Jean Gabin

After several years of cabarets, notably at the Folies Bergères, Jean Gabin steps up to the silver screen. He is revealed by the film Pépé le Moko in 1937. Jean Gabin's career is launched and in just two years, he appears in films among the most famous of French cinema, such as Grand Illusion, Port of Shadows, La Bête humaine (1938)… During World War II, he takes refuge in the United States, refusing to act for the Germans. His return to French cinema is marked by two gangster films: Touchez pas au grisbi (1953) and Chnouf (1955). In 1955, Michel Audiard discovers his cheeky humour in shooting back carefully elaborated replies. Their collaboration is to span some twenty films. Gabin then surrounds himself with a faithful team with whom he works almost exclusively: Bernard Blier, Gilles Granier, Fernadel, Henri Verneuil… Towards the end of his life Gabin draws nearer to the new generation and shoots with Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo. He passes away in 1976 and with him, a mythical figure of French cinema.