Michel Simon (; 9 April 1895 – 30 May 1975) was a Swiss-French actor. He appeared in many notable French films, including ''

La Chienne ''La Chienne'' ( en, italic=yes, The Bitch) is a 1931 France, French film by director Jean Renoir. It is the second sound film by the director and the twelfth film of his career. The film is based on the eponymous story "La Chienne" by Georges ...

'' (1931), ''

Boudu Saved from Drowning ''Boudu Saved from Drowning'' (french: Boudu sauvé des eaux, "Boudu saved from the waters") is a 1932 French social satire comedy of manners film directed by Jean Renoir. Renoir wrote the film's screenplay, from the 1919 play by René Fauchoi ...

'' (1932), ''

L'Atalante ''L'Atalante'', also released as ''Le Chaland qui passe'' ("The Passing Barge"), is a 1934 French film written and directed by Jean Vigo, and starring Jean Dasté, Dita Parlo and Michel Simon. After the difficult release of his controversial ...

'' (1934), '' Port of Shadows'' (1938), '' The Head'' (1959), and '' The Train'' (1964).

Early years

Simon was born on 9 April 1895 in

Geneva Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevra ; rm, Genevra is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and the most populous city of Romandy, the French-speaki ...

Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...

to a

Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

butcher and a

Protestant Protestantism is a Christian denomination, branch of Christianity that follows the theological tenets of the Reformation, Protestant Reformation, a movement that began seeking to reform the Catholic Church from within in the 16th century agai ...

mother. He left his family and moved to Paris, where he first lived at the Hotel Renaissance, Saint-Martin Street, then in

Montmartre Montmartre ( , ) is a large hill in Paris's northern 18th arrondissement. It is high and gives its name to the surrounding district, part of the Right Bank. The historic district established by the City of Paris in 1995 is bordered by Rue Ca ...

. He worked many different jobs to survive, such as giving boxing lessons and peddling smuggled lighters. His career began modestly in 1912, working as a magician,

clown A clown is a person who performs comedy and arts in a state of open-mindedness using physical comedy, typically while wearing distinct makeup or costuming and reversing folkway-norms. History The most ancient clowns have been found in ...

acrobat Acrobatics () is the performance of human feats of balance, agility, and motor coordination. Acrobatic skills are used in performing arts, sporting events, and martial arts. Extensive use of acrobatic skills are most often performed in acro ...

, and stooge in a dancers' show called "Ribert's and Simon's", in the

Montreuil-sous-Bois Montreuil (), sometimes unofficially referred to as Montreuil-sous-Bois (), is a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris in Seine-Saint-Denis. With a population of 109,914 as of 2018, Montreuil is ...

Casino. Conscripted into the

Swiss Army The Swiss Armed Forces (german: Schweizer Armee, french: Armée suisse, it, Esercito svizzero, rm, Armada svizra; ) operates on land and in the air, serving as the primary armed forces of Switzerland. Under the country's militia system, re ...

in 1914, he spent time in the stockade. He also contracted

tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by '' Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections show no symptoms, in ...

. In 1915, while on leave, he saw

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 ...

's early work in the French language, at the Theatre de la Comédie of Geneva, acting in ''

Hedda Gabler ''Hedda Gabler'' () is a play written by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. The world premiere was staged on 31 January 1891 at the Residenztheater in Munich. Ibsen himself was in attendance, although he remained back-stage. The play has been can ...

'', and was inspired to become an actor himself. In 1920 he made his first brief appearance on stage, with Pitoëff's company, speaking three lines in Shakespeare's ''

Measure for Measure ''Measure for Measure'' is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603 or 1604 and first performed in 1604, according to available records. It was published in the ''First Folio'' of 1623. The play's plot features its ...

''. He also worked at this time as the company's photographer. One of his early successes was a supporting role in

George Bernard Shaw George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950), known at his insistence simply as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from ...

