Michel Piccoli
actor • producer • director
Michel Jacques Daniel Piccoli was the son of Henri Piccoli, violinist and Marcelle Expert-Bezançon (1892-1990), pianist and daughter of the French industrialist and politician Charles Expert-Bezançon. In 1954, Michel Piccoli married actress Éléonore Hirt with whom he had a daughter, Anne-Cordélia Piccoli. In 1966, he married the singer Juliette Gréco, then in 1978 the screenwriter Ludivine Clerc, with whom he adopted two children of Polish origin, Inord and Missia. Placed in an establishment for problem children, the commitments of the young Piccoli, are made in opposition to his maternal grandfather, senator of the Third Republic, financier of the Radical Party, and important industrial painter, accused by the trade union left and by Georges Clemenceau, of having intoxicated his workmen through lead white which causes lead poisoning. Michel Piccoli then trained as an actor first with Andrée Bauer-Théraud and then during Simon. After an appearance as an extra in "Sortilèges" by Christian-Jaque in 1945, Michel Piccoli made his film debut in "Le Point Du Jour" by Louis Daquin. In the theater he distinguished himself with the Renaud-Barrault and Grenier-Hussot companies as well as at the Théâtre de Babylone. Noticed in the film "French Cancan" in 1954, he continued on stage and worked with directors Jacques Audiberti, Jean Vilar, Jean-Marie Serreau, Peter Brook, Luc Bondy, Patrice Chéreau and André Engel, and became also know in popular TV movies. Having become an atheist after a family bereavement, he met Luis Buñuel in 1956, and ironically took on the role of a priest in "La Mort En Ce Jardin". In 1959, he shot "Le Rendez-Vous De Noël", a short film by André Michel based on the short story by Malek Ouary "Le Noël Du Petit Cireur", in Algiers. The 1960s sounded his consecration, noticed in "Le Doulos" by Jean-Pierre Melville, he was revealed internationally with "Le Mépris" by Jean-Luc Godard alongside Brigitte Bardot. From then on, he toured with the greatest French and international filmmakers such as Alfred Hitchcock, Luis Buñuel, Youssef Chahine, Manoel de Oliveira... He began the 1980s with the interpretation prize at the Cannes festival in 1980, with "Le Saut Dans Le Vide" by Marco Bellocchio, and that of the Berlin festival in 1982, with "Une Étrange Affaire" by Pierre Granier-Deferre. . He worked with Jacques Doillon, Leos Carax, before trying his hand at directing. In 2001 he received the IX Europe Prize for Theatre. He was part of the jury of the 60th Cannes Film Festival in 2007, chaired by Stephen Frears. In 2011, he played in "Habemus Papam" by Nanni Moretti. The last film in which Michel Piccoli appears is the film "Le Goût Des Myrtilles", by Thomas de Thiers in 2013. Politically committed to the left, member of the Peace Movement (communist), Michel Piccoli distinguished himself by his positions against the National Front, and mobilized for Amnesty International. Michel Piccoli died on May 12, 2020 following a stroke in his mansion in Saint-Philbert-sur-Risle in Eure. His funeral takes place in Évreux on May 19, 2020, where he is cremated, his ashes are scattered within the family property.
