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André Robert Raimbourg (; 27 July 1917 – 23 September 1970), better known as André Bourvil (), and
mononymously A mononym is a name composed of only one word. An individual who is known and addressed by a mononym is a mononymous person. In some cases, a mononym selected by an individual may have originally been from a polynym, a word which refers to one o ...
as Bourvil, was a French actor and singer best known for his roles in comedy films, most notably in his collaboration with
Louis de Funès Louis Germain David de Funès de Galarza (; 31 July 1914 – 27 January 1983) was a French actor and comedian. He is France's favourite actor, according to a series of polls conducted since the late 1960s, having played over 150 roles in fil ...
in the films ''
Le Corniaud ''The Sucker'' (french: link=no, Le Corniaud, ) is a French, Italian and Spanish comedy film by Gérard Oury starring Louis de Funès and Bourvil. Plot Leaving Paris for his summer vacation, the naïve Antoine Maréchal has his 2CV totally wr ...
'' (1965) and ''
La Grande Vadrouille ''La Grande Vadrouille'' (; literally "The Great Stroll"; originally released in the United Kingdom as ''Don't Look Now... We're Being Shot At!'') is a 1966 French-British comedy film set in 1942 about French civilians who help the crew of a Royal ...
'' (1966). For his performance in ''Le Corniaud'', he won a Special Diploma at the
4th Moscow International Film Festival The 4th Moscow International Film Festival was held from 5 to 20 July 1965. The Grand Prix was shared between the Soviet film ''War and Peace'' directed by Sergei Bondarchuk and the Hungarian film ''Twenty Hours'' directed by Zoltán Fábri. Jur ...
.


Biography

His father was killed in the First World War before Bourvil was born. As a result, he spent his entire childhood in the village of
Bourville Bourville () is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department, region of Normandy, northern France. Geography A farming village situated in the Pays de Caux, some southwest of Dieppe, at the junction of the D108 and the D237 roads. Population Pl ...
, from which he took his stage name. He married Jeanne Lefrique on 23 January 1943. After a battle with Kahler's syndrome, which attacks the
bone marrow Bone marrow is a semi-solid tissue found within the spongy (also known as cancellous) portions of bones. In birds and mammals, bone marrow is the primary site of new blood cell production (or haematopoiesis). It is composed of hematopoietic ce ...
, he died at the age of 53. He is buried in Montainville, Yvelines.


Career

In his comic performances Bourvil principally played roles of gentle and well-meaning characters who were often a bit obtuse or naïve, such as his roles opposite the hyperactive, dishonest and bossy ones played by
Louis de Funès Louis Germain David de Funès de Galarza (; 31 July 1914 – 27 January 1983) was a French actor and comedian. He is France's favourite actor, according to a series of polls conducted since the late 1960s, having played over 150 roles in fil ...
. Bourvil's characters not only managed to make viewers laugh, but also to save themselves, often unwittingly, from the
Machiavellian Machiavellianism or Machiavellian may refer to: Politics *Machiavellianism (politics), the supposed political philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli *Political realism Psychology *Machiavellianism (psychology), a personality trait centered on cold an ...
designs of his adversaries. Bourvil was, however, also capable of more dramatic roles such as the handyman in ''
L'Arbre de Noël ''L'Arbre de Noël'' (internationally released as ''The Christmas Tree'') is a 1969 French drama film directed by Terence Young. It was defined as "the most tearful film of sixties".Laura, Luisa and Morando Morandini. ''Il Morandini: dizionari ...
'' (1969). In this role he observes the relationship between a man he works for and the young son who has fallen ill. The audience can identify with the character played by Bourvil, just as they can in his comic roles, so often as a simple man. One can also note his role of
Monsieur Thénardier ( ; ; pl. ; ; 1512, from Middle French , literally "my lord") is an honorific title that was used to refer to or address the eldest living brother of the king in the French royal court. It has now become the customary French title of respec ...
in the film adaptation of ''
Les Misérables ''Les Misérables'' ( , ) is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. In the English-speaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original ...
'' (1958), and his penultimate role as the policeman Mattei in
Jean-Pierre Melville Jean-Pierre Melville (; born Jean-Pierre Grumbach; 20 October 1917 – 2 August 1973) was a French filmmaker and actor. Among his films are ''Le Silence de la mer'' (1949), ''Bob le flambeur'' (1956), '' Le Doulos'' (1962), ''Le Samouraï'' (196 ...
's ''
Le Cercle rouge ''Le Cercle Rouge'' (, "The Red Circle") is a 1970 Franco-Italian crime film set mostly in Paris. It was directed by Jean-Pierre Melville and stars Alain Delon, Andre Bourvil, Gian Maria Volonté, François Périer and Yves Montand. It is known ...
'' (1970). In March 1948, Bourvil took part in the complete recording of Offenbach's ''
The Tales of Hoffmann ''The Tales of Hoffmann'' (French: ) is an by Jacques Offenbach. The French libretto was written by Jules Barbier, based on three short stories by E. T. A. Hoffmann, who is the protagonist of the story. It was Offenbach's final work; he died ...
'' with artists of the Paris
Opéra-Comique The Opéra-Comique is a Paris opera company which was founded around 1714 by some of the popular theatres of the Parisian fairs. In 1762 the company was merged with – and for a time took the name of – its chief rival, the Comédie-Italienne ...
conducted by
André Cluytens André Cluytens (, ; born Augustin Zulma Alphonse Cluytens; 26 March 19053 June 1967)Baeck E. ''André Cluytens: Itinéraire d’un chef d’orchestre.'' Editions Mardaga, Wavre, 2009. was a Belgian-born French conductor who was active in the con ...
, playing the four 'servant' roles.