's '' Androcles and the Lion''. In 1922, Pitoëff's company moved to Paris at the Comédie des Champs-Élysées. Simon quit the company in 1923 to become a light comedy actor in plays by

Tristan Bernard Tristan Bernard (7 September 1866 – 7 December 1947) was a French playwright, novelist, journalist and lawyer. Life He studied law, and after his military service, he started his career as the manager of an aluminium smelter. In the 1890s, ...

Marcel Achard Marcel Achard (5 July 1899 – 4 September 1974) was a French playwright and screenwriter whose popular sentimental comedies Garzanti p. 3 maintained his position as a highly recognizable name in his country's theatrical and literary circles ...

and

Yves Mirande Yves Mirande (Bagneux (Maine-et-Loire), May 8, 1876 – Paris, March 17, 1957) was a French screenwriter, director, actor, and producer. Career Yves Mirande began his acting career in the theater, transitioning to movies in the silent era. F ...

. Achard presented him to

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 ...

, in whose company he acted in ''Je ne vous aime pas'' with Valentine Tessier.

Theatrical success and his transition to film

Louis Jouvet, who had replaced Pitoëff, hired Simon at the Comédie des Champs-Élysées. Simon then gave a successful performance in Archard's ''Jean de la Lune'' as Cloclo. In the 1930s, Simon's theatrical career rose to prominence with performances in works by

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

Bernard Shaw George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950), known at his insistence simply as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from ...

, Pirandello,

Oscar Wilde Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (16 October 185430 November 1900) was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular playwrights in London in the early 1890s. He is ...

, Bourdet, and

Henri Bernstein Henri-Léon-Gustave-Charles Bernstein (20 June 1876 – 27 November 1953) was a French playwright associated with Boulevard theatre. Biography Bernstein was born in Paris. His earliest plays, including ''La Rafale'' (1905), ''Le Voleur'' (1907), ...

. However, it was film that brought him stardom and international recognition. Simon's first film appearance was in the 1925 silent film, ''

Feu Mathias Pascal ''Feu Mathias Pascal'' (''The late Matthias Pascal'') is a 1925 French silent film written and directed by Marcel L'Herbier. It was the first film adaptation of Luigi Pirandello's novel '' Il fu Mattia Pascal''. Background Since seeing a Paris ...

'', adapted from a Pirandello novel and directed by

Marcel L'Herbier Marcel L'Herbier (; 23 April 1888 – 26 November 1979) was a French filmmaker who achieved prominence as an avant-garde theorist and imaginative practitioner with a series of silent films in the 1920s. His career as a director continued unti ...

. In the same year, he starred in the modestly budgeted ''The Vocation of André Carel'', directed by

Jean Choux Jean Choux (1887–1946) was a French/Swiss film director and producer born in Geneva. Filmography * '' La Vocation d'André Carel'' (1925) * '' La Terre qui meurt'' (1926) * '' Le Baiser qui tue'' (1927) * '' Espionnage ou la guerre sans armes'' ...

. As the silent era ended, he appeared in

Carl Theodor Dreyer Carl Theodor Dreyer (; 3 February 1889 – 20 March 1968), commonly known as Carl Th. Dreyer, was a Danish film director and screenwriter. Widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, his movies are noted for their emotional aus ...

's ''

The Passion of Joan of Arc ''The Passion of Joan of Arc'' (french: link=no, La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc) is a 1928 French silent historical film based on the actual record of the trial of Joan of Arc. The film was directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer and stars Renée Jeanne F ...

'' (1928). Simon's film career was boosted with the advent of talking pictures. People remarked that his elocution and gravelly voice were as original as his appearance. These features were exploited by notable 1930s French directors, including

Jean Renoir Jean Renoir (; 15 September 1894 – 12 February 1979) was a French film director, screenwriter, actor, producer and author. As a film director and actor, he made more than forty films from the silent film, silent era to the end of the 1960s. ...

(''La Chienne'', ''Boudu Saved From Drowning''),

Jean Vigo Jean Vigo (; 26 April 1905 – 5 October 1934) was a French film director who helped establish poetic realism in film in the 1930s. His work influenced French New Wave cinema of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Biography Vigo was born to ...

