Here are 12 famous actors from France died in 1975:
Georges Carpentier (January 12, 1894 Liévin-October 28, 1975 Paris) also known as The Orchid Man was a French professional boxer and actor.
Carpentier began his boxing career at the young age of 14 and quickly gained popularity for his agility and fast footwork in the ring. He went on to become the European Middleweight Champion before moving up to the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight divisions. He faced off against some of the biggest names in boxing, such as Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney, and was known for his exciting and aggressive fighting style.
Aside from his boxing career, Carpentier was also a talented actor, appearing in several movies throughout the 1930s and 1940s. He continued to be involved in boxing even after retiring from the sport, working as a referee and commentator. Carpentier is considered a legend in both the boxing and entertainment industries, and his legacy continues to be celebrated by fans and athletes alike.
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Pierre Fresnay (April 4, 1897 Paris-January 9, 1975 Neuilly-sur-Seine) also known as Pierre Jules Louis Laudenbach was a French actor.
He began his acting career in theater and gained popularity in the 1920s. Fresnay appeared in over 60 films, including several notable French classics such as "Le Corbeau," "La Grande Illusion," and "Les Enfants Terribles," among others.
He also directed two films in the 1950s. In addition to acting, Fresnay served in the French Army during World War I and later in the French Resistance during World War II. He was appointed a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1939 and was promoted to Officer in 1949.
Fresnay was married to French actress Yvonne Printemps from 1926 until her death in 1977. They had a daughter together named Jacqueline.
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Pierre Blaise (June 11, 1955 Moissac-August 31, 1975 Montauban) also known as Pierre-Marc Blaise was a French actor.
He is best known for his leading role in the 1971 film "Lacombe, Lucien" directed by Louis Malle. Blaise was a non-professional actor, discovered by Malle for the lead role in the film. He received critical acclaim for his performance as Lucien, a young peasant who becomes a member of the Gestapo during World War II. Unfortunately, Blaise's promising career was cut short when he died in a car accident at the age of 20, just a few years after "Lacombe, Lucien" was released. Despite his short-lived acting career, Blaise remains a memorable figure in French cinema.
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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.
Michel Simon began his career on stage and then transitioned to film in 1925, where he quickly gained recognition for his unique physical appearance and powerful acting skills. He worked with iconic directors such as Jean Renoir and Marcel Carné, appearing in classic films such as La Chienne (1931), Boudu Saved from Drowning (1932), and The Battle of the Rails (1946).
In addition to acting, Simon was also a talented screenwriter and even directed a few films himself. Despite being known for his gruff exterior, he was highly respected in the film industry and his contributions were recognized with numerous awards, including the Cannes Film Festival Best Actor Award in 1962 for his portrayal of a mute servant in the film Le Vieil Homme et L'Enfant.
Off screen, Simon was known for his unconventional lifestyle and habit of walking around in public in his pajamas. He also had a passion for painting and created many works of art throughout his life. His legacy as one of the most influential actors in French cinema continues to be celebrated today.
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Jacques Charon (February 27, 1920 Paris-October 15, 1975 Paris) also known as Jacques Charon de la Comédie Française, Jacques Charon Sociétaire de la Comédie Française, Jacques Charron or Jacques Charron de la Comédie Française was a French film director and actor.
Charon began his career as an actor and became a member of the Comédie Française in 1946, where he played many leading roles in classic French plays. He was known for his distinctive way of delivering lines with great timing and a subtle touch of humor. In addition to his stage work, Charon appeared in over 20 films and TV series, including "La Grande Vadrouille" and "Les Bons Vivants."
In the late 1950s, Charon began directing plays and quickly gained a reputation as a skilled director. He went on to direct several successful productions at the Comédie Française, including Molière's "Le Malade Imaginaire" and Marivaux's "Le Jeu de l'Amour et du Hasard." Charon was also a successful opera director and worked with many renowned opera singers and composers.
Despite his success as a director, Charon never lost his passion for acting and continued to perform throughout his career. He received critical acclaim for his performance in "L'Avare" at the Comédie Française in the early 1970s. Charon died in 1975 at the age of 55. His legacy as an actor and director continues to inspire new generations of performers in France and beyond.
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Jean Del Val (November 17, 1891 France-March 13, 1975 Pacific Palisades) a.k.a. Jean Gautier, Jean Gauthier, Jean Jacques Gautier, Jean Del-Val, Jean Delval or Jean DeVal was a French actor.