Filmography

*1942: '' Croisières sidérales'' as Extra (uncredited) *1943: ''
Une étoile au soleil Une is a municipality and town of Colombia in the Eastern Province, part of the department of Cundinamarca. The urban centre is located at an altitude of at a distance of from the capital Bogotá. The municipality borders Chipaque in the north ...
'' *1945: ''
La Ferme du pendu ''Hanged Man's Farm'' (French: ''La ferme du pendu'') is a 1945 French drama film directed by Jean Dréville and starring Charles Vanel and Bourvil. It had admissions in France of 2,703,664, making it one of the most popular films of the year. Ref ...
'' as Saddler *1946: '' Not So Stupid'' as Léon Ménard *1947: '' Le Studio en folie'' as himself *1947: ''
Par la fenêtre ''Par la Fenetre'' is a 1948 French comedy film starring Bourvil. It was a sizeable box office hit. It was shot at the Saint-Maurice Studios in Paris. Plot A man goes to Paris and finds work as a painter. Reception The film was the fifteenth mos ...
'' as Pilou *1947: ''
Blanc comme neige ''Blanc comme neige'' is a 1948 French comedy film starring Bourvil. It was a hit, with admissions in France of 3,666,283. It was shot at the Saint-Maurice Studios in Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in Fra ...
'' as Léon Ménard *1948: ''
The Heart on the Sleeve ''The Heart on the Sleeve'' (French: ''Le Coeur sur la main'') is a 1948 French comedy film directed by André Berthomieu and starring Bourvil, Michèle Philippe and Jacques Louvigny. It had admissions in France of 3,657,951. It was shot at the ...
'' as Léon Ménard *1949: ''
Le Roi Pandore ''Le Roi Pandore'' is a 1950 French comedy film starring Bourvil André Robert Raimbourg (; 27 July 1917 – 23 September 1970), better known as André Bourvil (), and mononymously as Bourvil, was a French actor and singer best known for his r ...
'' as Léon Ménard *1950: '' Miquette'' as Urbain de la Tour-Mirande *1950: ''
Le Rosier de Madame Husson ''Le Rosier de Madame Husson'' is a novella by Guy de Maupassant, published in 1887. The hero is a young virtuous boy, the equivalent of a Rose Queen. The story was adapted by the English composer Benjamin Britten for his comic opera ''Albert ...
'' as Isidore Pastouret *1951: ''
Mr. Peek-a-Boo ''Mr. Peek-a-Boo'' or ''Garou-Garou, le Passe-muraille'' (often shortened to just ''Le Passe-muraille'') is a 1951 French comedy film, directed by Jean Boyer. The film is based on the short story by Marcel Aymé about a "man who could walk thr ...
'' as Léon Dutilleul *1951: ''
Alone in Paris ''Alone in Paris'' (French: ''Seul dans Paris'') is a 1951 French comedy drama film directed by Hervé Bromberger and starring Bourvil, Magali Noël, Georgette Anys and Yvette Etiévant.Siclier p.21 It was shot at the Francoeur Studios in Paris ...
'' as Henri Milliard *1952: '' Le Trou normand'' as Hippolyte Lemoine *1953: ''
A Hundred Francs a Second ''A Hundred Francs a Second'' (French: ''Cent francs par seconde'') is a 1953 French comedy film directed by Jean Boyer and starring Henri Génès, Philippe Lemaire and Jeannette Batti.Krautz p.476 It is a spin-off from the French radio game show ...
'' as Himself *1953: ''
The Three Musketeers ''The Three Musketeers'' (french: Les Trois Mousquetaires, links=no, ) is a French historical adventure novel written in 1844 by French author Alexandre Dumas. It is in the swashbuckler genre, which has heroic, chivalrous swordsmen who fight f ...
'' as Planchet *1954: ''
Royal Affairs in Versailles ''Royal Affairs in Versailles'' (French title: ''Si Versailles m'était conté'') is a 1954 French-Italian historical drama directed by Sacha Guitry. Described as "a historical film showing Versailles from its beginnings to the present day", it ...
'' (directed by
