Louis Jouvet
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Jules Eugène Louis Jouvet (24 December 1887 â€“ 16 August 1951) was a French actor, theatre director and filmmaker.


Early life

Jouvet was born in
Crozon Crozon (, ; br, Kraozon, , ) is a commune in the department of Finistère and the administrative region of Brittany, northwestern France. As well as the town of Crozon, the village of Morgat is part of the commune. Crozon is located on the Cr ...
. He had a
stutter Stuttering, also known as stammering, is a speech disorder in which the flow of speech is disrupted by involuntary repetitions and prolongations of sounds, syllables, words, or phrases as well as involuntary silent pauses or blocks in which the ...
as a young man and originally trained as a pharmacist. He received an advanced degree in pharmacy in 1913, though he never actually practiced, instead pursuing a career in theatre.:91


Career

Jouvet was 'refused three times by the ''Conservatoire''' in Paris before being accepted to
Jacques Copeau Jacques Copeau (; 4 February 1879 Р20 October 1949) was a French theatre director, producer, actor, and dramatist. Before he founded the Th̢̩tre du Vieux-Colombier in Paris, he wrote theatre reviews for several Parisian journals, work ...
's
Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier The Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier is a theatre located at 21, rue du Vieux-Colombier, in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. It was founded in 1913 by the theatre producer and playwright Jacques Copeau. Today it is one of the three theatres in Paris u ...
as a stage manager in 1913.:345 Copeau's training included a varied and demanding schedule, regular exercise for agility and stamina, and pressing his cast and crew to invent theatrical effects in a bare-bones space. It was there Jouvet developed his considerable stagecraft skills, particularly makeup and lighting (he developed a kind of accent light named the ''jouvet''). These years included a successful tour to the United States. While influential, Copeau's theater was never lucrative and Jouvet left in October 1922 for the Comédie des Champs-Élysées (the small stage of the
Théâtre des Champs-Élysées The Théâtre des Champs-Élysées () is an entertainment venue standing at 15 avenue Montaigne in Paris. It is situated near Avenue des Champs-Élysées, from which it takes its name. Its eponymous main hall may seat up to 1,905 people, while th ...
). He was made director of the theatre in 1924. In December 1923 he staged his single most successful production, the satire ''Dr. Knock'', written by
Jules Romains Jules Romains (born Louis Henri Jean Farigoule; 26 August 1885 – 14 August 1972) was a French poet and writer and the founder of the Unanimism literary movement. His works include the play '' Knock ou le Triomphe de la médecine'', and a cycle ...
.:92 His characterization of the manipulative crank doctor was informed by his own experience in pharmacy school. It became his signature and his standby; he produced it 'almost every year until the end of his life'. Jouvet remained at the Comédie until 1934, when he moved to the
Théâtre de l'Athénée The Théâtre de l'Athénée is a theatre at 7 rue Boudreau, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Renovated in 1996 and classified a historical monument, the Athénée inherits an artistic tradition marked by the figure of Louis Jouvet who dire ...
due to the high overhead of running a theatre troupe at the Comédie.:92 He served as director of the Théâtre from 1934 through his death in 1951.:92 In 1927, he formed ''Le Cartel des Quatre'' he Cartel of Fourwith
Charles Dullin Charles Dullin (; 8 May 1885 – 11 December 1949) was a French actor, theater manager and director. Career Dullin began his career as an actor in melodrama:185 In 1908, he started his first troupe with Saturnin Fabre, the ''Théâtre de Foir ...
,
Gaston Baty Gaston Baty (26 May 1885 – 13 October 1952), whose full name was Jean-Baptiste-Marie-Gaston Baty, was a French playwright and theatre director. He was born in Pélussin, Loire, France. Career In 1921, Baty formed his own company ''Les Compag ...
(1885–1952), and
Georges Pitoëff Georges Pitoëff (4 September 1884 – 17 September 1939) was a Russian émigré with an Armenian background who became one of the leading actors and directors in France. Early life and education Pitoëff was born on 4 September 1884 in Tiflis, R ...
.:80 The Cartel was 'an artistic and economic alliance in opposition to academic and commercial theatre',:178 and the directors did not share a specific 'aesthetic movement'.:80 In 1928 he began an ongoing collaboration with playwright
Jean Giraudoux Hippolyte Jean Giraudoux (; 29 October 1882 – 31 January 1944) was a French novelist, essayist, diplomat and playwright. He is considered among the most important French dramatists of the period between World War I and World War II. His work ...
, beginning with a radical streamlining of Giraudoux's ''
Siegfried et le Limousin ''Siegfried et le Limousin'' is a novel by Jean Giraudoux published in 1922 by Grasset. This novel is famous for having brought success to its author. In the story, Giraudoux explores the hostility between two warring countries, France and Germany ...
'' (1922). Their work together included the first staging of ''
The Madwoman of Chaillot ''The Madwoman of Chaillot'' (french: La Folle de Chaillot) is a play, a poetic satire, by French dramatist Jean Giraudoux, written in 1943 and first performed in 1945, after his death. The play is in two acts. The story concerns an eccentric woma ...
'' in 1945. Jouvet starred in some 34 films, including two recordings of ''Dr. Knock'', once in 1933 and again in 1951. He was professor at the
French National Academy of Dramatic Arts French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with France ...
.


