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Jules Berry

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Birthdate

1883-02-09

Day of Death

1951-04-23

Place of Birth

Poitiers, Vienne, France

Jules Berry

Biography

Jules Berry (born Marie Louis Jules Paufichet; 9 February 1883 – 23 April 1951) was a French actor. Berry and his two brothers were born to parents who sold hardware and settled in Poitou. The family moved to Paris in 1888. Berry completed his studies at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand and then graduated from École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts. It was during his studies that Berry developed an interest in the theater. Following an audition, he was hired by the Théâtre Antoine-Simone Berriau to act in La Mort du duc d'Enghien by Léon Hennique, and Le Perroquet vert by Arthur Schnitzler. Later he performed at the Théâtre de l'Ambigu-Comique and the Théâtre de l'Athénée. During a tour in Lyon, he was noticed by Jean-François Ponson, who hired him for a period of 12 years at the Théâtre royal des Galeries Saint-Hubert in Brussels. Audiences in Brussels gave him a warm welcome, where he played in productions such as Le Mariage de mademoiselle Beulemans. Berry subsequently performed in 30 successful plays for Marcel Achard, Alfred Savoir, Louis Verneuil, and Roger Ferdinand. One of Berry's first movie roles was the silent film Oliver Cromwell (1911) directed by Henri Desfontaines. His first appearance in a talking picture was Mon coeur et ses millions (1931) with Suzy Prim. Over the course of his career, Berry acted in 89 motion pictures. Bombastic, extravagant, and whimsical, Berry was as flamboyant as any entertainer of the period, including Pierre Brasseur. Berry is often considered one of the greatest actors in the history of French cinema. Among Berry's best films are: The Crime of Monsieur Lange by Jean Renoir, Les Visiteurs du Soir by Marcel Carné, Le Jour Se Lève by Marcel Carné, Strange Inheritance by Louis Daquin, Baccara by Yves Mirande, 27 Rue de la Paix by Richard Pottier and L'Habit vert by Roger Richebé. Berry ended his film career in 1951 to interpret the texts of Jacques Prévert. Berry was romantically involved with actresses Jane Marken, Suzy Prim, and Josseline Gaël. He and Gaël had a daughter named Michelle in 1939. A compulsive gambler, Berry frequented casinos and horse races. In April 1951, Berry was admitted to the Hôpital Broussais, where he died of a heart attack caused by treatment for rheumatism. He is buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery (division 80). Source: Article "Jules Berry" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Filmography (88)

⭐ 6.3 Role: (archive footage)

The Image Book

2018
⭐ 9.0 Role: Self (archive footage)

Stars Never Die

1957
⭐ 6.0 Role: Chamboise

Les Maîtres-nageurs

1951
⭐ 6.5 Role: The Baron of Puy de la Margelle

The Rear-Wheel Drive Gang

1950
⭐ 6.5 Role: Frédéric Octave Pancrace Truche

Tête blonde

1950
⭐ 5.5 Role: Saint-Rosay,le cousin écossais d'André

Without Trumpet or Drum

1950
⭐ 5.2 Role: Le baron Richard de Valirman

Not Any Weekend for Our Love

1950
⭐ 5.9 Role: Pfeiffer

Portrait of a Murderer

1949
⭐ 7.2 Role: Fortunato

Unusual Tales

1949
⭐ 9.0 Role: Charles Vigne

Si jeunesse savait...

1948
⭐ 6.0 Role: Léo

The Crowned Fish Tavern

1947
⭐ 9.0 Role: Frontenac

Distress

1947
⭐ 7.0 Role: Belloni

Dreams of Love

1947
⭐ 9.0 Role: Professor Barbaroux

La Troisième Dalle

1946
⭐ 8.0 Role: Jules Berry

The Murderer Is Not Guilty

1946