(''L'Atalante'') and

Marcel Carné Marcel Albert Carné (; 18 August 1906 – 31 October 1996) was a French film director. A key figure in the poetic realism movement, Carné's best known films include '' Port of Shadows'' (1938), ''Le Jour Se Lève'' (1939), '' The Devil's Envoys ...

(''Port of the Shadows'', ''Bizarre, Bizarre''). He appeared in 55 plays from 1920 to 1965, and 101 from 1965 to 1975. In the 1950s, Simon reined in his activities following an accident involving a makeup dye that left part of his face and body paralyzed. Michel Simon in The Train (1964) trailer

Michel Simon in The Train (1964) trailer

In 1967, he won the

Silver Bear for Best Actor The Silver Bear for Best Actor (german: Silberner Bär/Bester Darsteller) was an award presented at the Berlin International Film Festival from 1956 to 2020. It was given to an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance and was chosen by ...

at the 17th Berlin International Film Festival for his role in ''

The Two of Us ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

''. He died at 80 years of age from a pulmonary embolism and is buried in the Grand-Lancy Cemetery of

, next to his parents.

Eccentricities

Simon would say that he preferred "living with animals than humans". He lived for a long time in a bohemian house in

Noisy-le-Grand Noisy-le-Grand () is a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. The commune of Noisy-le-Grand is part of the sector of Porte de Paris, one of the four sectors of the "new town" of Marne-la-Vallée. ...

, near Paris. He built a series of exterior wire tunnels that linked the various floors and allowed his pet monkeys freedom to roam around. The house was filled with bric-a-brac, including his large collection of

erotic Eroticism () is a quality that causes sexual feelings, as well as a philosophical contemplation concerning the aesthetics of sexual desire, sensuality, and romantic love. That quality may be found in any form of artwork, including painting, scul ...

photographs and films. The collection was dispersed after his death.

Selected filmography

* ''La galerie des monstres'' (1924) * ''The Vocation of André Carel'' (1925), Gaston Lebeau * ''

'' (1926, directed by

), Jérôme Pomino * ''L'inconnue des six jours'' (1926), Le valet de chambre * ''

The Loves of Casanova ''The Loves of Casanova'' or ''Casanova'' is a 1927 French Historical drama film directed by Alexandre Volkoff and starring Ivan Mozzhukhin, Suzanne Bianchetti and Diana Karenne. The film portrays the life and adventures of Giacomo Casanova ( ...

'' (1927), Sbire * ''

'' (1928, directed by

), Jean Lemaître * ''Tire au flanc'' (1928), Joseph Turlot * ''Pivoine'' (1929) * ''L'enfant de l'amour'' (1930), Lorédan * ''Jean de la Lune'' (1931), Clothaire dit Clo-Clo * ''

On purge bébé ''On purge bébé'' (''Baby's Laxative'') is Jean Renoir's first sound film, based upon the play by Georges Feydeau. It is a 1931 comedy about a supposedly unbreakable chamberpot and a constipated baby. It is known for mocking the French bourgeo ...

'' (1931, directed by

), Chouilloux * ''

'' (1931, directed by

), Maurice Legrand * ''Baleydier'' (1932), Baleydier * ''

'' (1932, directed by

), Priape Boudu * '' High and Low'' (1933, directed by

G. W. Pabst Georg Wilhelm Pabst (25 August 1885 – 29 May 1967) was an Austrian film director and screenwriter. He started as an actor and theater director, before becoming one of the most influential German-language filmmakers during the Weimar Republic. ...

), Maximilian Podeletz * ''Léopold le bien-aimé'' (1934), M. Ponce * '' Miquette'' (1934), Monchablon * ''

Lake of Ladies ''Lake of Ladies'' or ''Ladies Lake'' (French: ''Lac aux dames'') is a 1934 French drama film directed by Marc Allégret and starring Rosine Deréan, Simone Simon and Illa Meery.Bergfelder, Harris & Street p.78 The film's sets were designed by ...

