Jean-Paul Belmondo was a French actor who is best known for his roles in Breathless, The Professional, and Pierrot le fou. He became a prominent figure in the French New Wave cinema.
Personal and Family Life
Belmondo was born on April 9, 1933, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. He was the son of sculptor Paul Belmondo and grew up in a creative environment. He was married twice, first to Elodie Constant and then to Natty Belmondo. Jean-Paul had four children: Patricia, Florence, Paul, and Stella, but none of them pursued acting as a career.
Career Highlights
Belmondo made his film debut in 1957 but gained fame with his breakthrough role in Breathless (1960). He became an action and comedy star, known for doing his own stunts. Over the years, he shifted to more dramatic roles while remaining a beloved figure in French cinema. His performance in Itinerary of a Spoiled Child earned him a César Award in 1989.
Death and Legacy
Jean-Paul Belmondo passed away on September 6, 2021, in Paris, France. Throughout his illustrious career, he left a lasting impact on the film industry, especially in France, where he is celebrated as a national icon. He was also honored with the Legion of Honour by the French government for his contributions to the arts.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| La Sirène du Mississipi | 1969-06-18 | Louis Mahé |
| Le Professionnel | 1981-10-21 | Joss Beaumont |
| Pierrot le fou | 1965-11-05 | Ferdinand Griffon, ‘Pierrot’ |
| L’Homme de Rio | 1964-02-05 | Adrien Dufourquet |
| Les Mariés de l’an deux | 1971-04-07 | Nicolas Philibert |
| Paris brûle-t-il? | 1966-10-26 | Yvon Morandat |
| La Chasse à l’homme | 1964-09-18 | Fernand |
| Le Doulos | 1962-12-13 | Silien |
| L’Alpagueur | 1976-02-01 | Roger Pilard, aka l’Alpagueur |
| Une Femme est une femme | 1961-09-06 | Alfred Lubitsch |
| La ciociara | 1960-12-22 | Michele Di Libero |
| Itinéraire d’un enfant gâté | 1988-11-30 | Sam Lion |
| Les Misérables | 1995-03-22 | Henri Fortin / Jean Valjean |
| Un homme et son chien | 2009-01-14 | Charles |
| Le Casse | 1971-10-27 | Azad |
| Le marginal | 1983-10-26 | Commissaire Philippe Jordan |