Sacha Guitry Alexandre-Pierre Georges "Sacha" Guitry (; 21 February 188524 July 1957) was a French stage actor, film actor, director, screenwriter, and playwright of the boulevard theatre. He was the son of a leading French actor, Lucien Guitry, and follow ...
) as Versailles Museum Guide *1954: ''
Poisson d'avril Poisson may refer to: People *Siméon Denis Poisson, French mathematician Places *Poissons, a commune of Haute-Marne, France *Poisson, Saône-et-Loire, a commune of Saône-et-Loire, France Other uses *Poisson (surname), a French surname *Poisson ...
'' as Émile Dupuy *1954: ''
Cadet Rousselle "Cadet Rousselle" was a popular French song that satirized a French bailiff by the name of Guillaume (William) Rousselle, widely known as Cadet Rousselle. The man Guillaume Rousselle was born in Orgelet, Jura on April 30, 1743, and died in Aux ...
'' as Jérôme Baguindet *1954: '' Le Fil à la patte'' as Bouzin *1955: ''
Les Hussards ''Les Hussards'' ( en, Cavalrymen), is a French comedy film from 1955, directed by Alex Joffé, written by Gabriel Arout, starring Bernard Blier, Giovanna Ralli, Bourvil, and with Georges Wilson, Virna Lisi, Louis de Funès playing supporting rol ...
'' as Flicot *1956: '' La Traversée de Paris'' as Marcel Martin *1956: ''
The Singer from Mexico ''The Singer from Mexico'' (French: ''Le Chanteur de Mexico'') is a French-Spanish musical film directed by Richard Pottier starring Luis Mariano and Bourvil, released in 1957. It was a screen version of Francis Lopez's operetta that premiered ...
'' as Bilou *1958: ''
Les Misérables ''Les Misérables'' ( , ) is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. In the English-speaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original ...
'' (directed by Jean-Paul Le Chanois) as Thénardier *1958: ''
Le Miroir à deux faces ''Le Miroir à deux faces'' is a 1958 French drama film directed by André Cayatte who co-wrote screenplay with Gérard Oury, Jean Meckert and Denis Perret. The film stars Michèle Morgan, Bourvil and Ivan Desny. It was called ''The Mirror Has ...
'' as Pierre Tardivet *1958: '' Un drôle de dimanche'' as Jean Brévent *1958: ' as Me Jérôme Quilleboeuf *1959: '' Le chemin des écoliers'' as Charles Michaud *1959: ''
The Green Mare ''The Green Mare'' () is a humorous novel by French writer Marcel Aymé first published by Gallimard in 1933. Aymé probably wrote ''La Jument verte'' during 1932 and early 1933. The novel was published to great success in June 1933, but prov ...
'' (''La Jument verte'') as Honoré Haudouin *1959: '' Le Bossu'' as Passepoil *1960: '' Le Capitan'' as Cogolin *1960: ''
Fortunat ''Fortunat'' (English: ''Fortunate'') is a 1960 Franco-Italian co-production motion picture comedy directed and written by Alex Joffé, based on a novel by Michel Breitman. The film stars Bourvil and Michèle Morgan. It tells the story of a la ...
'' as Noël Fortunat *1961: '' Dans la gueule du loup'' as Drugged Man *1961: ''
All the Gold in the World ''All the Gold in the World'' (French: ''Tout l'or du monde'') is a 1961 French-Italian comedy film directed by René Clair and starring Bourvil, Alfred Adam and Philippe Noiret. It was shot at the Billancourt Studios in Paris. The film's sets ...
'' as Dumont and his sons: Mathieu, 'Toine, Martial *1961: ''
Le Tracassin ''Le Tracassin ou Les Plaisirs de la ville'' is a French comedy film directed by Alex Joffé, released in 1961.IMDb: Le tracassin ou Les plaisirs de la ville' Plot The stress of urban living, his sister's new baby and problems with his desire to ...
ou les plaisirs de la ville'' ("The Busybody",
Alex Joffé Alex Joffé (18 November 1918 – 18 August 1995) was a French film director and screenwriter, known for ''Les cracks'' (1968), ''Fortunat'' (1960) and ''La grosse caisse'' (1965). He was the father of the director Arthur Joffé, as well as Mari ...
) as André Loriot *1962: '' The Longest Day'' as Alphonse Lenaux, Mayor of Colleville-sur-Orne *1962: ''