'' (1934), Oscar Lyssenhop * ''

'' (1934, directed by

), Old Jules * '' Le Bonheur'' (1934, directed by

), Noël Malpiaz * ''Adémaï au moyen âge'' (1935), Lord Pickwickdam * ''Amants et voleurs'' (1935), Perrot-Joly * '' Under Western Eyes'' (1936), Lespara * ''

Moutonnet ''Moutonnet'' is a 1936 French comedy film directed by René Sti and starring Noël-Noël, Lucien Rozenberg and Michel Simon.Crisp p.408 Cast * Noël-Noël as Moutonnet et Mérac * Lucien Rozenberg as Dumonthal * Michel Simon as Frècheville ...

'' (1936), Frècheville * ''

The Brighton Twins ''The Brighton Twins'' (French: ''Les jumeaux de Brighton'') is a 1936 French comedy film directed by Claude Heymann and starring Raimu, Michel Simon and Suzy Prim.Crisp p.407 It is based on the 1908 play of the same title by Tristan Bernard. ...

'' (1936), Labrosse * ''

Girls of Paris ''Girls of Paris'' (French: ''Jeunes filles de Paris'') is a 1936 French film directed by Claude Vermorel and starring Michel Simon, Mireille Balin and Paul Azaïs.Crisp p.497 Cast * Michel Simon as Baron de Beaupoil and his brother * Mireill ...

'' (1936), Baron de Beaupoil and his brother * ''

Death on the Run ''Death on the Run'' (Italian: ''Bersaglio mobile''), also known as ''Moving Target'', is a 1967 Italian Eurospy film directed by Sergio Corbucci. Filmed in Athens,''Films and Filming'', Volume 14, Hansom Books, 1968. it was referred as a film ...

'' (1936), Achille Baluchet * ''

Let's Make a Dream ''Let's Make a Dream'' (French: ''Faisons un rêve...'') is a 1936 French romantic comedy film directed by Sacha Guitry and starring Guitry, Raimu and Jacqueline Delubac.Oscherwitz & Higgins p.24 It is an adaptation of the 1916 play of the same t ...

'' (1936), Un invité (prologue) * ''Le choc en retour'' (1937), Laverdac * ''Boulot aviateur'' (1937), Baron Gobèche * ''

The Silent Battle ''The Silent Battle'' is a 1939 British thriller film directed by Herbert Mason and starring Rex Harrison, Valerie Hobson and John Loder. It is also known by the alternative titles ''Continental Express'' and ''Peace in our Time''. It was insp ...

'' (1937), Sauvin * ''

Bizarre, Bizarre ''Bizarre, Bizarre'' (french: Drôle de drame) is a 1937 French comedy film directed by Marcel Carné. It is based on the 1912 novel '' His First Offence'' by J. Storer Clouston. Plot At a meeting in London, Bishop Soper denounces scandalous li ...

'' (1937, directed by

), Irwin Molyneux * ''

The Kiss of Fire ''The Kiss of Fire'' (French: ''Naples au baiser de feu'') is a 1937 French romantic comedy film directed by Augusto Genina and starring Tino Rossi, Michel Simon, Mireille Balin and Viviane Romance.Plastino & Sciorra p.128 The film is based on th ...

'' (1937), Michel * '' Mirages'' (1938), Michel * '' Boys' School'' (1938, directed by

Christian-Jaque Christian-Jaque (byname of Christian Maudet; 4 September 1904 – 8 July 1994) was a French filmmaker. From 1954 to 1959, he was married to actress Martine Carol, who starred in several of his films, including ''Lucrèce Borgia'' (1953), '' ...

), Lemel * '' Port of Shadows'' (1939, directed by

), Zabel * ''Les Nouveaux Riches'' (1938), Martinet * '' Beautiful Star'' (1938), Léon * ''Belle étoile'' (1938), Le comte Edouard de Bourgogne dit 'L'Escargot' * '' Mother Love'' (1938), Michel Quercy * ''Le règne de l'esprit malin'' (1938), Luc * ''Noix de coco'' (1939), Josserand * ''Eusèbe député'' (1939), Eusèbe Bonbonneau * ''

Behind the Facade ''Behind the Facade'' (French: ''Derrière la façade'') is a 1939 French drama film directed by Georges Lacombe and Yves Mirande and starring Lucien Baroux, Jules Berry and André Lefaur.Aitken p.511 The film's sets were designed by the art di ...

