Jean-Pierre Léaud

Jean-Pierre Léaud, born 28 May 1944, is an actor best known for his role as Antoine Doinel in a series of films by François Truffaut, beginning with The 400 Blows in 1959. His debut was made at the age of 14 when he started portraying Doinel, a character based on the experiences of Truffaut. Having worked with highly notable directors such as Jean-Luc Godard, Agnès Varda, and Jacques Rivette, Leaud had established himself as an essential personality in French New Wave film movement. Besides, Léaud has also collaborated with other renowned directors including Jean Cocteau, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Bernardo Bertolucci, Catherine Breillat, Jerzy Skolimowski, and Aki Kaurismäki. Léaud's acting career took a peak in early 1970s when he had three criticically acclaimed films released: Bertolucci's Last Tango in Paris (1972), Truffaut's La Nuit américaine, and Eustache's The Mother and the Whore (both 1973). He won the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 16th Berlin International Film Festival for his role in Jean-Luc Godard's Masculin, féminin and received the Honorary César for lifetime achievement in 2000.