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Louis de Funes

Louis de Funès de Galarza (July 31, 1914, Courbevoie - January 27, 1983) was a French comic actor.

He was born in a Spanish family, he wasn't very successful in his early life, always getting himself fired from the little jobs he had. He became a pianist and played in bars, his musical talent being shown in his films like Le Corniaud and Le Grand Restaurant. He also knew perfectly the classic cinema and movies.

He entered the showbiz industry by doing theater, and although he has a bit of success, he was better known as a comedian, later being known thanks to films like Ah! Les belles bacchantes and Le mouton à cinq pattes where he plays with the best actors of the time. The success appeared with Le Corniaud with Bourvil. In the meantime, he continued to play theatre.

His classical roles were of middle-aged or mature men with a propension to hyperactivity, bad faith and anger. This, in addition to de Funès's small height and de Funès's antics, produced a comic effect, especially by contrast with Bourvil's roles of calm, naive, good-humoured men.

Having a heart disease, he risked with each play a heart attack, but he continued to perform in plays like Oscar each evening. Eventually, he did die of a heart attack.

He rests at his wife's castle, where he takes care of his garden, he even creates a rose (the Louis de Funès rose).

Louis de Funès is considered by many to be a giant of the French comedy. According to a poll in 1968, he was voted France's favorite actor.


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Louis de Funes Facts

Birth NameLouis Germain de Funès de Galarza
OccupationActor, Director, Writer
BirthdayJuly 31, 1914
SignLeo
BirthplaceCourbevoie, France
Date of deathJanuary 27, 1983 (age 68)

Selected Filmography

Fantomas
Fantomas contre Scotland Yard
Oscar / L'homme orchestre
Un singe en hiver / Le gentleman d Epsom
Oscar
La folie des grandeurs
La folie des grandeurs / Taxi roulotte et corrida
Kiss Me, Kill Me
Le gentleman d Epsom
Un singe en hiver / Le gentleman d'Epsom
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