'' (1939), Picking * '' The End of the Day'' (1939), Cabrisssade * '' The Last Turning'' (1939, based on the novel '' The Postman Always Rings Twice''), Nick Marino * ''

Fric-Frac ''Fric-Frac'' is a 1939 French comedy film directed by Maurice Lehmann and Claude Autant-Lara, starring Fernandel, Arletty and Michel Simon. It tells the story of Marcel, an assistant to a jeweller, who befriends a couple of criminals who want to ...

'' (1939, directed by

Claude Autant-Lara Claude Autant-Lara (; 5 August 1901 – 5 February 2000) was a French film director and later Member of the European Parliament (MEP). Biography Born at Luzarches in Val-d'Oise, Autant-Lara was educated in France and at London's Mill Hill Sc ...

Maurice Lehmann Maurice Lehmann (1895–1974) was a French actor, director and producer of the stage and screen. He starred in the 1923 film '' Koenigsmark'' in which he played the title role. In 1956 he was appointed President of the Jury in the Cannes Film Fe ...

), Jo * ''

Extenuating Circumstances In criminal law, a mitigating factor, also known as an extenuating circumstance, is any information or evidence presented to the court regarding the defendant or the circumstances of the crime that might result in reduced charges or a lesser sente ...

'' (1939), M. Gaetan Le Sentencier, 'La Sentence' * ''

Love Cavalcade ''Love Cavalcade'' (french: Cavalcade d'amour) is a 1940 French film directed by Raymond Bernard and written by Jean Anouilh. Plot Three episodes show how the owners of a certain French castle experience dramatic issues with their love interests. ...

'' (1939),

Diogenes Diogenes ( ; grc, Διογένης, Diogénēs ), also known as Diogenes the Cynic (, ) or Diogenes of Sinope, was a Greek philosopher and one of the founders of Cynicism (philosophy). He was born in Sinope, an Ionian colony on the Black Sea ...

, Monseigneur de Beaupré, and Lacouret * ''

Musicians of the Sky ''Musicians of the Sky'' (French:''Les Musiciens du ciel'') is a 1940 French language motion picture drama directed by Georges Lacombe, based on novel "Musiciens Du Ceil" by René Lefèvre who co-wrote screenplay with Jean Ferry. The music sco ...

'' (1940), Captain Simon * ''

Paris-New York ''Paris-New York'' (French: ''Paris New-York'') is a 1940 French comedy film directed by Yves Mirande, Claude Heymann and Georges Lacombe. It stars Gaby Morlay, Michel Simon and André Lefaur.Oscherwitz & Higgins p.306 It was shot at the Cité ...

'' (1940), Commissioner Boucheron * '' La Comédie du bonheur'' (1940, directed by

), François Jourdain/Giambattista Giordano (Italian version, ''Ecco la felicità'') * ''

Tosca ''Tosca'' is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It premiered at the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, Teatro Costanzi in Rome on 14 January 1900. The work, based on Victorien Sardou's 1 ...

'' (1941, directed by Carl Koch), Baron Scarpia * ''

The King's Jester ''The King's Jester'' ( it, Il re si diverte) is a 1941 Italian historical drama film directed by Mario Bonnard and starring Michel Simon, María Mercader and Rossano Brazzi. The film is an adaptation of the play ''Le roi s'amuse'' by Victor Hug ...

'' (1941), Rigoletto * '' Girl of the Golden West'' (1942), Butler / Carras * ''

Shop Girls of Paris ''Shop Girls of Paris'' or ''The Ladies' Delight'' (French: ''Au Bonheur des Dames'') is a 1943 French historical drama film directed by André Cayatte and starring Michel Simon, Albert Préjean and Blanchette Brunoy.Lanzoni p.110 It is an adap ...

