French actors who deceased in 1971
Here are 5 famous actors from France died in 1971:
Philippe Hériat
Philippe Hériat (September 15, 1898 Paris-October 10, 1971 Paris) also known as Philippe Heriat, Raymond Payelle or Raymond Gérard Payelle was a French novelist, actor and playwright.
He was the son of the painter and writer Georges Hériat, and as a young man, he started writing under the pseudonym Raymond Payelle. His first published work was a collection of short stories titled "Amours passagères" which was released in 1926.
As an actor, Philippe Hériat made his debut on the stage in the early 1920s and later ventured into film acting with his first major role in the film "The Murderer is Not Guilty" (1930). He went on to appear in several notable French films, including "The Devil's Envoys" (1942) and "Le Plaisir" (1952).
Hériat's literary works were varied, and he wrote both serious and light-hearted works. His most famous novel, "Les Enfants terribles" (1929), was adapted into a film by Jean-Pierre Melville in 1950. He also wrote plays, including "La Reine verte" (1951) and "Le Marchand de Venise" (1953).
Hériat was a member of the Académie Goncourt from 1955 until his death in 1971.
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Fernandel
Fernandel (May 8, 1903 Marseille-February 26, 1971 Paris) a.k.a. Fernand Joseph Désiré Contandin or Amato was a French actor, singer, film producer, comedian and film director. He had three children, Josette Contandin, Franck Fernandel and Janine Contandin.
Fernandel began his career in the 1930s and quickly became a popular figure in French cinema. He was known for his comedic timing and his expressive face, which he used to great effect in his performances. He appeared in more than 150 films during his career, including such classics as "The Baker's Wife" (1938), "Topaze" (1951) and "Don Camillo" (1952).
In addition to his work on screen, Fernandel was also a talented singer and recorded several albums throughout his career. He was particularly well known for his interpretations of traditional French songs, which he imbued with his own unique style.
Despite his success, Fernandel remained deeply committed to his family and often spoke about the importance of family values in his life. In his later years, he struggled with health problems and passed away in 1971 at the age of 67. However, his legacy as one of France's most beloved actors and performers lives on to this day.
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Michel Saint-Denis
Michel Saint-Denis (September 13, 1897 Beauvais-July 31, 1971 London) was a French actor.
He is most well known for his work as a theatre director and teacher. Saint-Denis began his career as an actor, performing with the Comédie-Française and the Old Vic, but later turned his focus to directing. He established the theatre company Theatre Studio in London, which trained many prominent actors in the 1940s and 50s. He also taught at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and the Juilliard School in New York. Saint-Denis was a proponent of the idea that theatre should be a collaborative effort between actors, directors, and designers, and his innovative approaches to staging and design greatly influenced the theatre world. He wrote several books on theatre, including "Training for the Theatre" and "Theatre: The Rediscovery of Style and Other Writings".
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Jean Vilar
Jean Vilar (March 25, 1912 Sète-May 28, 1971 Sète) was a French actor and theatre director.
He is most famous for founding the Avignon Festival in 1947, which has become one of the most important cultural events in Europe. Vilar was inspired to create the festival by his belief in making theatre accessible to everyone, regardless of social status or economic background. He also founded the Théâtre National Populaire in 1951, which aimed to bring high-quality theatre to audiences all over France. In addition to his work as a director and producer, Vilar was a talented actor himself, and appeared in several films and TV shows throughout his career. He received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to French culture, including the Legion of Honor in 1960.
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Rolla Norman
Rolla Norman (June 24, 1889 Paris-November 18, 1971 Buc, Yvelines) also known as Rolla-Norman or Edouard Charles Norman was a French actor.
Born in Paris to a family of artists, Rolla Norman started his career as an actor in the silent film era. He made his film debut in 1914 with the film "The Battle of the Sexes" and went on to appear in more than 150 films in his career spanning over four decades. He was renowned for his versatility, and appeared in a wide range of roles, from drama to comedy.
Rolla Norman also had success in the theater, performing on stage throughout France and Europe. He was a member of the prestigious Comédie-Française from 1920 to 1929, where he performed in some of the era's most famous plays.
In addition to his acting career, Rolla Norman was also an accomplished painter and sculptor, and his works were exhibited in galleries and museums throughout France.
Despite his success as an actor and artist, Rolla Norman remained humble and down to earth, and was known for his kindness and generosity towards other actors and artists. He retired from acting in the 1950s and spent the remainder of his life in the small town of Buc, where he continued to paint and sculpt until his death in 1971.
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