Louis Salou was an American actor who is best known for Children of Paradise, The Charterhouse of Parma, and Sylvie et le fantôme. Born on April 23, 1902, in Quimper, France, he earned recognition for his subtle and refined acting skills and often played distasteful characters with a commanding screen presence. He passed away on October 12, 1948, in Paris, France.
Personal and Family Life
Louis Salou’s father was a Gendarme from Brittany, while his mother hailed from Vexin. He began his acting career in theater with guidance from Georges Pitoëff, who directed him in numerous plays. Throughout his life, Salou built a collaborative relationship with many prominent figures in the theater world, including Jean Cocteau and Pierre Fresnay.
Death and Legacy
Louis Salou died under unclear circumstances; some reports suggest he suffered a heart attack, while others indicate he may have taken an overdose of sleeping pills. He is best remembered for his role as Count de Montray in the acclaimed film Children of Paradise, which remains a significant landmark in French cinema. His performances continue to influence actors and are celebrated for their technical skill and emotional depth.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Boule de suif | 1945-10-13 | Le lieutenant prussien “Fifi” |
| La Chartreuse de Parme | 1948-02-21 | le prince Ernest IV |
| Les Amants de Vérone | 1949-03-07 | Ettore Maglia |
| Huit hommes dans un château | 1942-12-09 | M. Delaunay |
| La foire aux chimères | 1946-10-30 | Furet |
| Le Loup des Malveneur | 1943-05-12 | le docteur Andrieu |
| La Vie en rose | 1948-04-14 | Robert Turlot |
| Voyage sans espoir | 1943-12-15 | l’inspecteur-chef Sorbier |
| Fabiola | 1949-03-03 | Fulvius Petronius |
| Un ami viendra ce soir… | 1946-04-09 | Le commissaire Louis Martin |
| Lettres d’amour | 1942-12-23 | Monsieur de Mortemort |
| Les Enfants du Paradis | 1945-03-15 | Édouard comte de Montray |
| Les Nuits blanches de Saint-Pétersbourg | 1938-03-09 | Michel |
| Seul dans la nuit | 1945-11-21 | Toby |
| Les atouts de Monsieur Wens | 1947-05-14 | Frédéric-Sébastien Dolo |
| Éternel conflit | 1948-05-26 | Chardeuil |