Cassel, Jean-Pierre

▪ 2008

Jean-Pierre Crochon 

      French actor

born Oct. 27, 1932 , Paris, France

died April 19, 2007 , Paris

delighted audiences for more than 50 years in nearly 200 roles, but he achieved fame as the comic protagonist in a series of films directed by Philippe de Broca, notably Les Jeux de l'amour (1960), Le Farceur (1960), and L'Amant de cinq jours (1961). Cassel, a tall man with an expressive face and natural charm, was a dancer and bit player in movies, on television, and on the stage when the American actor and dancer Gene Kelly cast him in The Happy Road (1957). Cassel appeared in many international productions, among them Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965), Le Charme discret de la bourgeoisie (1972; The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie), The Three Musketeers (1973), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), Prêt-à-Porter (1994), and Mauvaise foi (2006; Bad Faith). He also had a successful nightclub and stage career.

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▪ French actor

original name  Jean-Pierre Crochon  

born Oct. 27, 1932, Paris, France

died April 19, 2007, Paris

      French motion-picture actor and comedian.

      Cassel was a bit player in movies, television, and on the stage when the American actor and dancer Gene Kelly (Kelly, Gene) discovered him for The Happy Road (1956). Later Cassel, a tall man with an expressive, mobile face, achieved fame as the comic protagonist in a series of films directed by Philippe de Broca (Broca, Philippe de). These included Les Jeux de l'amour (1960; The Love Game), Le Farceur (1960; The Joker), and L'Amant de cinq jours (1961; The Five Day Lover). Another notable early comedy was Le Caporal epinglé (1962; The Elusive Corporal), directed by Jean Renoir (Renoir, Jean). Cassel combined a successful nightclub career with appearances in many international productions, among them Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965), Oh! What a Lovely War (1969), Le Charme discret de la bourgeoisie (1972; The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie), The Three Musketeers (1973), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), and Prêt-a-Porter (1994).

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