Death

He died 16 August 1951 in his dressing room at the Théâtre de l'Athénée after having a
heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may tr ...
.Louis Jouvet at cinememorial.com
in French
Jouvet is buried in the
Montmartre Cemetery The Cemetery of Montmartre (french: link=no, Cimetière de Montmartre) is a cemetery in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, France, that dates to the early 19th century. Officially known as the Cimetière du Nord, it is the third largest necropolis ...
in Paris. The Athénée theatre now bears his name.:92


Relatives

French-Argentine actor
Maurice Jouvet Maurice Jouvet (Hendaye, 3 February 1923 – Buenos Aires, 5 March 1999) was a French-born Argentine actor. He was married to actress Nelly Beltrán, with whom he had a daughter with.Peter Wyngarde Peter Paul Wyngarde (born Cyril Goldbert, 23 August 1927 – 15 January 2018) was a British television, stage and film actor from the late 1940s to the mid 1990s. He was best known for portraying the character Jason King, a bestselling novelist ...
has claimed Jouvet as his maternal uncle, but Jouvet's immediate family tree does not confirm this.


Legacy

Pixar paid homage to Jouvet by basing the appearance of the character Anton Ego in ''Ratatouille'' (2007) on him.


Theatre

* 1931: original production of '' Judith'', written by
Jean Giraudoux Hippolyte Jean Giraudoux (; 29 October 1882 – 31 January 1944) was a French novelist, essayist, diplomat and playwright. He is considered among the most important French dramatists of the period between World War I and World War II. His work ...
, at the
Théâtre Pigalle The Théâtre Pigalle was a theatre in Paris, located in the rue Pigalle in the ninth ''arrondissement''. History Opened on June 20, 1929, financed by Philippe de Rothschild on the estate of his father Henri de Rothschild, the Rothschilds' amb ...
* 1935: original production of ''
The Trojan War Will Not Take Place ''The Trojan War Will Not Take Place'' (french: La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu) is a play written in 1935 by French dramatist Jean Giraudoux. In 1955 it was translated into English by Christopher Fry with the title ''Tiger at the Gates''. The ...
'', written by
Jean Giraudoux Hippolyte Jean Giraudoux (; 29 October 1882 – 31 January 1944) was a French novelist, essayist, diplomat and playwright. He is considered among the most important French dramatists of the period between World War I and World War II. His work ...
, starring Jouvet as Homer, also starring
Madeleine Ozeray Madeleine Ozeray (13 September 1908 in Bouillon Р28 March 1989 ), was a French stage and film actress. She appeared in many films between 1932 and 1980. She is the godmother of theater actor, dancer and singer Fr̩d̩ric Norbert. Biogra ...
, at the Athénée in Paris * 1947: directed the première of
Jean Genet Jean Genet (; – ) was a French novelist, playwright, poet, essayist, and political activist. In his early life he was a vagabond and petty criminal, but he later became a writer and playwright. His major works include the novels ''The Thief's ...
's ''
The Maids ''The Maids'' (french: Les Bonnes, links=no) is a 1947 play by the French dramatist Jean Genet. It was first performed at the Théâtre de l'Athénée in Paris in a production that opened on 17 April 1947, which Louis Jouvet directed. The pla ...
'' at the Athénée in Paris on 17 April. * 1951: directed the première of
Jean-Paul Sartre Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre (, ; ; 21 June 1905 – 15 April 1980) was one of the key figures in the philosophy of existentialism (and phenomenology), a French playwright, novelist, screenwriter, political activist, biographer, and litera ...
's ''
The Devil and the Good Lord ''The Devil and the Good Lord'' (french: Le Diable et le Bon Dieu) is a 1951 play by French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. The play concerns the moral choices of its characters, warlord Goetz, clergy Heinrich, communist leader Nasti and others dur ...
'' at the Théâtre-Antoine in Paris on 7 June.