Born: December 27, 1925 in Paris, Ile-de-France, France
Died: May 12, 2020 (age 94)
Known For
Movies & TV Credits
277 total credits across film and television
Title | Job | Year |
---|---|---|
Film Study 01 Movie | Actor | 2025 |
It's Not Me Short Film | Actor | 2024 |
Godard by Godard Movie | Actor | 2023 |
Actor | 2022 | |
Il était une fois... Champs-Elysées Limited Series | Actor | 2022 |
Marx Can Wait Movie | Actor | 2021 |
Actor | 2021 | |
Actor | 2019 | |
Dios de monoambiente Movie | Actor | 2018 |
Actor | 2017 | |
Actor | 2017 | |
Coming Apart Short Film | Actor | 2017 |
Actor | 2017 | |
Our Lady of Hormones Short Film | Actor | 2015 |
Actor | 2014 | |
Holy Motors Movie | Actor | 2012 |
Actor | 2012 | |
Lines of Wellington Movie | Actor | 2012 |
We Have a Pope Movie | Actor | 2011 |
Actor | 2011 | |
Agnes Varda: From Here to There Limited Series | Actor | 2011 |
Agnes Varda: From Here to There Limited Series | Actor | 2011 |
Actor | 2010 | |
Le Bel Âge Movie | Actor | 2009 |
Actor | 2009 | |
On War Movie | Actor | 2008 |
The Dust of Time Movie | Actor | 2008 |
The Beaches of Agnès Movie | Actor | 2008 |
Actor | 2007 | |
Actor | 2007 | |
Boxes Movie | Actor | 2007 |
Actor | 2007 | |
Sole Meeting Movie | Actor | 2007 |
Le roi Lear Movie | Actor | 2007 |
Gardens in Autumn Movie | Actor | 2006 |
Belle Toujours Movie | Actor | 2006 |
Magic Mirror Movie | Actor | 2006 |
Actor | 2006 | |
Directing | 2006 | |
Actor | 2005 | |
Actor | 2004 | |
Actor | 2003 | |
Little Lili Movie | Actor | 2003 |
That Day Movie | Actor | 2003 |
A Man, a Real One Movie | Actor | 2003 |
Actor | 2002 | |
Romy Schneider, étrange étrangère TV Special | Actor | 2002 |
I’m Going Home Movie | Actor | 2001 |
The Black Beach Movie | Directing | 2001 |
Actors Movie | Actor | 2000 |
Actor | 2000 | |
Speaking of Buñuel Movie | Actor | 2000 |
Close up Kiarostami Short Film | Actor | 2000 |
Nothing About Robert Movie | Actor | 1999 |
Libero Burro Movie | Actor | 1999 |
París-Tombuctú Movie | Actor | 1999 |
Actor | 1999 | |
Vivement dimanche TV Show | Actor | 1998 |
Actor | 1997 | |
Actor | 1997 | |
Alors voilà, Movie | Directing | 1997 |
Tykho Moon Movie | Actor | 1996 |
Actor | 1996 | |
Traveling Companion Movie | Actor | 1996 |
Party Movie | Actor | 1996 |
Actor | 1995 | |
Actor | 1995 | |
Actor | 1995 | |
Family of Lies Movie | Actor | 1995 |
The Black Angel Movie | Actor | 1994 |
The Emigrant Movie | Actor | 1994 |
Train de nuit Short Film | Actor | 1994 |
The Bear Short Film | Actor | 1994 |
Actor | 1994 | |
Train de nuit Short Film | Directing | 1994 |
Loonies at Large Movie | Actor | 1993 |
Actor | 1993 | |
Rupture(s) Movie | Actor | 1993 |
Archipel Movie | Actor | 1993 |
The Supper Movie | Actor | 1992 |
Actor | 1992 | |
Actor | 1992 | |
La Belle Noiseuse Movie | Actor | 1991 |
The Children Thief Movie | Actor | 1991 |
Against Oblivion Movie | Actor | 1991 |
Walking a Tightrope Movie | Actor | 1991 |
Actor | 1991 | |
Against Oblivion Movie | Directing | 1991 |
May Fools Movie | Actor | 1990 |
Martha and I Movie | Actor | 1990 |
Star Life Limited Series | Actor | 1990 |
The Monkey Folk Movie | Actor | 1989 |
Actor | 1988 | |
Actor | 1988 | |