He appeared in over 150 films, working with notable directors such as Jean Renoir, Julien Duvivier, and Ernst Lubitsch. Del Val also had a successful career in Hollywood, appearing in films such as "To Catch a Thief" and "Gigi". He was known for playing characters with a distinctive French accent and often played comedic or villainous roles. In addition to his film work, Del Val was also a prominent voice actor and narrator, lending his talents to numerous French-language dubbed versions of films and television shows.
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Max Elloy (May 5, 1900 Paris-January 16, 1975 Paris) also known as Max Eloy was a French actor.
He began his career as a theater actor in the French capital, Paris. After achieving success on stage, Eloy transitioned to the film industry and appeared in over 60 French films throughout his career. He was known for his versatile acting skills and ability to portray a variety of characters, from serious dramas to light comedies. Eloy's most memorable films include "Pepe le Moko" (1937), "The Rules of the Game" (1939), and "Les Amants de Montparnasse" (1958). Despite his success in the film industry, Eloy remained dedicated to the theater and continued to act in stage productions throughout his life.
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Jacques Hilling (May 22, 1926 Randwick-February 16, 1975 19th arrondissement) also known as Jacques Hiling was a French actor.
He started his acting career in the 1950s and appeared in over 50 films throughout his career. Hilling was recognized for his versatile acting skills and often played comedic roles. Some of his notable films include Les Tontons flingueurs, La Grande Vadrouille, and Le Président. Hilling also acted in several television series and theater productions. Apart from acting, Hilling was also known for his passion for music and played the piano proficiently. He passed away at the age of 48 due to a heart attack.
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Jean Chevrier (April 25, 1915 Paris-December 13, 1975 Paris) also known as Jean Chevrier Sociétaire de la Comédie Française, Jean Dufayard, Chevrier or Jean Chevrier de la Comédie Française was a French actor.
He began his acting career in the 1930s, appearing in a number of films including "Les Musiciens du ciel" (1938) and "Gargousse" (1938). Chevrier gained national recognition for his performance in the 1940 film "Le Diamant noir" and went on to appear in over 60 films throughout his career. In addition to his film work, Chevrier was a regular performer at the Comédie Française, one of France's premier theater companies, from 1947 until his death in 1975. He was known for his capability to portray a range of characters, from villains to leading men, and was regarded by some as one of France's greatest actors of the 20th century. Chevrier was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1960 for his contributions to French cinema and theater.
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Paul Bonifas (June 3, 1902 Paris-November 9, 1975 Vernouillet) also known as Paul Boniface, Victor Boniface, Bonifas, Bonifas de la Comédie, Française or The Molière Players was a French actor.
Bonifas started his acting career in the 1920s, appearing in various theater productions and films. He became a member of the prestigious Comédie-Française in 1925 and remained with the company for over 30 years. During his time with the Comédie-Française, Bonifas played a wide range of roles and was known for his versatility as an actor. He also appeared in numerous films, including "The Rules of the Game" (1939) and "Les Misérables" (1958). Bonifas was awarded the Legion of Honor in recognition of his contribution to French culture.
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Pierre Dac (August 15, 1893 Châlons-en-Champagne-February 9, 1975 Paris) also known as André Isaac was a French actor.
Pierre Dac was not only an actor but also a humorist, satirist, and writer. He was known for his satirical humor and his ability to turn ordinary situations into comedic gold. His career spanned several decades, and he was a prominent figure in the French entertainment industry during the 1930s and 1940s. In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, he was also a member of the French Resistance during World War II. His contribution to the Resistance earned him several honors, including the Croix de Guerre and the Médaille de la Résistance. After the war, he continued to entertain audiences with his unique brand of humor until his death in 1975. Today, he is remembered as one of the most beloved and influential entertainers in French history.
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René Sarvil (January 18, 1901 Toulon-March 31, 1975 Marseille) otherwise known as Sarvil or René Ernest Antoine Crescenzo was a French actor and screenwriter.
He began his career on the stage, performing in comedies and drama productions. He made his film debut in 1932 and starred in over 50 films throughout his career. Sarvil was known for his comedic timing and often played supporting roles in popular French films.
In addition to his acting career, Sarvil was also a screenwriter, co-writing several films in which he starred. He also appeared on television, notably in the series "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes" (The Last Five Minutes).
Sarvil was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honor) in 1974, shortly before his death in 1975 at the age of 74. Despite his extensive career and contributions to French cinema, Sarvil often remains lesser known among international audiences.
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