Bourvil

André Robert Raimbourg 27 July 1917 23 September 1970 better known as André Bourvil and mononymously as Bourvil was a French actor and singer best known for his roles in comedy films most notably in his collaboration with Louis de Funès in the films Le Corniaud 1965 and La Grande Vadrouille 1966 For his performance in Le Corniaud he won a Special Diploma at the 4th Moscow International Film Festival Bourvils father was killed in the First World War before he was born As a result he spent his entire childhood in the village of Bourville from which he took his stage name He married Jeanne Lefrique on 23 January 1943 After a battle with Kahlers syndrome which attacks the bone marrow he died at the age of 53 He is buried in Montainville Yvelines In his comic performances Bourvil principally played roles of gentle and wellmeaning characters who were often a bit obtuse or naïve such as his roles opposite the hyperactive dishonest and bossy ones played by Louis de Funès Bourvils characters not only managed to make viewers laugh but also to save themselves often unwittingly from the Machiavellian designs of his adversaries Bourvil was however also capable of more dramatic roles such as the handyman in LArbre de Noël 1969 In this role he observes the relationship between a man he works for and the young son who has fallen ill The audience can identify with the character played by Bourvil just as they can in his comic roles so often as a simple man One can also note his role of Monsieur Thénardier in the film adaptation of Les Misérables 1958 and his penultimate role as the policeman Mattei in JeanPierre Melvilles Le Cercle rouge 1970 In March 1948 Bourvil took part in the complete recording of Offenbachs The Tales of Hoffmann with artists of the Paris OpéraComique conducted by André Cluytens playing the four servant roles Description above from the Wikipedia article Bourvil licensed under CCBYSA full list of contributors on Wikipedia