FUNÈS, LOUIS DE

(1914-1983)

Actor. Louis de Funès was one of France's best-known comic actors, alongsideBourvilandColuche. His parents were Spanish immigrants, and Funès also became a celebrity in Spain. He played the piano in clubs and acted in the theater before first appearing in cinema in Jean Stelli'sTentation de Barbizon(1945). He played minor roles in films such asHenri Verneuil'sLe Mouton à cinq pattes(1954),Jean-Paul Le Chanois'sPapa,maman,la bonne,et moi(1954) andPapa,Maman,ma femme et moi(1955), andClaude Autant-Lara'sLa Traversée de Paris(1956), where he became known for his comic acting ability. Funès later found leading roles in Yves Robert'sNi vu ni connu(1958) andJean Girault'sPouic-pouic(1963). His performance in Girault's mainstream commercial comedyLe Gendarme de Saint-Tropez(1964) and in André Hunnebell's 1964 remake ofLouis Feuillade'sFantômaswon Funès acclaim.

Funès worked with Girault again in his popularGendarmeseries:Le Gendarme à New York(1965),Le Gendarme se marie(1968),Le Gendarme en balade(1970),Le Gendarme et les extraterrestres(1978), andLe Gendarme et les gendarmettes(1982). Known as "Fufu," Funès starred in some of the most popular French films of the 1960s and 1970s. These films owe much of their success to his popularity. In addition to his work with Girault, Funès worked frequently withGérard Oury. He played leading roles inLe Corniaud(1965),La Grande vadrouille(1966), andLes aventures de Rabbi Jacob(1973). He appeared alongside the comic actorBourvilin several of his films. Jerry Lewis presented Funès with an honoraryCésarin 1980.