French actors who deceased in 1959
Here are 12 famous actors from France died in 1959:
Gérard Philipe
Gérard Philipe (December 4, 1922 Cannes-November 25, 1959 Paris) a.k.a. Gerard Philipe, Gérard Philippe, Gerard Philippe, Gérard Philip or Gérard Philipe du Théatre National Populaire was a French actor. His children are called Anne-Marie Philipe and Olivier Philipe.
Philipe is widely considered to be one of the greatest French actors of all time. He began his acting career in the theatre, joining the prestigious Comédie-Française in 1944. He quickly became known for his intense and passionate performances, particularly in classic French plays such as "Cyrano de Bergerac" and "Hamlet."
In the 1950s, Philipe transitioned to film, starring in a number of successful movies such as "Fanfan la Tulipe" and "Les Grandes Manœuvres." He was particularly adept at portraying complex and tortured characters, and his performances earned him critical acclaim both in France and internationally.
Sadly, Philipe's life was cut short when he died of liver cancer at the age of just 36. Despite his early death, he has continued to be remembered as a legend of French cinema and theatre, and his influence can still be seen in the work of many actors today.
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Boris Vian
Boris Vian (March 10, 1920 Ville-d'Avray-June 23, 1959 Paris) a.k.a. Vernon Sullivan, Vian, Boris, Dr. Boris Vian, Bison Ravi, Baron Visi or Brisavion was a French singer, journalist, playwright, writer, engineer and actor. He had one child, Patrick Vian.
Boris Vian was a multi-talented artist who actively participated in the avant-garde cultural scene in France after World War II. He is often associated with the existentialist movement and the jazz culture of the time. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Vian earned a degree in engineering and worked for a time as a translator for the US Air Force. he was also involved in political activism, campaigning against the Algerian War and advocating for nuclear disarmament. His written works spanned various genres, including novels, short stories, poetry, and plays, with several of his works being adapted for film. Vian's legacy has had a lasting impact on French counterculture and continues to inspire artists and creators around the world.
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Henri Vidal
Henri Vidal (November 26, 1919 Royat-December 10, 1959 Paris) a.k.a. Henry Vidal or Henri Lucien Raymond Vidal was a French actor.
Vidal began his acting career on stage before transitioning to film in the late 1940s. He gained critical acclaim for his roles in films such as "Les Amants de Montparnasse," "Les Jeux sont faits," and "The Law Is the Law." Vidal often played charismatic and charming leading men, but also showcased his dramatic range in more serious roles.
Aside from his acting career, Vidal was a noted athlete and was even a member of the French national fencing team. He also served in the French Army during World War II.
Vidal's life was cut short when he died at the age of 40 from a heart attack while filming "The Truth" alongside Brigitte Bardot. He was survived by his wife Michèle Morgan, also a famous French actress, and their two children.
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Yves Deniaud
Yves Deniaud (December 11, 1901 Paris-December 7, 1959 Le Vésinet) a.k.a. Deniaud or Yves Hyacinthe Deniaud was a French actor.
Throughout his career, Yves Deniaud appeared in more than 70 films. He is best known for his comedic roles in films including "Les Aventures de Rabbi Jacob" and "La Vie à Deux". Deniaud began his career as a stage actor and also worked in radio before transitioning to film in the 1930s. In addition to acting, he also wrote screenplays for several films. Deniaud passed away in 1959 at the age of 57 due to cancer.
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Aimé Clariond
Aimé Clariond (April 10, 1894 Périgueux-December 31, 1959 Neuilly-sur-Seine) a.k.a. Aimé Clariond de la Comédie Française, Clariond, Clariond de la Comédie Française, Aimé Clariond sociétaire de la Comédie Française, Aimé Clarion de la Comédie Française, Aimé Clariond Sociétaire de la Comédie-Française or Sociétaire de la Comédie Française was a French actor. His child is called Danielle Clariond.
Aimé Clariond was a renowned stage and screen actor, who began his career in the 1920s. He was a sociétaire (member) of the Comédie-Française, the prestigious French national theater company, where he performed in numerous plays including works by Molière, Racine, and Marivaux. Clariond was regarded as one of the leading actors of the period, known for his skillful performances and range. He also appeared in several French films, including "Le Joueur d'échecs" (1938) and "Quai des Orfèvres" (1947). Clariond was married to actress Magdeleine Bérubet and their daughter, Danielle Clariond, also became an actress. Aimé Clariond passed away in 1959 at the age of 65 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.
