Van Basten II Posted November 26, 2006 Report Share Posted November 26, 2006 One of the greatest actors coming out of France, Philippe Noiret passed away this week. Source BBC News French actor Philippe Noiret dies Philippe Noiret was adored in his home country and beyond French film star Philippe Noiret, one of the most popular and prolific actors of his generation, has died at the age of 76. Noiret, who made more than 125 films in a career spanning over half a century, died after battling cancer. Famed for his flexibility, he was able to play roles as diverse as haughty aristocrats and middle-class men. Among his most famous films was Cinema Paradiso, in which he played a village projectionist. Other memorable roles included the exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda in Il Postino (The Postman) and a middle-aged glutton in La Grande Bouffe (Blow Out). Panache Noiret moved from the stage to the screen, helping to shape the French cinema of the 1960s. His portrayal of an unhappy uncle in Zazie dans le Metro (Zazie on the Metro) made his name. Over the years he worked with all of France's top directors Known as a workaholic, Noiret considered every role a test. "What's difficult is not doing something, it's redoing it," he once said of his art. French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said the worlds of theatre and film had been suddenly orphaned by Noiret's death. "Through his voice, his allure, his panache, Philippe Noiret knew how to seize and express something within the French soul," he said. "The silhouette and the voice, so tender and familiar, will be missed by all," he added. He was a guy that had the range to do popular cinema and more artsy stuff and never look out of place. With him gone , the most accomplished french actor living become that unsuffering overwhelming ham that is Depardieu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted November 26, 2006 Report Share Posted November 26, 2006 (edited) Philippe Noiret was a remarkable actor. Also an interesting character. He helped Bertrand Tavernier launch his film directing career and starred in several of his films (but not in Tavernier's 'Round Midnight'). A favorite Tavernier film with Noiret is 'La Vie et Rien d'Autre' (Life and Nothing But) made in 1989, an horrendous film set in 1920 in which Noiret plays the part of a French officer in charge of a team that seeks to identify dead soldiers. The film was widely acclaimed in France. Not sure it made an impact outside of the country. Edited November 26, 2006 by brownie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.A.W. Posted November 26, 2006 Report Share Posted November 26, 2006 Philippe Noiret was a remarkable actor. Also an interesting character. One of my favourite French actors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValerieB Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 i absolutely loved this man. i am indebted to him for some of the most memorable moments for me in film. thank you, thank you, mr. noiret. there will never be another like you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmitry Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 A great actor. He was good even in the bad films. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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