Here are 5 famous actors from France died in 1981:
Abel Gance (October 25, 1889 Paris-November 10, 1981 Paris) a.k.a. D.W. Griffith of Europe was a French screenwriter, film director, film producer, actor and film editor.
He is best known for his epic silent film "Napoleon" (1927), which was a groundbreaking achievement in filmmaking with its use of innovative techniques such as multi-camera shots, superimposition, and split-screen. Gance's career spanned over five decades and he directed more than 50 films, including dramas, comedies, and documentaries. He was a pioneer in the French film industry and was highly influential in shaping the future of cinema. Despite his contributions, Gance was often overlooked in the history of cinema until a restoration of "Napoleon" in the 1980s reignited interest in his work. Gance received several honors during his lifetime, including the Legion of Honour in 1960 and the Grand Prix of the Cannes Film Festival in 1971.
Read more about Abel Gance on Wikipedia »
Jean Eustache (November 30, 1938 Pessac-November 3, 1981 Paris) was a French screenwriter, film director, film editor, actor and film producer. His children are called Boris Eustache and Patrick Eustache.
Eustache is considered a leading figure of the French New Wave cinema movement. His films often explored themes of personal identity, sexuality, and the struggles of everyday life. He is perhaps best known for his film "The Mother and the Whore," which won the Grand Prix at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival. Eustache struggled with depression throughout his life, and tragically took his own life in 1981. Despite his short career, his work continues to be highly influential in the world of cinema.
Read more about Jean Eustache on Wikipedia »
René Clair (November 11, 1898 Paris-March 15, 1981 Neuilly-sur-Seine) a.k.a. Rene Clair or René-Lucien Chomette was a French journalist, screenwriter, film director, film producer, actor and writer. He had one child, Jean-François Clair.
René Clair was a prominent figure of the French film industry in the 1920s and 1930s. He gained international recognition for his innovative and experimental filmmaking techniques, such as his use of sound in early French cinema. Some of his most renowned works include "Entr'acte" (1924), "A Nous la Liberté" (1931), and "Le Million" (1931). He also made successful films in Hollywood in the 1940s, such as "I Married a Witch" (1942) and "And Then There Were None" (1945). In addition to his career in film, Clair was a prolific writer, publishing numerous essays and books. He was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1970 for his contribution to French cinema. Despite his success, Clair remained humble about his work throughout his life, once saying, "I only do what I can do, and people either like it or they don't."
Read more about René Clair on Wikipedia »
Roger Legris (July 3, 1898 Hauts-de-Seine-May 22, 1981 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre) also known as Robert Le Gris, Legris or R.Legris was a French actor.
Roger Legris was born in Hauts-de-Seine, a department in the Île-de-France region of France. He began his acting career in the 1920s and appeared in over 70 films during his career. Legris was known for his versatile acting skills, and he played a variety of roles ranging from comedic to dramatic. He starred in several notable films, such as "L'Atalante" (1934) and "La Belle Équipe" (1936). Besides acting, Legris was also a writer and director. He wrote and directed several films, including "Papa a raison" (1936) and "Baromètre" (1938).
Roger Legris was an active member of the French Resistance during World War II. He used his acting skills to help the Resistance by spreading information and propaganda. After the war, Legris continued his acting career, but he also became involved in politics. He joined the French Communist Party and was elected to the National Assembly in 1946. Legris was a vocal advocate for workers' rights and remained active in politics until his retirement in the 1960s.
In addition to his acting and political careers, Roger Legris was also an accomplished painter. He exhibited his paintings in several galleries in Paris, and his work was well received by both critics and the public. Roger Legris passed away in Le Kremlin-Bicêtre in 1981 at the age of 82. He left behind a rich legacy as an actor, writer, director, politician, and painter.
Read more about Roger Legris on Wikipedia »
Louis Musy (October 22, 1902 Algeria-October 19, 1981) was a French actor, opera singer and theatre director.
Born in Algeria, Louis Musy moved to France in his early years and soon developed a passion for the performing arts. He trained as an opera singer and made his debut at the Paris Opera in 1926. Musy enjoyed a successful career as a baritone, performing in several productions across Europe and America.
In addition to his work in opera, Musy was also a skilled actor, performing in films and on stage. He appeared in over 20 films, working with directors such as Marcel Pagnol and Julien Duvivier. Musy's stage performances were equally celebrated, and he became known for his work in classic French plays, including Moliere's Tartuffe and Racine's Britannicus.
Later in his career, Musy turned his attention to directing, working with a number of theatre companies in France and Switzerland. He was particularly interested in promoting new and experimental work, and his productions often attracted critical acclaim.
Throughout his life, Musy remained deeply committed to the arts, and his contributions to the world of opera, theatre and film continue to be remembered and celebrated today.
Read more about Louis Musy on Wikipedia »