In Remembrance: Philippe Noiret

     Philippe Noiret, the French actor best known for his roles in Cinema Paradiso (1988) and Il Postino (The Postman, 1994), has passed away on November 23, 2006 in Paris, France. He was 76.

     Born on October 1, 1930 in Lille, France, Noiret studied acting at the Centre Dramatique de l'Ouest before touring for seven years with the Théâtre National Populaire of Paris.

     Noiret made his film debut with an uncredited bit part in the 1949 musical Gigi, but wouldn’t get screen credit until his third film appearance in the 1952 comedy Agence Matrimoniale (Matrimonial Agency). He continued working his way up supporting player ladder, finally landing his first breakthrough role in director Louis Malle’s 1960 film Zazie Dans Le Metro (Zazie In The Metro).

     Chameleon-like, Noiret was able to play middle-class characters or aristocrats with equal aplomb, ultimately appearing in over 125 films over a three and a half decade career. In 1976 he won his first Cesar, the French equivalent of the Academy Award, for Vieux Fusil (Old Gun). He won a second Cesar in 1990 for La Vie Et Rien D'autre (Life And Nothing Else).
 

     Although primarily a star in the French movie industry, Noiret achieved international acclaim for his touching work in Cinema Paradiso and Il Postino. He also appeared in a small number of English language films including Alfred Hitchcock’s 1969 spy thriller Topaz and Who Is Killing The Great Chefs Of Europe? (1978).

     Noiret’s final film is the comedy 3 Amis which is scheduled for release next year.