Partial filmography

* '' Topaze'' (1933) – Albert Topaze * ''Knock, ou le triomphe de la médecine'' (1935) – Dr. Knock * '' La Kermesse Heroique'' (1935) – Le chapelain / The Priest * ''
Compliments of Mister Flow ''Compliments of Mister Flow'' or ''Mister Flow'' is a 1936 French mystery film directed by Robert Siodmak and starring Fernand Gravey, Edwige Feuillère and Louis Jouvet.Greco p.190 It was based on the 1927 novel '' Mister Flow'' by Gaston Le ...
'' (1936) – Achille Durin / Mr. Flow * '' Les Bas Fonds'' (1936) – Le baron * '' Street of Shadows'' (1937) – Le commandant Simonis * ''
Life Dances On ''Life Dances On'' or ''Christine'' or ''Dance Program'' (French: ''Un carnet de bal'') is a 1937 French drama film directed by Julien Duvivier and starring Marie Bell, Françoise Rosay and Louis Jouvet. It was partly shot at the Neuilly Studio ...
'' (1937) – Pierre Verdier, dit Jo * '' Drole de Drame'' (1937) – Archibald Soper * '' The Cheat'' (1937) – Valfar * ''
The Alibi ''The Alibi'' is a 2006 American film directed by Kurt Mattila and Matt Checkowski and written by Noah Hawley. It stars Steve Coogan, Rebecca Romijn, and Selma Blair. The film was shown at 2006 CineVegas. The film was released to DVD on December ...
'' (1937) – Le commissaire Calas * ''
La Marseillaise "La Marseillaise" is the national anthem of France. The song was written in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg after the declaration of war by France against Austria, and was originally titled "Chant de guerre pour l'Armée du R ...
'' (1938) – Roederer, le procureur du département * ''
Ramuntcho ''Ramuntcho'' (1897) is a novel by French author Pierre Loti. It is a love and adventure story about contraband runners in the Basque province of France. It is one of Loti's most popular stories—"love, loss and faith remain eternal themes"—wit ...
'' (1938) – Itchoua * ''La Maison du Maltais'' (1938) – Rossignol * ''
The Shanghai Drama ''The Shanghai Drama'' (french: Le drame de Shanghaï) is a 1938 French drama film directed by G. W. Pabst and starring Christl Mardayn, Louis Jouvet and Raymond Rouleau.Kennedy-Karpat p.132-33 An exiled White Russian woman works as a cabaret ...
'' (1938) – L'aventurier Ivan * ''
The Curtain Rises ''The Curtain Rises'' (french: Entrée des artistes) is a 1938 French crime film directed by Marc Allégret and starring Louis Jouvet, Claude Dauphin and Odette Joyeux.Andrew p.144 The film's sets were designed by the art directors Jacques Kr ...
'' (1938) – Le professeur Lambertin * ''Éducation de prince'' (1938) – René Cercleux * ''
Hôtel du Nord ''Hôtel du Nord'' is a 1938 French drama film directed by Marcel Carné that stars Arletty, Louis Jouvet, Annabella, and Jean-Pierre Aumont. It tells the story of two couples in Paris, one being a prostitute and her pimp and the other two you ...
'' (1938) – Monsieur Edmond * '' La Fin du jour'' (1939) – Raphaël Saint Clair * ''