'' (1943), Baudu * ''Vautrin the Thief'' (1943), Jacques Collin dit Vautrin * ''

A Friend Will Come Tonight ''A Friend Will Come Tonight'' (French: ''Un ami viendra ce soir'') is a 1946 French drama film directed by Raymond Bernard and starring Michel Simon, Madeleine Sologne and Paul Bernard.Rège p.620 The film's sets were designed by the art direc ...

'' (1946), Michel Lemaret * ''

Panic Panic is a sudden sensation of fear, which is so strong as to dominate or prevent reason and logical thinking, replacing it with overwhelming feelings of anxiety and frantic agitation consistent with an animalistic fight-or-flight reactio ...

(Panique)'' (1946, directed by

Julien Duvivier Julien Duvivier (; 8 October 1896 – 29 October 1967) was a French film director and screenwriter. He was prominent in French cinema in the years 1930–1960. Amongst his most original films, chiefly notable are ''La Bandera (film), La Bandera'', ...

), Monsieur Hire * ''La taverne du poisson couronné'' (1947), Capitaine Palmer * '' Not Guilty'' (1947), Le docteur Michel Ancelin * '' Les Amants du pont Saint-Jean'' (1947), Alcide Garonne * ''La carcasse et le tord-cou'' (1948), Joseph Ferdinand Anselme Midot, dit 'Le tord-cou' * '' Fabiola'' (1949), Senator Fabius Severus * ''

Beauty and the Devil ''La Beauté du diable'' (literally "the beauty of the devil"; originally released in the UK and USA as ''Beauty and the Devil'') is a 1950 Franco-Italian fantasy film drama directed by René Clair. A tragicomedy set in the early 19th century, it ...

'' (1950, directed by

René Clair René Clair (11 November 1898 – 15 March 1981), born René-Lucien Chomette, was a French filmmaker and writer. He first established his reputation in the 1920s as a director of silent films in which comedy was often mingled with fantasy. He wen ...

), Mephistopheles / Old Professor Henri Faust * ''

Poison Poison is a chemical substance that has a detrimental effect to life. The term is used in a wide range of scientific fields and industries, where it is often specifically defined. It may also be applied colloquially or figuratively, with a broa ...

'' (1951, directed by Sacha Guitry), Paul-Louis Victor Braconnier * ''

Monsieur Taxi ''Monsieur Taxi'' is a 1952 French comedy film directed André Hunebelle and starring Michel Simon and Jane Marken and Jean Brochard.Bessy & Chirat p.189 It is about Pierre Verger, who is nicknamed Monsieur Taxi and always in company of a smart ...

'' (1952), Pierre Verger (Monsieur Taxi) * ' (1952), Le commissaire Jules Maigret ("Le témoignage d'un enfant de choeur" segment) * ''Das Geheimnis vom Bergsee'' (1952), Bürgermeister (French version) * ''

The Girl with the Whip ''The Girl with the Whip'' (German: ''Das Mädel mit der Peitsche'') is a 1929 German silent comedy film directed by Carl Lamac and starring Anny Ondra, Werner Fuetterer and Sig Arno.Prawer p.123 It was shot at the Johannisthal Studios in Berl ...

'' (1952), Le tuteur d'Angelina * ''

The Temptress ''The Temptress'' is a 1926 American silent romantic drama film directed by Fred Niblo and starring Greta Garbo, Antonio Moreno, Lionel Barrymore, and Roy D'Arcy. It premiered on October 10, 1926. The film melodrama was based on a novel by ...

'' (1952), Cidoni * '' Crimson Curtain'' (1952), Bertal / Banquo * '' The Road to Damascus'' (1952), Caïphe * ''

The Merchant of Venice ''The Merchant of Venice'' is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. A merchant in Venice named Antonio defaults on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender, Shylock. Although classified as ...

'' (1953), Shylock * ''

The Virtuous Scoundrel ''The Virtuous Scoundrel'' (French: ''La Vie d'un honnête homme''), is a 1953 French comedy drama film directed and written by Sacha Guitry and starring Michel Simon, Marguerite Pierry and Laurence Badie.Crisp p.263 It was shot at Photosonor ...

