Here are 15 famous actors from France died in 2001:
Pierre Klossowski (August 9, 1905 Paris-August 12, 2001 Paris) was a French novelist, writer, actor, artist, translator, screenwriter and visual artist.
Born into an artistic family, Klossowski studied theology and philosophy before dedicating himself to the arts. He collaborated with several notable artists including Salvador Dali and Andre Gide. Klossowski is most well-known for his provocative and controversial novels, including "The Laws of Hospitality" and "Sade My Neighbor." He also pursued acting, starring in films such as "Belle de Jour" and "The Hypothesis of the Stolen Painting." As a visual artist, Klossowski worked in various mediums such as painting, drawing, and sculpture, and his works were exhibited in galleries and museums around the world. Klossowski's contributions to French culture continue to be celebrated today.
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Jean Richard (April 18, 1921 Bessines-December 12, 2001 Senlis) otherwise known as Richard was a French actor. He had two children, Élisabeth Richard and Jean-Pierre Richard.
After studying acting in Paris, Jean Richard made his stage debut in 1941. He then went on to act in several successful French films, including "Le Salaire de la Peur" ("The Wages of Fear") in 1953 and "Les Misérables" in 1958. However, Richard was most well-known for his work on television. He starred in a number of popular French TV shows, including "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes" and "Les Enquêtes du Commissaire Maigret," in which he played the titular character. Richard was also heavily involved in the theatre scene throughout his career, both as an actor and as the director of the Théâtre des Variétés in Paris. He was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1986 for his contributions to French culture.
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Jean-Pierre Aumont (January 5, 1911 Paris-January 30, 2001 Gassin) also known as Pierre Aumont, Jean Pierre Aumont, Jean-Pierre Philippe Salomons or Jean-Pierre Salomons was a French actor, screenwriter, soldier and playwright. He had three children, Patrick Aumont, Jean-Claude Aumont and Tina Aumont.
Born into a family of actors, Jean-Pierre Aumont began his career on stage and then went on to act in the French and Hollywood film industries. He appeared in more than 60 films in both French and English languages, including "The Happiest Days of Your Life" (1950), "The Canterville Ghost" (1944), "Lili" (1953), and "Hotel Du Nord" (1938). Aumont was also involved in the French Resistance during World War II, for which he received the Croix de Guerre. In addition to his accomplishments in film and theater, he wrote several plays and authored a memoir about his experiences in Hollywood titled "Sun and Shadow." Aumont was married to American actress Marisa Pavan for over 45 years until his death in 2001.
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Jacques Marin (September 9, 1919 Paris-January 10, 2001 Cannes) was a French actor and voice actor.
Marin began his career in the French film industry in the early 1940s, and would go on to appear in over 150 films and television shows over the course of his career. He often played supporting roles, but was known for his versatility and range as an actor. Some of his most notable roles include Monsieur Brun in the 1961 film "Lola," Inspector Novak in the 1963 film "Charade," and Monsieur Duval in the 1963 film "The Nutty Professor." In addition to his work on screen, Marin was also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to numerous French dubs of foreign films and television shows. He was awarded the Legion of Honour in recognition of his contributions to French culture in 1975.
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Philippe Léotard (August 28, 1940 Nice-August 25, 2001 Paris) also known as Philippe Leotard, Ange Philippe Paul André Léotard-Tomasi or Ange-Philippe Leotard was a French actor, poet, singer, film score composer and teacher. He had three children, Laetitia Léotard, Faustina Léotard and Frédéric Léotard.
Léotard began his career as a poet, publishing his first collection of poems, entitled "40° à l'ombre" (40° in the shade), in 1963. He also started acting around the same time, making his debut in the Jean-Luc Godard film "La Chinoise" in 1967. He went on to appear in over 50 films and television shows throughout his career.
Aside from acting, Léotard was also a talented musician and composer. He released several albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, blending poetry and music in his unique style. He also composed the score for several films, including "Le Juge Fayard dit Le Shérif" and "Les Uns et Les Autres".