The Phantom Carriage ''The Phantom Carriage'' ( sv, Körkarlen, literally "The Wagoner") is a 1921 Swedish silent film directed by and starring Victor Sjöström, based on the 1912 novel '' Thy Soul Shall Bear Witness!'' (''Körkarlen'') by Swedish author Selma Lag ...
'' (1939) – Georges * ''
Serenade In music, a serenade (; also sometimes called a serenata, from the Italian) is a musical composition or performance delivered in honor of someone or something. Serenades are typically calm, light pieces of music. The term comes from the Italian w ...
'' (1940) – Le baron Hartmann * ''L'école des femmes'' (1940) * ''Volpone'' (1941) – Mosca * ''
Immortal France Immortality is the ability to live forever, or eternal life. Immortal or Immortality may also refer to: Film * The Immortals (1995 film), ''The Immortals'' (1995 film), an American crime film * ''Immortality'', an alternate title for the 1998 Bri ...
'' (1943) – Pierre Froment / Félix Froment * '' Un revenant'' (1946) – Jean-Jacques Sauvage * ''Copie conforme'' (1947) – Manuel Ismora – un cambrioleur de grande envergure / Gabriel Dupon – son sosie, un brave homme / Le duc de Niolles / Le déménageur / Le Norvégien * ''
Quai des Orfèvres ''Quai des Orfèvres'' (; "Goldsmiths' Quay"; also known as ''Jenny Lamour'') is a 1947 French police procedural drama film based on the book ''Légitime défense'' by Stanislas-Andre Steeman. Directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot the film stars S ...
'' (1947) – L'inspecteur adjoint Antoine * '' Monelle'' (1948) – Gérard Favier * ''
Between Eleven and Midnight ''Between Eleven and Midnight'' (French: ''Entre onze heures et minuit'') is a 1949 French mystery crime film directed by Henri Decoin and starring stars Louis Jouvet, Madeleine Robinson and Monique Mélinand.Palmer & Michael p.221 Yvette Etià ...
'' (1949) – L'inspecteur Carrel * ''
Return to Life ''Return to Life'' (french: Retour à la vie) is a 1949 French drama portmanteau film in five parts directed by Georges Lampin, André Cayatte, Henri-Georges Clouzot and Jean Dréville (who directed the last two parts). It was entered into the ...
'' (1949) – Jean Girard (segment 3 : "Le retour de Jean") * '' Miquette'' (1950) – Monchablon * ''
Lady Paname ''Lady Paname'' was a 1950 French comedy film directed and written by Henri Jeanson and starring Louis Jouvet, Suzy Delair, Henri Guisol and Henri Crémieux.Crisp p.130 It tells the story of a young female singer who tries to become a star in the ...
'' (1950) – Gambier, dit Bagnolet – un photographe anarchiste * '' Dr. Knock'' (1951) – Docteur Knock * ''Une histoire d'amour'' (1951) – L'inspecteur Ernest Plonche (final film role)


References


External links

* * *
Full text of English-language Jouvet biography online
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jouvet, Louis 1887 births 1951 deaths French male stage actors French theatre directors French military personnel of World War I Officiers of the Légion d'honneur Burials at Montmartre Cemetery French male film actors People from Finistère 20th-century French male actors