Pierre Brasseur (22 December 1905 – 16 August 1972), born Pierre-Albert Espinasse, was a French actor.

Biography

The son of actors Georges Espinasse and Germaine Brasseur was an actor as well. The family tradition of using the name Brasseur was continued by his son Claude and his grandson Alexandre. Renowned for playing outsized characters, Brasseur is best remembered for his (semi-fictionalised) portrayal of the actor Frédérick Lemaître in Les Enfants du Paradis (Children of Paradise, 1945) and as Docteur Génessier (more subdued) in the horror film Les Yeux sans visage (Eyes Without a Face, 1960) co-starring Alida Valli. On 30 May 1927, he performed the spoken role of the Narrator in the world premiere of Igor Stravinsky's opera-oratorio Oedipus Rex.

Honours

Brasseur was made Chevalier (Knight) of the Légion d'honneur in 1966. The following year, he was made Commandeur (Commander) of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1967.

Selected filmography