André Maranne was an American actor who is best known for his performances in the Pink Panther films, Fawlty Towers, and Darling Lili. Born as André Gaston Maillol in Toulouse, France, he became a naturalized citizen of the United Kingdom in 1967.
Personal and Family Life
André Maranne was born on May 14, 1926, in Toulouse, France. He married Moira Mitchell in 1955, and they remained together until his death in 2021. Despite being very short-sighted, he avoided wearing glasses during his performances.
Career
Maranne began his acting career in the UK in 1956 and became known for his roles as French gendarmes, customs officers, and waiters. He gained significant popularity for his role as Sergeant François Chevalier in the Pink Panther series. Additionally, he made appearances in television shows like Fawlty Towers and worked on BBC radio to teach French to beginners.
Death and Legacy
André Maranne passed away on April 12, 2021, in England at the age of 94. He left behind a legacy as a beloved character actor, particularly remembered for his comedic roles in both film and television.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Revenge of the Pink Panther | 1978-01-08 | François |
| The Return of the Pink Panther | 1975-05-21 | Sgt. François Chevalier |
| Morons from Outer Space | 1985-03-29 | Prof. Trousseau |
| The Terrornauts | 1967-02-01 | Gendarme |
| The Greengage Summer | 1961-05-01 | M. Dutour |
| Night Train to Paris | 1964-09-22 | Louis Vernay |
| The Pink Panther Strikes Again | 1976-12-15 | Francois |
| Two Wives at One Wedding | 1961-08-01 | Paul Dassin |
| Duffy | 1968-09-16 | Garain |
| A Shot in the Dark | 1964-06-23 | François |
| Rise and Fall of Idi Amin | 1981-07-16 | French Ambassador |
| Behemoth, the Sea Monster | 1959-03-03 | French Radio Officer (uncredited) |
| Plenty | 1985-09-20 | Villon |
| Our Miss Fred | 1972-12-14 | Resistance Fighter (as Andre Maranne) |
| Bequest to the Nation | 1973-04-18 | Adm. Villeneuve |
| Doctor Who: The Moonbase | 1967-03-04 | Benoit |
| Trail of the Pink Panther | 1982-12-03 | Sergeant François Duval |
| Doctor in Clover | 1966-03-08 | Pierre in French Movie (Uncredited) |
| Carve Her Name with Pride | 1958-02-18 | Garage Man |
| Darling Lili | 1970-06-18 | Lt. Liggett |
| The Girl on a Motorcycle | 1968-06-21 | French Superintendent / French Customs Officer |
| Loser Takes All | 1956-09-09 | Bar Waiter (uncredited) |
| The Razor’s Edge | 1984-10-19 | Joseph the Butler |
| Curse of the Pink Panther | 1983-08-12 | Sergeant Francois Duval |
| The London Connection | 1979-12-21 | Duvalier |
| S.O.S. Titanic | 1980-02-29 | Michel Navratil (uncredited) |
| H.M.S. Defiant | 1962-04-15 | Col. Giraud |
| The Square Peg | 1958-12-04 | Jean-Claude |
| Let’s Be Happy | 1957-05-07 | Waiter in Dining Car (uncredited) |
| Battle of Britain | 1969-09-15 | French NCO |
| L’Elegance | 1982-03-03 | Waiter |
| Thunderball | 1965-12-11 | SPECTRE #10 (uncredited) |