In addition to his artistic pursuits, Léotard was a dedicated teacher of theater and acting. He taught at the National School of Arts and Techniques of Theatre in Lyon and later became a professor at the Paris Conservatory.
Despite his success, Léotard struggled with addiction throughout his life, and he died of a heart attack in 2001 at the age of 60. He is remembered as a talented and passionate artist who made significant contributions to French culture.
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Gilbert Bécaud (October 24, 1927 Toulon-December 18, 2001 Paris) also known as Gilbert Becaud, Bécaud, Gilbert or François Gilbert Silly was a French singer, musician, actor and composer. His children are called Jennifer Bécaud, Emily Bécaud, Philippe Bécaud, Gaya Bécaud and Anne Bécaud.
Bécaud was widely regarded as one of France's greatest chanson singers and was known for his powerful voice and stage presence. He composed and produced many hit songs throughout his career, including the popular number "Nathalie."
In addition to his work in music, Bécaud appeared in several films and television shows. He also wrote the score for the 1960 film, "Le cave se rebiffe." Bécaud was a prolific songwriter, composing over 600 songs throughout his career.
Bécaud received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including three Victoires de la Musique awards and being inducted into the French Order of Arts and Letters in 1987. He remained active in the music industry until his death in 2001 at the age of 74.
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Jacques Mauclair (January 12, 1919 15th arrondissement of Paris-December 21, 2001 4th arrondissement) also known as Jacques Louis Mauclair was a French actor.
He is known for his work in French cinema during the 1950s and 1960s. He began his acting career on stage and later transitioned to film, where he played a variety of roles ranging from supporting to lead roles. Some of his notable performances include his roles in films such as "Les Miserables," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," and "La Traversée de Paris."
Mauclair was also a talented writer and published several novels and essays during his lifetime. He was also a member of the French Resistance during World War II and later received the Legion of Honour for his bravery.
Aside from acting, Mauclair was also passionate about music and played the piano and violin. He married French actress and singer Jacqueline Gauthier in 1946 and the couple had two children together. Jacques Mauclair passed away in Paris in 2001 at the age of 82.
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Roger Coggio (March 11, 1934 Lyon-October 22, 2001 Seine-Saint-Denis) also known as Roger Coggio du T.N.P. was a French screenwriter, film director and actor. He had one child, Maxime Coggio.
Coggio began his career as a stage actor and director before moving on to film. He appeared in over 60 films and television shows throughout his career, including Jean-Luc Godard's "Band of Outsiders" and Claude Chabrol's "Le Boucher". Coggio also directed several films such as "L'An 01" and "La Ballade des Dalton". He was highly recognized in both the theatre and film industries and was awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in recognition of his contributions to French culture. At the time of his death, he was residing in Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis, France.
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Henri Alekan (February 10, 1909 Montmartre-June 15, 2001 Auxerre) otherwise known as Henri Albert Alekan, Alekan, Henri Alékan, Henry Alekan, H. Alekan or Henri Albert Alakan was a French cinematographer and actor.
Alekan is widely recognized for his work as a cinematographer on the classic 1950 film "Beauty and the Beast". He began his career as a camera operator in the 1930s and eventually became one of the most respected cinematographers in the film industry. Alekan also worked with notable filmmakers such as Jean Cocteau, Wim Wenders, and Jean Renoir. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including the French Legion of Honor and the American Society of Cinematographers Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition to his accomplishments in cinema, Alekan was also a trained painter and published several books on art and filmmaking.
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Guy Grosso (August 19, 1933 Beauvais-February 14, 2001 Saint-Germain-en-Laye) also known as Grosso or Guy Sarrazin was a French actor, humorist and screenwriter.