Tartarin de Tarascon ''Tartarin of Tarascon'' (french: Tartarin de Tarascon) is an 1872 novel written by the French author Alphonse Daudet. Synopsis The Provençal town of Tarascon is so enthusiastic about hunting that no game lives anywhere near it, and its inhabi ...
'' as Priest *1962: ''
Un clair de lune à Maubeuge ''Moonlight in Maubeuge'' (french: Un clair de lune à Maubeuge), is a French comedy film from 1962, directed by Jean Chérasse, written by Claude Choublier, starring Claude Brasseur and Louis de Funès (uncredited). The film was known under ...
'' as Television Singer *1962: '' Les Culottes rouges'' as Fendard *1963: ''
Les Bonnes Causes ''Don't Tempt the Devil'' (french: Les Bonnes Causes, it, Il delitto Dupré) is a 1963 French-Italian crime film written and directed by Christian-Jaque and starring Bourvil, Marina Vlady, Virna Lisi and Pierre Brasseur. It is based on the novel ...
'' as Albert Gaudet *1963: ''
Un drôle de paroissien ''Heaven Sent '' (french: Un drôle de paroissien) is a 1963 French comedy film directed by Jean-Pierre Mocky. It was entered into the 13th Berlin International Film Festival. The film has been released under the name ''Heaven Sent'' in the Engl ...
'' as Georges Lachaunaye *1963: '' Le Magot de Josepha'' as Pierre Corneille *1963: ' as André Colombey *1964: '' La Grande Frousse'' as Inspector Simon Triquet *1965: ''
Le Corniaud ''The Sucker'' (french: link=no, Le Corniaud, ) is a French, Italian and Spanish comedy film by Gérard Oury starring Louis de Funès and Bourvil. Plot Leaving Paris for his summer vacation, the naïve Antoine Maréchal has his 2CV totally wr ...
'' (The Sucker) (directed by
Gérard Oury Gérard Oury (born Max-Gérard Houry Tannenbaum; 29 April 1919 – 20 July 2006) was a French film director, actor and writer. Life and career Max-Gérard Houry-Tannenbaum was the only son of Serge Tannenbaum, a violinist of Russian-Jewish orig ...
) as Antoine Maréchal *1965: ''
Le Majordome ''Le Majordome'' is a 1965 French and Italian comedy film directed by Jean Delannoy. Cast *Paul Meurisseas Léopold *Geneviève Page as Agnès des Vallières *Paul Hubschmid as Doctor Ventoux / Le 'chat' *Micheline Luccioni as Arlette *Lutz Gabo ...
'' as True Groom (uncredited) *1965: '' Guerre secrète'' as Lalande *1965: '' La Grosse Caisse'' as Louis Bourdin *1965: ''
The Wise Guys ''The Wise Guys'' (U.S. video title: ''Jailbirds' Vacation'') (french: Les Grandes Gueules) is a 1965 French drama film directed by Robert Enrico, based on a novel by José Giovanni. Featuring two popular male leads in Bourvil and Lino Ventura, ...
'' as Hector Valentin *1966: ''
Trois enfants dans le désordre ''Trois'' is a 2000 erotic thriller film directed by Rob Hardy and produced by William Packer. It stars Gary Dourdan, Kenya Moore and Gretchen Palmer. The film was given a limited theatrical release and was one of the years highest grossing ...
'' as Eugène Laporte *1966: ''
La Grande Vadrouille ''La Grande Vadrouille'' (; literally "The Great Stroll"; originally released in the United Kingdom as ''Don't Look Now... We're Being Shot At!'') is a 1966 French-British comedy film set in 1942 about French civilians who help the crew of a Royal ...
'' (directed by
Gérard Oury Gérard Oury (born Max-Gérard Houry Tannenbaum; 29 April 1919 – 20 July 2006) was a French film director, actor and writer. Life and career Max-Gérard Houry-Tannenbaum was the only son of Serge Tannenbaum, a violinist of Russian-Jewish orig ...
) as Augustin Bouvet *1967: '' Les Arnaud'' as Le juge Henri Arnaud *1968: '' Les Cracks'' as Jules Auguste Duroc *1968: ''
La Grande Lessive LA most frequently refers to Los Angeles, the second largest city in the United States. La, LA, or L.A. may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * La (musical note), or A, the sixth note * "L.A.", a song by Elliott Smith on ''Figur ...
