to his hometown of Saint-Étienne, where he established a cultural center to promote the arts. Eyraud passed away in 2005 at the age of 80.
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André Calmettes
André Calmettes (August 18, 1861 Paris-March 14, 1942 Paris) was a French film director and actor.
He was a pioneer in the film industry, directing and producing over 50 silent films from 1908 to 1925. Calmettes was known for his adaptations of classic literary works, such as "The Three Musketeers" (1921) and "Le Comte de Monte-Cristo" (1913). In addition to his work as a filmmaker, he was also an accomplished stage actor, performing in France and England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Calmettes was a founding member of the Société des Cinéromans, an organization that specialized in making film adaptations of popular novels. Despite his significant contributions to the film industry, Calmettes' work has largely been overshadowed by the more well-known directors of his time.
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Serge Sauvion
Serge Sauvion (February 18, 1929 Paris-February 13, 2010 Hauts-de-Seine) also known as Serge Philippe José Sauvion was a French actor.
He appeared in over 130 films and television shows throughout his career, including popular French classics such as "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" and "Shoot the Piano Player". Sauvion often played supporting roles, but was recognizable for his distinct voice and imposing presence on screen. Outside of acting, he was a regular presenter on French radio and television programs, and was known for his distinctive voice-over work in commercials and documentaries. Sauvion continued to act well into his seventies, and died in 2010 at the age of 80.
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Michel Carré
Michel Carré (February 7, 1865 Paris-August 11, 1945 Paris) a.k.a. Don Miguel Cuadrado, Michel Antoine Carré or Michel Carré fils was a French film director, screenwriter and actor.
Over the course of his career, Carré directed and wrote scripts for over 30 films. He began his career in the theater, where he wrote plays and acted before transitioning to film. In addition to his work in the film industry, Carré was also known for his activism and involvement in socialist and anarchist movements in France. He founded a socialist newspaper in the 1890s and worked for various worker-run publications throughout his life. Toward the end of his career, he returned to the theater and directed a number of successful productions in Paris. Despite his contributions to French culture, Carré remains a relatively obscure figure outside of film and theater aficionados.
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Sacha Briquet
Sacha Briquet (April 16, 1930 Neuilly-sur-Seine-July 17, 2010 Deauville) also known as Alexandre Edouard Albert Briquet was a French actor.
He began his acting career in the 1950s and appeared in more than 60 films throughout his career. Some of his notable roles include Monsieur Clément in "Le Grand Blond avec une chaussure noire" (The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe) and Monsieur Hervé in "Le Dîner de Cons" (The Dinner Game). Briquet also acted in several television shows and theater productions. He was nominated for a César Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1988 for his role in "Le Grand Chemin" (The Grand Highway). Outside of acting, Briquet was a well-known collector and dealer of antique furniture, and he also served as the president of the Association des amis du Musée national de la céramique de Sèvres. Briquet passed away in 2010 at the age of 80.
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Maurice Escande
Maurice Escande (November 14, 1892 Paris-February 11, 1973 Paris) a.k.a. sociétaire de la Comédie Française Maurice Escande, Escande, Escande Sociétaire de la Comédie Française, Maurice Escande de la Comédie Française or Maurice Escande sociétaire de la Comédie Française was a French actor.
Escande was born in Paris, France and studied at the Comédie Française, where he became a sociétaire in 1921. He played many classical roles, such as Othello, Cyrano de Bergerac, and Hamlet. Escande was also recognized for his work in contemporary French theater and appeared in several films, including La Symphonie Pastorale (1946) and Le Plaisir (1952). In addition to his work on stage and screen, Escande was a noted director and producer, and was awarded the Legion of Honor for his contributions to French culture. He passed away in Paris in 1973 at the age of 80.
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Guy Henri
Guy Henri (January 6, 1922-July 9, 2002 France) also known as Guy-Henry or Guy Henry was a French actor.
Guy Henri was born in Marseille, France, and began his acting career in the 1940s. He appeared in over 50 films throughout his career, including "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1956) and "The Four Musketeers" (1974). He was also known for his work on stage, where he performed in productions of plays such as "Hamlet" and "Macbeth". In addition to his work in film and theater, Guy Henri was also a talented voice actor, lending his voice to several animated films and television shows. He passed away in 2002 at the age of 80.
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Jean Mitry
Jean Mitry (November 7, 1907 Soissons-January 18, 1988 La Garenne-Colombes) also known as Jean-René-Pierre Goetgheluck Le Rouge Tillard des Acres de Presfontaines or Jean Letort was a French film director, film editor, screenwriter and actor.
Born in Soissons, France, Jean Mitry was interested in film from an early age, and went on to study at the Institute of Advanced Cinematographic Studies in Paris. He became an influential figure in the development of film theory, and authored several seminal works on the subject, including "The Aesthetics and Psychology of the Cinema."
In addition to his work as a filmmaker and writer, Mitry was also a passionate collector of films, amassing a vast collection of prints and artifacts over the course of his career. He was a key figure in the establishment of the Cinémathèque française, and played a major role in preserving countless films that might otherwise have been lost or destroyed.
Despite his many achievements, Mitry remained a modest and unassuming figure throughout his life, and devoted himself tirelessly to the study and preservation of film as an art form. He passed away in La Garenne-Colombes in 1988, leaving behind a rich legacy of work that continues to inspire and influence filmmakers, scholars, and cinephiles around the world.
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