He was best known for his comedic roles in French cinema during the 1960s and 1970s. Grosso began his acting career in 1958 and appeared in over 60 films and television series during his career. Some of his notable films include "Les Tontons Flingueurs" (1963), "Fantomas" (1964), "Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez" (1964), and "Le Grand Restaurant" (1966). In addition to acting, Grosso also worked as a screenwriter and wrote for several television shows. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 67.
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Frédéric de Pasquale (March 28, 1931 Paris-December 17, 2001 Rouen) a.k.a. Frederic de Pasquale, Frederic de Pascale, Frederic De Pascuale or Frédéric de Pascuale was a French actor.
Born in Paris, Frédéric de Pasquale began his acting career in the late 1950s, appearing in small roles in various French films. Some of his notable film credits include "Les Yeux sans visage" (1960), "That Man from Rio" (1964), and "The Brain" (1969).
In addition to his film work, de Pasquale also appeared in numerous French television shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including popular series such as "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes" and "Les Saintes Chéries."
Despite his extensive acting career, de Pasquale remained largely unknown outside of France. He continued to act into the 1990s, appearing in films such as "Le Fils préféré" (1994) and "The Fanatic" (1997).
De Pasquale passed away in Rouen, France in December 2001 at the age of 70.
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Jean Davy (October 15, 1911 Puteaux-February 5, 2001 Paris) otherwise known as Davy or Jean Davy Sociétaire de la Comédie Française was a French actor and voice actor.
He began his acting career in the theatre in 1933 with a role in the play L'École des femmes. He went on to become a member of the Comédie-Française in 1948 and spent 20 years performing on stage with the company. Davy's notable performances include his portrayal of Prospero in Shakespeare's The Tempest and his portrayal of Polonius in Hamlet.
Davy also had a successful career as a voice actor, dubbing the voices of actors such as Gregory Peck and Spencer Tracy in French versions of their films. He also provided the voice of the character Merlin in the French dub of Disney's The Sword in the Stone.
In addition to his acting and voice work, Davy wrote a number of books on the theatre and acting, including a memoir titled Une vie de théâtre. He was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1994 for his contributions to French theatre and culture.
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Jean Champion (March 9, 1914 Chalon-sur-Saône-May 23, 2001 Chalon-sur-Saône) also known as J. Champion was a French actor.
He began his career in theater and eventually made his way to film, appearing in over 80 movies throughout his career. Some of his notable film roles include appearances in "The Red and the Black" (1954), "Le Trou" (1960), and "Les Aventures de Rabbi Jacob" (1973). Champion was also known for his voice acting work in French dubs of foreign films such as "The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957) and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (1966). Additionally, he was a recipient of the prestigious Legion of Honour award.
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Jean Danet (January 14, 1924 Auray-October 15, 2001 Paris) was a French actor, comedian and theatre director.
He studied at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Art in Paris and made his debut in 1945 with the play "Les Possédés" directed by Jean Vilar. Danet became known for his roles in comedies and inspired characters such as Don Camillo, Tartarin de Tarascon, and Robinson Crusoe.
In addition to his successful acting career, Danet also directed plays, including works by Molière, Shakespeare, and Racine. He founded his own theatre company, the Compagnie Jean Danet, in 1959, which remained active until his death in 2001.
Jean Danet was awarded the National Order of Merit in 1996 for his contributions to French theatre and culture. He is remembered as a skilled and versatile performer who left a significant impact on the French acting scene.
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André Fouché (September 17, 1908 Paris-July 23, 2001 Poissy) otherwise known as André Eugène Fouché was a French actor.
He began his acting career on stage before transitioning to film in 1933. Fouché appeared in over 100 films throughout his career, including notable roles in "The Count of Monte Cristo" (1943) and "The Red Inn" (1951). He was recognized for his talent and dedication to the arts, receiving the National Order of Merit in 1981 and the Legion of Honour in 1990. In addition to acting, Fouché was also a noted sculptor and exhibited his artwork in several galleries throughout Paris. He continued to perform in films and on stage up until his death in 2001 at the age of 92.
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