Actor. A handsome leading man, he was capable of playing a wide range of roles including romantic, comedic, and villainous characters. His film career began in his native France during the late 1930s, and he would gradually advance to international pictures. Born Louis Gendre, his father was involved in the hotel industry. Louis traveled a great deal during his youth and was educated in such countries as England and Turkey. After deciding to focus on an acting career, he was mentored by Rene Simon at Ecole Dramatique in France. After the Nazis' invasion of France during World War II, Jourdan served with the French Underground. Following the war, he moved to Hollywood and landed his first prominent role in the Alfred Hitchcock picture "The Paradine Case" (1947). He had further success in the films "Letter from an Unknown Woman" (1948) and "Three Coins in the Fountain" (1954). In 1954, he marked his Broadway debut and starred in the production "The Immoralist" which included James Dean as a cast member. He starred in the French TV series "Paris Precinct" (1955) and returned to America where he appeared opposite Grace Kelly and Alec Guinness in "The Swan" (1956). This was followed by his part as the crazed husband opposite Doris Day in "Julie" (1956) and what will perhaps be his most accomplished part as 'Gaston Lachaille,' in the Vincente Minnelli film "Gigi" (1958). He received a Golden Globe nomination for the latter picture. He went on to the films "Can-Can" (1960), "Disorder" (1962), and "Young Rebel" (1967). Among his other credits include the killer food critic in the "Colombo" TV series episode "Murder Under Glass" (1978) and "Swamp Thing" (1982). He will be remembered by a later generation of movie audiences as 'James Bond's' foe 'Kamal' in "Octopussy" (1983). Jourdan was the recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
Actor. A handsome leading man, he was capable of playing a wide range of roles including romantic, comedic, and villainous characters. His film career began in his native France during the late 1930s, and he would gradually advance to international pictures. Born Louis Gendre, his father was involved in the hotel industry. Louis traveled a great deal during his youth and was educated in such countries as England and Turkey. After deciding to focus on an acting career, he was mentored by Rene Simon at Ecole Dramatique in France. After the Nazis' invasion of France during World War II, Jourdan served with the French Underground. Following the war, he moved to Hollywood and landed his first prominent role in the Alfred Hitchcock picture "The Paradine Case" (1947). He had further success in the films "Letter from an Unknown Woman" (1948) and "Three Coins in the Fountain" (1954). In 1954, he marked his Broadway debut and starred in the production "The Immoralist" which included James Dean as a cast member. He starred in the French TV series "Paris Precinct" (1955) and returned to America where he appeared opposite Grace Kelly and Alec Guinness in "The Swan" (1956). This was followed by his part as the crazed husband opposite Doris Day in "Julie" (1956) and what will perhaps be his most accomplished part as 'Gaston Lachaille,' in the Vincente Minnelli film "Gigi" (1958). He received a Golden Globe nomination for the latter picture. He went on to the films "Can-Can" (1960), "Disorder" (1962), and "Young Rebel" (1967). Among his other credits include the killer food critic in the "Colombo" TV series episode "Murder Under Glass" (1978) and "Swamp Thing" (1982). He will be remembered by a later generation of movie audiences as 'James Bond's' foe 'Kamal' in "Octopussy" (1983). Jourdan was the recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
Bio by: C.S.
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In French:
D'ou venons-nous?
Que sommes-nous?
Ou allons-nous?
(Title of a painting by Paul Gauguin)
Translation:
From where do we come?
What are we?
Where are we going?
(Provided by Madeleine Isenberg)
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