Blanc de Chine Movie | Actor | 1988 |
Un coupable Movie | Actor | 1988 |
La Rumba Movie | Actor | 1987 |
Malady of Love Movie | Actor | 1987 |
The Veiled Man Movie | Actor | 1987 |
The Distant Land Movie | Actor | 1987 |
Nulle part ailleurs TV Show | Actor | 1987 |
Mauvais Sang Movie | Actor | 1986 |
The Prude Movie | Actor | 1986 |
Actor | 1986 | |
The Nonentity Movie | Actor | 1986 |
Actor | 1985 | |
Actor | 1985 | |
Adieu Bonaparte Movie | Actor | 1985 |
La Lune Movie | Actor | 1985 |
Dangerous Moves Movie | Actor | 1984 |
Long Live Life Movie | Actor | 1984 |
Actor | 1984 | |
Le Matelot 512 Movie | Actor | 1984 |
The Prize of Peril Movie | Actor | 1983 |
Actor | 1983 | |
Production | 1983 | |
A Room in Town Movie | Actor | 1982 |
The Passerby Movie | Actor | 1982 |
Godard's Passion Movie | Actor | 1982 |
Spy, Stand Up Movie | Actor | 1982 |
Actor | 1982 | |
Beyond the Door Movie | Actor | 1982 |
The Eyes, the Mouth Movie | Actor | 1982 |
Actor | 1982 | |
Actor | 1982 | |
Champs-Elysées TV Show | Actor | 1982 |
La cerisaie Movie | Actor | 1982 |
Strange Affair Movie | Actor | 1981 |
Actor | 1981 | |
Wetten, dass..? TV Show | Actor | 1981 |
Actor | 1981 | |
Confused Feelings Movie | Actor | 1981 |
Atlantic City Movie | Actor | 1980 |
A Leap in the Dark Movie | Actor | 1980 |
Actor | 1980 | |
Docteur Teyran TV Show | Actor | 1980 |
Production | 1980 | |
Actor | 1979 | |
Actor | 1979 | |
Le divorcement Movie | Actor | 1979 |
Sugar Movie | Actor | 1978 |
The Savage State Movie | Actor | 1978 |
Actor | 1978 | |
Strauberg ist da Movie | Actor | 1978 |
Fire's Share Movie | Actor | 1978 |
The Savage State Movie | Production | 1978 |
Spoiled Children Movie | Actor | 1977 |
The Accuser Movie | Actor | 1977 |
Rene the Cane Movie | Actor | 1977 |
Mado Movie | Actor | 1976 |
The Last Woman Movie | Actor | 1976 |
F as in Fairbanks Movie | Actor | 1976 |
One Way or Another Movie | Actor | 1976 |
Actor | 1975 | |
Leonor Movie | Actor | 1975 |
Weak Spot Movie | Actor | 1975 |
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche TV Show | Actor | 1975 |
Midi Première TV Show | Actor | 1975 |
Apostrophes TV Show | Actor | 1975 |
Production | 1975 | |
Leonor Movie | Production | 1975 |
Weak Spot Movie | Production | 1975 |
The Infernal Trio Movie | Actor | 1974 |
Actor | 1974 | |
Actor | 1974 | |
Actor | 1974 | |
Life Size Movie | Actor | 1974 |
Un amour de pluie Movie | Actor | 1974 |
Actor | 1974 | |
Spécial cinéma TV Show | Actor | 1974 |
Nouvelles d'Henry James TV Show | Actor | 1974 |
Production | 1974 | |
Life Size Movie | Production | 1974 |
La Grande Bouffe Movie | Actor | 1973 |
Themroc Movie | Actor | 1973 |
Wedding in Blood Movie | Actor | 1973 |
The Woman in Blue Movie | Actor | 1973 |
Far West Movie | Actor | 1973 |
Cesar and Rosalie Movie | Actor | 1972 |
Actor | 1972 | |
Liza Movie | Actor | 1972 |
The Audience Movie | Actor | 1972 |
The Assassination Movie | Actor | 1972 |
Midi Trente TV Show | Actor | 1972 |
Max and the Junkmen Movie | Actor | 1971 |
Ten Days' Wonder Movie | Actor | 1971 |
Touch and Go Movie | Actor | 1971 |
V.I.P.-Schaukel TV Show | Actor | 1971 |
Samedi soir TV Show | Actor | 1971 |
The Things of Life Movie | Actor | 1970 |
