Here are 7 famous actors from France died in 1997:
Roland Topor (January 7, 1938 Paris-April 16, 1997 Paris) a.k.a. Topor, Roland or Topor was a French novelist, screenwriter, actor, illustrator, painter, writer, filmmaker, songwriter and film art director. His child is called Nicolas Topor.
Topor was known for his dark and surreal style, often exploring the macabre and grotesque in his works. He co-wrote the screenplay for the 1974 film "Fantastic Planet" (La Planète sauvage), which won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. Topor also wrote the play "The Tenant," which was adapted into a film by Roman Polanski in 1976.
As an actor, he appeared in several films, including "Diva" (1981) and "The Name of the Rose" (1986). He was also a prolific illustrator and cartoonist, contributing to numerous publications such as "Pilote" and "Hara-Kiri."
Topor was a founding member of the Panic Movement, a group of artists and writers who sought to shock and challenge the status quo through their work in the 1960s. He continued to work and create until his death in 1997 at the age of 59.
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Paul Préboist (February 21, 1927 Marseille-March 4, 1997 Paris) also known as P. Préboist, Paul Preboist or Paul Préboit was a French comedian and actor.
He began his career as a comedian in the 1950s, performing in small theaters and cabarets. He gained national recognition in the 1960s for his roles in popular French films, including "Le Corniaud" and "Les Grandes Vacances." Préboist was known for his comedic timing and his ability to play a wide range of characters, from bumbling sidekicks to suave leading men. He also appeared on television shows, including "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes" and "Les Enquêtes du commissaire Maigret." Préboist continued to work as an actor until his death from a heart attack in 1997, at the age of 70. He is remembered as one of France's most beloved and enduring comedic actors.
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Georges Marchal (January 10, 1920 Nancy-November 28, 1997 Maurens, Dordogne) a.k.a. Georges Louis Lucot, Georges Marschal, George Marchal or Georges Louis Marchal was a French actor. His children are called Frédérique Marchal and Robin Marchal.
Georges Marchal began his acting career in the late 1940s, making his big screen debut in the film "Aux yeux du souvenir" in 1948. He quickly gained fame and appeared in several popular films throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including "Fanfan la Tulipe" (1952) and "Les 3 Mousquetaires" (1961).
In addition to his work on film, Marchal also had a successful career on stage and television. He was known for his commanding presence and versatile acting abilities, and was considered one of the leading actors of his time in France.
Marchal was married several times throughout his life, and had two children from his first marriage. He was also a dedicated teacher, and established an acting school in Paris in the 1970s.
Despite his success, Marchal struggled with addiction and financial difficulties later in life. He passed away in 1997 at the age of 77 in Maurens, Dordogne, leaving behind a legacy as one of France's most beloved and respected actors.
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Henri Vilbert (April 6, 1904 Marseille-April 20, 1997 Cagnes-sur-Mer) also known as Henry Vilbert, Vilbert or Henri Miquely was a French actor.
Vilbert began his acting career in 1924 with the play "Trois Jeunes Filles Nues" at the Théâtre Michel in Paris. He later appeared in numerous films, including "La Chienne" (1931), "The Rules of the Game" (1939), and "Rififi" (1955). Throughout his career, Vilbert worked with renowned filmmakers such as Jean Renoir, Marcel Carné, and Jules Dassin. In addition to his film and theater work, Vilbert was also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to French dubs of foreign films and TV shows. He lived a long life and died in 1997 at the age of 93 in Cagnes-sur-Mer.
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Jacques Fabbri (July 4, 1925 14th arrondissement of Paris-December 24, 1997 Tourgéville) otherwise known as Jacques Fabri, Jacques Fabricotti or Jacques Claude Fabbricotti was a French actor, screenwriter and film director. He had two children, Clémence Fabbricotti and Catherine Fabbricotti.
Fabbri began his acting career in the 1950s and went on to appear in over 50 films, most notably in the French New Wave classic "Breathless" (1960) directed by Jean-Luc Godard. He also acted in stage productions, including works by Samuel Beckett and Jean Genet. Fabbri later transitioned to directing films in the 1970s, with his debut feature "Le Gang des Otages" (1973) receiving critical acclaim. He continued to direct films and write screenplays throughout his career, and was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1995 for his contributions to French cinema.
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Gabriel Cattand (November 29, 1923 Bonneville-August 9, 1997 Yvelines) was a French actor.
He appeared in over 100 films and television shows throughout his career. He first gained recognition for his role in the French war film "La Vérité sur Bébé Donge" (1952). Cattand also acted in international films, including the British thriller "The Man in the White Suit" (1951) and the American drama "Is Paris Burning?" (1966).
In addition to his film work, Cattand was a respected stage actor and appeared in many productions throughout France. He also lent his voice to numerous documentaries and television programs.
Cattand was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1991 for his contributions to French culture. He passed away in 1997 at the age of 73.
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Stéphane Grappelli (January 26, 1908 Paris-December 1, 1997 Paris) also known as Stephanie Grappelli, Stephane Grapelli, Stepane Grappelli, Stephane Grappelli, Stephanie Grapelli, Stéphane Grappelly or Stéfano Grappelli was a French jazz musician, jazz violinist, film score composer and actor.
Grappelli was born in Paris and began playing the violin at a young age. He quickly developed a love for jazz and began performing in clubs throughout the city. In 1934, he met guitarist Django Reinhardt and the two formed the legendary jazz group, Quintette du Hot Club de France. Grappelli's innovative and virtuosic playing style helped propel the group to international fame.
During World War II, Grappelli fled to England where he continued to perform and record, often collaborating with other jazz legends such as Duke Ellington and Oscar Peterson. He also composed music for films and appeared in several movies.
Grappelli continued to perform well into his 80s, recording with artists such as Yehudi Menuhin and playing at venues around the world. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and is considered one of the greatest jazz violinists of all time.
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