'' (1953), Albert and Alain Ménard-Lacoste * ''

Women of Paris ''Women of Paris'' (French: ''Femmes de Paris'') is a 1953 French comedy drama film directed by Jean Boyer and starring Michel Simon, Brigitte Auber and Henri Génès.Tsikounas p.68 Cast * Michel Simon as Professeur Charles Buisson * Brigitte ...

'' (1953), Professor Charles Buisson * ''

Saadia Saʻadiah ben Yosef Gaon ( ar, سعيد بن يوسف الفيومي ''Saʻīd bin Yūsuf al-Fayyūmi''; he, סַעֲדְיָה בֶּן יוֹסֵף אַלְפַיּוּמִי גָּאוֹן ''Saʿăḏyāh ben Yōsēf al-Fayyūmī Gāʾōn''; ...

'' (1953), Bou Rezza * '' L'Étrange Désir de monsieur Bard'' (1954), Auguste Bard * '' A Slice of Life'' (1954), Padre Silvio (segment "Casa d'altri") * ''

Hungarian Rhapsody The Hungarian Rhapsodies, S.244, R.106 (french: Rhapsodies hongroises, german: Ungarische Rhapsodien, hu, Magyar rapszódiák), is a set of 19 piano pieces based on Hungarian folk themes, composed by Franz Liszt during 1846–1853, and late ...

'' (1954), General von Sayn-Wittgenstein * ''

At the Order of the Czar ''At the Order of the Czar'' (French: ''Par ordre du tsar'') is a 1954 French-West German historical drama film directed by André Haguet and starring Michel Simon, Colette Marchand and Jacques François.Mitchell, p. 107 A separate German-languag ...

'' (1954), Prince de Sayn-Wittgenstein * '' The Impossible Mr. Pipelet'' (1955, directed by

André Hunebelle André Hunebelle (1 September 1896 – 27 November 1985) was a French maître verrier (master glassmaker) and film director. Master Glass Artist After attending polytechnic school for mathematics, he became a decorator, a designer, and then a mas ...

), Maurice Martin * ''Mémoires d'un flic'' (1956), Le commissaire principal Henri Dominique * ''La joyeuse prison'' (1956), Benoit - le surveillant-chef * ''Les 3 font la paire'' (1957), Commissaire Bernard * '' A Certain Monsieur Jo'' (1958), Joseph 'Jo' Guardini * ''

It Happened in Broad Daylight ( en, It Happened in Broad Daylight) is a 1958 Swiss-West German-Spanish thriller film directed by Ladislao Vajda. The original screenplay was written by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, a Swiss playwright and novelist, and the first incarnation of the fil ...

'' (1959, directed by

Ladislao Vajda Ladislao Vajda (born Weisz László; 18 August 1906, Budapest – 25 March 1965, Barcelona) was a Hungarian-Spanish film director who made films in Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Italy and West Germany. Biography He was born in Budapest, ...

), Jacquier * '' The Head'' (1959, directed by

Victor Trivas Victor Trivas (July 9, 1896 – April 12, 1970) was a Russian-JewishSiegbert Salomon Prawer, ''Between Two Worlds: The Jewish Presence in German and Austrian Film, 1910-1933'', Berghahn Books (2007), p. 211 screenwriter and film director. He was nom ...

), Professor Abel * ''

Austerlitz Austerlitz may refer to: History * Battle of Austerlitz, an 1805 victory by the French Grand Army of Napoleon Bonaparte Places * Austerlitz, German name for Slavkov u Brna in the Czech Republic, which gave its name to the Battle of Austerlitz a ...

'' (1960), Alboise * ' (1960, directed by

François Villiers François Villiers (2 March 1920 – 29 January 2009) Chevalier of the Legion of Honor was a French film director. He was responsible for several films, from '' Hans le marin'' in 1949, to ''Manika, une vie plus tard'', in 1989, which won the ...

), Pierrot * ''

Candide ou l'optimisme au XXe siècle ( , ) is a French satire written by Voltaire, a philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment, first published in 1759. The novella has been widely translated, with English versions titled ''Candide: or, All for the Best'' (1759); ''Candide: or, T ...