Invasion Movie | Actor | 1970 |
Treffpunkte TV Show | Actor | 1970 |
Topaz Movie | Actor | 1969 |
The Milky Way Movie | Actor | 1969 |
Dillinger Is Dead Movie | Actor | 1969 |
The Uninvited Movie | Actor | 1969 |
Danger: Diabolik Movie | Actor | 1968 |
Heartbeat Movie | Actor | 1968 |
Woman in Chains Movie | Actor | 1968 |
Actor | 1968 | |
Délire à deux Movie | Actor | 1968 |
Belle de Jour Movie | Actor | 1967 |
Actor | 1967 | |
Shock Troops Movie | Actor | 1967 |
My Love, My Love Movie | Actor | 1967 |
Actor | 1967 | |
Actor | 1967 | |
La Voleuse Movie | Actor | 1966 |
Is Paris Burning? Movie | Actor | 1966 |
The War Is Over Movie | Actor | 1966 |
The Creatures Movie | Actor | 1966 |
The Game Is Over Movie | Actor | 1966 |
Le Coup de grâce Movie | Actor | 1966 |
The Devil's Tricks Movie | Actor | 1966 |
Elsa la rose Short Film | Actor | 1966 |
Masquerade Movie | Actor | 1965 |
Actor | 1965 | |
Lady L Movie | Actor | 1965 |
Café Tabac Short Film | Actor | 1965 |
Actor | 1965 | |
Actor | 1964 | |
All About Loving Movie | Actor | 1964 |
Marie Soleil Movie | Actor | 1964 |
Chance at Love Movie | Actor | 1964 |
Actor | 1964 | |
Paparazzi Short Film | Actor | 1964 |
Le Parti des choses: Bardot et Godard Short Film | Actor | 1964 |
L'été en hiver Movie | Actor | 1964 |
Paparazzi Short Film | Writing | 1964 |
Contempt Movie | Actor | 1963 |
The Day and the Hour Movie | Actor | 1963 |
Salut les Cubains Short Film | Actor | 1963 |
Le Doulos Movie | Actor | 1962 |
Climates of Love Movie | Actor | 1962 |
Adieu Philippine Movie | Actor | 1962 |
Le temps des assassins Short Film | Actor | 1962 |
Parisienne... Parisiennes Short Film | Actor | 1962 |
Amazons of Rome Movie | Actor | 1961 |
Rendezvous Movie | Actor | 1961 |
La chevelure Short Film | Actor | 1961 |
Fumée, histoire et fantaisie Short Film | Actor | 1961 |
Quarante fontaines Short Film | Actor | 1961 |
Hauteclaire Movie | Actor | 1961 |
La dragée haute Movie | Actor | 1960 |
Actor | 1960 | |
Chicago Digest Short Film | Actor | 1960 |
Le Rendez-vous de Noël Short Film | Actor | 1960 |
Les joueurs Movie | Actor | 1960 |
Beast at Bay Movie | Actor | 1959 |
La nuit de Tom Brown Movie | Actor | 1959 |
Actor | 1959 | |
Sinners of Paris Movie | Actor | 1958 |
Tabarin Movie | Actor | 1958 |
The Witches of Salem Movie | Actor | 1957 |
Sunday Buddies Movie | Actor | 1957 |
Nathalie Movie | Actor | 1957 |
Actor | 1957 | |
Actor | 1957 | |
Death in the Garden Movie | Actor | 1956 |
La France romane Short Film | Actor | 1956 |
French Cancan Movie | Actor | 1955 |
Actor | 1955 | |
Price of Love Movie | Actor | 1955 |
Bad Liaisons Movie | Actor | 1955 |
The Grand Manoeuvre Movie | Actor | 1955 |
Croissance de Paris Short Film | Actor | 1955 |
Daughters of Destiny Movie | Actor | 1954 |
Actor | 1954 | |
Saint-Tropez, devoir de vacances Short Film | Actor | 1953 |
Torticola contre Frankensberg Short Film | Actor | 1952 |
Actor | 1951 | |
Deutscher Filmpreis TV Show | Actor | 1951 |
Terreur en Oklahoma Short Film | Actor | 1951 |
La Leçon d'humour dans un parc Short Film | Actor | 1951 |
The Mark Of The Day Movie | Actor | 1949 |
Actor | 1949 | |
The Bellman Movie | Actor | 1945 |