Gérard Philipe

Gérard Philipe (French pronunciation: [ʒeʁaʁ filip]; born Gérard Albert Philip; 4 December 1922 – 25 November 1959) was a prominent French actor who appeared in 32 films between 1944 and 1959 known for his outspoken communist views. He came to prominence during the later period of the poetic realism movement of French Cinema in the late 1940s. His best known credits include Such a Pretty Little Beach (1949), Beauty and the Devil (1950), Fan Fan the Tulip (1953), Montparnasse 19 (1958) and Les liaisons dangereuses (1959).

During his career he performed with some of the most prominent ladies of the era including Jeanne Moreau, Michèle Morgan, Micheline Presle, Danielle Darrieux, Gina Lollobrigida, María Félix, and Anouk Aimée.

As well as a successful film career, he was also a highly regarded classical actor, later achieving further fame when he became a member of Jean Vilar's Théâtre national populaire where he performed in many of the greatest plays from the repertoire of French drama. He was, until his premature death, one of the main stars of the post-war period. His image has remained youthful and romantic, making him one of the most beloved cultural icons in French cinema.