Pierre Brasseur (22 December 1905 – 16 August 1972), born Pierre-Albert Espinasse, was a French actor.

Pierre Brasseur
Brasseur in 1943
Born
Pierre-Albert Espinasse

(1905-12-22)22 December 1905
Paris, France
Died16 August 1972(1972-08-16) (aged 66)
Resting placePère-Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, France
OccupationActor
Years active1924–1972
Spouse(s)Odette Joyeux (1935–1945)[2]
Lina Magrini (1947–1961)
ChildrenClaude Brasseur

Biography

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The son of actors Georges Espinasse and Germaine Brasseur[3] was an actor as well. The family tradition of using the name Brasseur was continued by his son Claude and his grandson Alexandre.[4]

 
Pierre Brasseur in 1961 in the film
Mon frère Jacques [fr]

Renowned for playing outsized characters, Brasseur is best remembered for his (semi-fictionalised) portrayal of the actor Frédérick Lemaître in Les Enfants du Paradis (Children of Paradise, 1945) and as Docteur Génessier (more subdued) in the horror film Les Yeux sans visage (Eyes Without a Face, 1960) co-starring Alida Valli. On 30 May 1927, he performed the spoken role of the Narrator in the world premiere of Igor Stravinsky's opera-oratorio Oedipus Rex.[5]

 
Brasseur’s grave at Pere Lachaise Cemetery

Honours

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Brasseur was made Chevalier (Knight) of the Légion d'honneur in 1966.[6] The following year, he was made Commandeur (Commander) of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1967.[6]

Selected filmography

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References

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  1. ^ "Pierre Brasseur". Encyclopædia Britannica.
  2. ^ "Pierre Brasseur (with a complete filmography)". Films de France. January 2002.
  3. ^ Mignon, Paul-Louis, Le Theatre d'aujourd'hui, Editions de l'Avant-Scene, M. Brient et Cie, Paris, 1966, p. 60
  4. ^ Oscherwitz, Dayna; Higgins, MaryEllen (2009). The A to Z of French Cinema. Scarecrow Press. p. 69. ISBN 978-081087038-3. Pierre Brasseur died.
  5. ^ Pierre Brasseur at IMDb
  6. ^ a b "Pierre Brasseur | Biographie et Filmographie". Laurentpons.fr. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
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