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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 was best known for his roles as villainous characters in Hollywood films such as "North by Northwest", "Lolita", and "Julius Caesar". Raised in England, Mason began his acting career in the 1930s and gained recognition for his stage performances in London's West End. He made his film debut in 1935's "Late Extra" and went on to appear in over 100 films throughout his career. In addition to his acting work, Mason was also a vocal advocate for animal welfare and served as the president of the Anti-Vivisection Society of America. He received the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama for his role in "A Star is Born" in 1955, and was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
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Pierre Magnier
Pierre Magnier (February 22, 1869 Paris-October 15, 1959 Clichy) otherwise known as Pierre Frédéric Magnier was a French actor, film director and comedian.
He started his career as a stage actor, performing in several plays in Paris, before transitioning to film acting in the 1910s. He appeared in over 20 films, including "La Dame aux Camélias" (1911) and "Le Crime de Lord Arthur Saville" (1915).
In 1916, Magnier began directing films, starting with "Le Roman d'un Soir". He went on to direct several other films, such as "La Femme du Néant" (1917) and "Chantage" (1920). Magnier was known for his use of camera movements and close-ups in his films, which were innovative for their time.
Later in his career, Magnier returned to stage acting and also worked as a playwright, writing several plays under the pen name "Pierre d'Esther". He continued to act in films until the 1950s, with his final performance being in "Premier mai" (1951).
Outside of his entertainment career, Magnier was also a member of the French Resistance during World War II. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre for his efforts in the Resistance.
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George Archainbaud
George Archainbaud (May 7, 1890 Paris-February 20, 1959 Beverly Hills) a.k.a. Georges Eugène Louis Marie Archainbaud was a French film director, television director, actor, film producer and writer.
He began his career in the French film industry in the 1910s as an actor before transitioning to directing in the 1920s. He made his way to Hollywood in 1927 and worked as a director for various studios, including RKO, MGM, and Universal. Some of his notable films include "The Mysterious Rider" (1933), "Chinatown Squad" (1935), and "Romance of the Rockies" (1937). He also directed television productions in the 1950s, including episodes of "The Lone Ranger" and "Death Valley Days". Archainbaud was known for his proficiency in multiple genres, including westerns, crime dramas, and comedies. He passed away in 1959 at the age of 68.
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Henri Garat
Henri Garat (April 3, 1902 Paris-August 13, 1959 Hyères) also known as Émile Henri Garascu, Émile Henri Camille Garassu, Garascu, Henry Garat or Henri garat was a French actor.
He was born in Paris to a family of Romanian origin and began his career as a cabaret singer in the 1920s. He soon transitioned to acting and became a popular leading man in French cinema during the 1930s, starring in films such as "Boulevard du crime" (1938) and "Mademoiselle Swing" (1938). Garat was also known for his singing voice and recorded several albums of popular songs. He continued acting in films throughout the 1940s and 1950s, and also appeared in stage productions. Despite his success, he experienced financial difficulties later in life and died in poverty in 1959 in Hyères, France.
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Marcel Vibert
Marcel Vibert (November 2, 1883 Paris-June 11, 1959 Paris) also known as Marcel Étienne Vibert was a French actor.
Vibert started his acting career in 1908 and went on to appear in more than 150 films, both silent and sound. He was best known for his roles in romantic dramas and comedies. Vibert's notable films include "The Passion of Joan of Arc" (1928), "Napoleon" (1927), "La chienne" (1931) and "La Bête Humaine" (1938). He also starred in several plays and was a member of the prestigious Comédie-Française theater company from 1924 to 1934. Vibert was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1949 for his contribution to French cinema.
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André Roanne
André Roanne (September 22, 1896 Paris-September 4, 1959 Cannes) also known as Andre Roanne or André Albert Louis Rahou was a French actor.
Roanne began his acting career in the 1920s, and appeared in over 90 films throughout his career, spanning from the silent film era to the 1950s. He was known for his versatility as an actor, and played a wide range of roles throughout his career. Roanne also worked as a stage actor and director, and appeared in numerous theatrical productions in Paris. Despite his numerous film roles, Roanne is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Marius in the original French stage production of Marcel Pagnol's play "Marius". Roanne was widely respected in the French film industry, and worked with some of the most prominent filmmakers of his time, including Marcel Carné and Jean Renoir.
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Henri Marchand
Henri Marchand (August 28, 1898 Mainvilliers, Eure-et-Loir-May 22, 1959 Paris) a.k.a. Henri François Jean André Marchand or Marchand was a French actor.
He began his acting career in French theatre and made his film debut in the 1930 film "Le Tampon du capiston." He went on to appear in over 50 films throughout his career, including "The Wages of Fear" (1953) and "Rue de Paris" (1959). Marchand was known for his versatility as an actor, portraying a wide range of characters in both comedic and dramatic roles. He was also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to numerous French-language dubbed versions of Hollywood films. In addition to his acting work, Marchand was a talented playwright and screenwriter, penning several successful plays and scripts throughout his career.
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