Louis Jourdan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Louis Jourdan
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Jourdan in 1959
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| Born |
Louis Robert Gendre
19 June 1921 Marseille, France
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| Died | 14 February 2015 (aged 93) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1939–1992 |
| Spouse(s) |
Berthe Frédérique "Quique" Jourdan
(m. 1946; died 2014) |
| Children | 1 |
Louis Jourdan (born Louis Robert Gendre; 19 June 1921 – 14 February 2015) was a French actor. He was famous for playing charming characters in many Hollywood movies. Some of his well-known films include Gigi (1958) and the James Bond movie Octopussy (1983). He also played Dracula in a 1977 TV show.
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Growing Up in France
Louis Jourdan was born in Marseille, France, in 1921. His full name was Louis Robert Gendre. He was one of three sons. His father owned a hotel.
Louis studied acting at a special school called the École Dramatique. While he was there, he started acting on stage. A director named Marc Allégret noticed him. He hired Louis to work on a movie set.
Louis was supposed to be in his first movie, Le Corsaire, in 1939. But World War II started, and the movie was never finished.
World War II and the French Resistance
During World War II, Louis Jourdan was too young to join the army. He was asked to make movies that supported Germany, but he refused. He went to live with his family in a part of France that was not occupied by German forces.
While there, he made ten movies in two years. His father was arrested by the Gestapo, the German secret police. But he escaped and joined the French Resistance. The Resistance was a group of people who secretly fought against the German occupation. Louis and his family also helped the Resistance. He said he helped print and give out illegal leaflets.
After France was freed in 1945, Louis went back to Paris. He married his childhood sweetheart, Berthe Frédérique, in 1946. Everyone called her "Quique."
Becoming a Hollywood Star
Louis Jourdan was known for being very smooth and charming. A talent scout saw him in a French movie. In 1946, he was offered a contract to work in Hollywood.
His first American movie was The Paradine Case (1947). It was a drama directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Louis also acted in a play in Los Angeles.
Louis sometimes disagreed with the movie studio. He was suspended a few times for not wanting to play certain roles.
He starred with Joan Fontaine in the movie Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948). People said his acting showed how his character changed over time.
After a few years, Louis decided to buy out his contract. He paid $50,000 to be free to choose his own roles.
Big Roles and Success
Louis Jourdan continued to make movies. He was in Bird of Paradise (1951) and Anne of the Indies (1951).
In 1954, Louis Jourdan made his first appearance on Broadway, which is the famous theater district in New York City. He played the main role in a play called The Immoralist. He also started acting on American TV in 1955.
He starred with Grace Kelly in The Swan (1956). He also played a villain in the thriller Julie (1956) with Doris Day.
One of his most famous roles was in Gigi (1958). He played the romantic lead alongside Leslie Caron. This movie won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It was a huge success!
He also appeared in The Best of Everything (1959) and the musical Can-Can (1960) with Frank Sinatra.
Louis Jourdan starred in a French movie version of The Count of Monte Cristo (1961). This movie was very popular in France. He also appeared in another big hit, The V.I.P.s (1963).
He continued to act in many movies and TV shows. He played Count Dracula in a 1977 BBC TV show. He was also a villain in an episode of the TV series Columbo in 1978.
Later Career and James Bond
In his later career, Louis Jourdan played the villain Anton Arcane in the movie Swamp Thing (1982) and its sequel.
He also recorded audiobooks of the Babar the Elephant stories.
In 1983, Louis Jourdan played the main villain, Kamal Khan, in the James Bond movie Octopussy. This was another very famous role for him.
His last movie role was in Year of the Comet (1992).
Life Off-Screen
Louis Jourdan was married to his childhood sweetheart, Berthe Frédérique, for many years. They had one son, Louis Henry Jourdan, born in 1951. Sadly, their son passed away in 1981 at the age of 29. Berthe passed away in 2014.
After he stopped acting in 1992, Louis Jourdan lived in Los Angeles. In 2010, he received a special honor from France called the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur. This is a very important award. His friends, like Sidney Poitier and Kirk Douglas, were there for the ceremony.
Louis Jourdan has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This is a special sidewalk in Hollywood that honors famous people in entertainment.
Passing Away
Louis Jourdan passed away at his home in Beverly Hills on 14 February 2015. He was 93 years old. He was buried in Los Angeles.
Selected Movies and Shows
Louis Jourdan starred in many films and television shows. Here are some of his most well-known roles:
- The Paradine Case (1947)
- Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948)
- Madame Bovary (1949)
- Three Coins in the Fountain (1954)
- The Swan (1956)
- Gigi (1958) – Won many awards, including Best Picture.
- Can-Can (1960)
- The Count of Monte Cristo (1961)
- The V.I.P.s (1963)
- Count Dracula (1977) – TV movie where he played Dracula.
- Columbo (1978) – TV episode "Murder Under Glass."
- Swamp Thing (1982)
- Octopussy (1983) – James Bond movie where he played the villain.
- The Return of Swamp Thing (1989)
- Year of the Comet (1992) – His last film role.
Images for kids
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Jourdan in 1959
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Jourdan with Felicia Montealegre (1955)
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Credit page from Playbill for Boston tryout of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1965)
See also
In Spanish: Louis Jourdan para niños