'' as Armand Saint-Just *1969: ''
Le Cerveau ''The Brain'' (french: Le Cerveau) is a 1969 French comedy film directed by Gérard Oury, about a second train robbery by the brain behind the Great Train Robbery of 1963. It stars Jean-Paul Belmondo and Bourvil as a pair of French petty crooks, ...
'' (directed by
Gérard Oury Gérard Oury (born Max-Gérard Houry Tannenbaum; 29 April 1919 – 20 July 2006) was a French film director, actor and writer. Life and career Max-Gérard Houry-Tannenbaum was the only son of Serge Tannenbaum, a violinist of Russian-Jewish orig ...
) as Anatole *1969: ''
Monte Carlo or Bust ''Monte Carlo or Bust!'' is a 1969 comedy film, also known by its American title, ''Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies''. A co-production of the United Kingdom, France and Italy, the story is based on the Monte Carlo Rally – fir ...
'' (''Gonflés à bloc'') (directed by
Ken Annakin Kenneth Cooper Annakin, Order of the British Empire, OBE (10 August 1914 – 22 April 2009) was an England, English film director. His career spanned half a century, beginning in the early 1940s and ending in 2002, and in the 1960s he was notice ...
) as Monsieur Dupont *1969: ''
The Christmas Tree A Christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen pinophyta, conifer, such as a spruce, pine or fir, or an artificial tree of similar appearance, associated with the celebration of Christmas. The custom was further developed in earl ...
'' (L'Arbre de Noël), (directed by
Terence Young Terence or Terry Young may refer to: *Terence Young (director) (1915–1994), British film director * Terence Young (politician) (born 1952), Canadian Conservative Party politician * Terence Young (writer), Canadian writer * Terry Young (American p ...
) as Verdun *1970: '' L'Étalon'' (directed by Jean-Pierre Mocky) as William Chaminade *1970: ''
Le Mur de l'Atlantique ''Atlantic Wall'' (french: Le Mur de l'Atlantique, it, Un elmetto pieno di... fifa) is a 1970 French-Italian war-comedy film written and directed by Marcel Camus and starring Bourvil and Peter McEnery. It was Bourvil's last film. Plot The stor ...
'' (Atlantic Wall) directed by
Marcel Camus Marcel may refer to: People * Marcel (given name), people with the given name Marcel * Marcel (footballer, born August 1981), Marcel Silva Andrade, Brazilian midfielder * Marcel (footballer, born November 1981), Marcel Augusto Ortolan, Brazilian s ...
as Léon Duchemin *1970: ''
Le Cercle rouge ''Le Cercle Rouge'' (, "The Red Circle") is a 1970 Franco-Italian crime film set mostly in Paris. It was directed by Jean-Pierre Melville and stars Alain Delon, Andre Bourvil, Gian Maria Volonté, François Périer and Yves Montand. It is known ...
'' directed by
Jean-Pierre Melville Jean-Pierre Melville (; born Jean-Pierre Grumbach; 20 October 1917 – 2 August 1973) was a French filmmaker and actor. Among his films are ''Le Silence de la mer'' (1949), ''Bob le flambeur'' (1956), '' Le Doulos'' (1962), ''Le Samouraï'' (196 ...
as Le Commissaire Mattei *1971: '' Clodo'' as Gaston (final film role)


Songs

Nearly 300, among which the best known are: * "La tendresse" * " Salade de fruits" * "Les crayons" * "La Tactique du gendarme" (from the film ''Le roi Pandore'') * "Ballade irlandaise" * "Un clair de lune à Maubeuge" * "Petit bal perdu" (C'était bien) * "Ma p'tite chanson"


References


External links

*


French links


Biography SiteBourvil on Encinematheque
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bourvil 1917 births 1970 deaths Deaths from multiple myeloma People from Seine-Maritime Volpi Cup for Best Actor winners French comedians French comedy musicians French male film actors French male stage actors French male radio actors 20th-century French male actors Légion d'honneur refusals 20th-century French comedians 20th-century French male singers Deaths from cancer in France