Leotard, Philippe

▪ 2002

      French actor, poet, and chansonnier (b. Aug. 28, 1940, Nice, France—d. Aug. 25, 2001, Paris, France), appeared in more than 70 French- and English-language films, including French Connection II (1975), Les Misérables (1995), and La Balance (1982; The Nark), for which he won a César, France's highest cinema award, as best actor. He also cofounded the avant-garde Théâtre de Soleil, recorded several albums of “chansons française,” and published poetry, notably the collection Pas un jour sans une ligne (1992; Not a Day Without a Line). In his 1997 autobiography Léotard detailed his long struggle with alcoholism and drug abuse.

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