Brialy, Jean-Claude

▪ 2008

 French actor

born March 30, 1933, Aumale, French Algeria [now Sour el-Ghozlane, Alg.]

died May 30, 2007, Paris, France

epitomized New Wave (Nouvelle Vague) cinema with natural charm and finesse in such classics of the genre as Claude Chabrol's Le Beau Serge (1958; Handsome Serge) and Les Cousins (1959; The Cousins), François Truffaut's Les Quatre Cents Coups (1959; The 400 Blows) and La Mariée était en noir (1968; The Bride Wore Black), Jean-Luc Godard's Une Femme est une femme (1961; A Woman Is a Woman), Roger Vadim's La Ronde (1964; The Circle of Love), and Eric Rohmer's Le Genou de Claire (1970; Claire's Knee). During his 50-year career, Brialy appeared in nearly 200 films; his later character roles included the bisexual father in Les Innocents (1987; The Innocents), for which he won a César Award for best supporting actor, and poet Max Jacob in the biographical Monsieur Max (2006). He also acted onstage, directed for the theatre and films, and was involved in several arts festivals. Brialy was inducted into the Legion of Honour in 1986.

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