'' (1960, an adaptation of

Voltaire François-Marie Arouet (; 21 November 169430 May 1778) was a French Age of Enlightenment, Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher. Known by his ''Pen name, nom de plume'' M. de Voltaire (; also ; ), he was famous for his wit, and his ...

's ''

Candide ( , ) is a French satire written by Voltaire, a philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment, first published in 1759. The novella has been widely translated, with English versions titled ''Candide: or, All for the Best'' (1759); ''Candide: or, The ...

''), Colonel Nanar * ' (1961) directed by Denys de la Patelliére), Charles-Edmond Larmentiel * '' The Devil and the Ten Commandments'' (1962, directed by

), Jérôme Chambard ("Dieu en vain ne jureras" and "Les Dimanches tu garderas" segments) * ''

Marco Polo Marco Polo (, , ; 8 January 1324) was a Venetian merchant, explorer and writer who travelled through Asia along the Silk Road between 1271 and 1295. His travels are recorded in ''The Travels of Marco Polo'' (also known as ''Book of the Marv ...

'' (1962) * '' The Train'' (1964, directed by

John Frankenheimer John Michael Frankenheimer (February 19, 1930 – July 6, 2002) was an American film and television director known for social dramas and action/suspense films. Among his credits were ''Birdman of Alcatraz'' (1962), ''The Manchurian Candidate'' (1 ...

), Papa Boule * ''

Cyrano and d'Artagnan ''Cyrano and d'Artagnan'' () is a 1964 French adventure film directed by Abel Gance, starring José Ferrer and Jean-Pierre Cassel. It is set in 1642 and tells the story of how the poet and duelist Cyrano de Bergerac teams up with the musketeer Ch ...

'' (1964), Duc de Mauvières * ''Deux heures à tuer'' (1966), L'employé de la consigne * ''

'' (1967, directed by

Claude Berri Claude Berri (; 1 July 1934 – 12 January 2009) was a French film director, writer, producer, actor and distributor. Early life Born Claude Beri Langmann in Paris, Berri was the son of Jewish immigrant parents. His mother, Beila (née Bercu), w ...

), Pépé Dupont * ''The Marriage Came Tumbling Down'' (1968), Le vieux Jéricho * ''Contestazione generale'' (1970), Cavazza * ''La maison'' (1970), Louis Compiegne * ''Blanche'' (1971, directed by

Walerian Borowczyk Walerian Borowczyk (21 October 1923 – 3 February 2006) was an internationally known Polish film director described by film critics as a 'genius who also happened to be a pornographer'. He directed 40 films between 1946 and 1988. Borowczyk sett ...

), Le châtelain * ''

The Most Wonderful Evening of My Life ''The Most Wonderful Evening of My Life'' (Italian: ''La più bella serata della mia vita''; French: ''La plus belle soirée de ma vie'') is a 1972 Italian- French comedy drama film directed by Ettore Scola. It is based on the novel '' A Danger ...

'' (1972, directed by

Ettore Scola Ettore Scola (; 10 May 1931 – 19 January 2016) was an Italian screenwriter and film director. He received a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film in 1978 for his film ''A Special Day'' and over the course of his film career was nominated for fiv ...

), Attorney Zorn * ''Le boucher, la star et l'orpheline'' (1975), L'érotologue * ' (1975, directed by

Jean-Pierre Mocky Jean-Pierre Mocky (6 July 1929 – 8 August 2019), pseudonym of Jean-Paul Adam Mokiejewski, was a French film director, actor, screenwriter and producer. Life and career Mocky was born in Nice, France to Polish immigrant parents, Jeanne Zylinska ...

)

References

External links

* * * *
Michel Simon
at Films de France
Geneva tourism website about his life
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simon, Michel 1895 births 1975 deaths Swiss male film actors Swiss male silent film actors French male stage actors French male film actors French male silent film actors Deaths from pulmonary embolism Actors from Geneva 20th-century French male actors Silver Bear for Best Actor winners Swiss military personnel