HOSSEIN, ROBERT

(1927- )

Actor, director, and screenwriter. Robert Hossein was born Robert Hosseinoff in Paris, the son of Iranian composer André Hossein. He studied drama at the René Simon School and later acted in the theater. He first appeared as a cinema actor inSacha Guitry'sLe Diable boiteuxin 1948. He also appeared in Jules Dassin'sDu rififi chez les hommes(1955). In the mid-1950s, Hossein acted, wrote, and directed his first film,Les Salauds vont en enfer(1956), a film noir starring his first wife, Marina Vlady. Hossein's next feature wasPardonnez nos offenses(1956). In addition to performing in his own films, Hossein maintained an energetic acting career.In the 1950s, he began working forRoger VadiminSait-on jamais?(1957), and Vadim would later cast him as a leading man inLe repos du guerrier(1962) oppositeBrigitte Bardot. He also appeared in Vadim'sLe Vice et la Vertu(1963), withAnnie GirardotandCatherine Deneuve, and inDon Juan(1973), again with Bardot. In the late 1950s, Hossein directedToi le venin(1958) andLa Nuit des espions(1959), featuring Vlady, andLes Scélérats(1959), where he costars withMichèle Morgan.

In the 1960s, Hossein directedLe goût de la violence(1961),Le jeu de la vérité(1961),La Mort d'un tueur(1964),Les yeux cernés(1964),Le Vampire de Dùsseldorf(1965), andJ'ai tué Raspoutine(1967). In 1962, Hossein costarred with Sophia Loren inChristian-Jacque'sMadame Sans Gêne(1962). Hossein was the lead actor, alongside actress Michèle Mercier, in Bernard Borderie'sAngélique marquise des anges(1964). He later paired with Mercier in Borderie's "Angélique" sequels:Angélique et le roy(1956),Indomptable Angélique(1967), andAngélique et le sultan(1967). Hossein cast Mercier in his French WesternUne corde,un colt. Also in 1967, he starred withDelphine SeyriginMarguerite Duras'sLa musica. He costarred withCharles Aznavourin Sergio Gobbi'sLe Temps des loups(1969).

After directingPoint de chute(1970), Hossein temporarily halted his career in the cinema to take over direction of the Théâtre Populaire de Reims. He acted in a few films in the 1970s, among them Jean Larriaga'sLa Part des lions(1971), where he costarred again with Aznavour, andHenri Verneuil'sLe Casse(1971). In 1981, he returned to cinema withLes Misérables, which was nominated for aCésarfor Best Adaptation. His last film as director, to date, isLe caviar rouge(1986). However, he has also acted inClaude Lelouch'sLes Uns et les Autres(1981), Vadim'sSurprise Party(1983), Yannick Bellon'sLes enfants du désordre(1989), Gobbi'sL'Affaire(1994), andTonie Marshall'sVénus beauté(institut) (1998). He replaced the lateJean Yannein Frédéric Auburtin'sSan Antonio(2003) after Yanne's death.