Jean-Claude Brialy

Jean-Claude Brialy (30 March 1933 – 30 May 2007) was a noted French actor and film director. Born in Aumale, French Algeria where his father was stationed with the French Army, he moved to mainland France with his family in 1942. At just 21, he moved to Paris to pursue his interest in acting. His career kicked off in 1956 and he soon became one of the most prolific actors of the French Nouvelle Vague and quickly a star. He worked with renowned directors and fellow actors like Jean-Luc Godard, Roger Vadim, Luis Buñuel and many more. His final role was as the eponymous character of the TV film Monsieur Max in 2006. Godard once described him as "the French Cary Grant", with Brialy claiming his life models to be actor Sacha Guitry and director Jean Cocteau. He wasn't just an actor, but also a director and ventured into the restaurant business, authorship, singing and even radio hosting. He owned the restaurant L'Orangerie, on the Île Saint-Louis in Paris.