Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Jean-Louis Barrault

Role / Field:

Iconic French actor, director, and mime artist celebrated for his profound stage presence.

Born:

1910-09-08

Died:

1994-01-22

Century / Era:

1910s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Jean-Louis Bernard Barrault (French: [ʒɑ̃ lwi bɛʁnaʁ baʁo]; 8 September 1910 – 22 January 1994) was a French actor, director and mime artist who worked on both screen and stage. Barrault was born in Le Vésinet in France in 1910. His father was "a Burgundian pharmacist who died in the First World War.":87 He studied at the Collége Chaptal until 1930, when he began his studies at the École du Louvre.:87 From 1931 to 1935 Barrault studied and acted at Charles Dullin's L'Atelier.:32 His first performance was a small role in Ben Jonson's Volpone. At the time, Barrault was unable to afford rent and Dullin allowed him to sleep in the theatre on Volpone's bed.:16 It was at L'Atelier that he first met and studied under Étienne Decroux,:41 with whom he would create the pantomime La Vie Primitive in 1931.:87 He was a member of the Comédie-Française from 1942 to 1946, performing lead roles in Shakespeare's Hamlet and Corneille's Le Cid.:32 He and his wife, actress Madeleine Renaud, formed their own troupe, Compagnie Renaud-Barrault, in 1946 at Paris' Théâtre Marigny.:161 In 1951 he published his memoirs, Reflections on the Theatre.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He was made director of Théâtre de...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. J. Ayer — Contemporary (Born in 1910) (1910): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Ahmed Ali (writer) — Contemporary (Born in 1910) (1910): Pioneering Urdu writer, poet, and diplomat from British India to Pakistan.
• Akira Kurosawa — Contemporary (Born in 1910) (1910): Master of Japanese cinema, known for dynamic style and epic storytelling.
• Alexia Putellas — Contemporary (Born in 1994) (1994): One of the greatest female footballers, known for her midfield prowess and success with Barcelona and Spain.
• Aliya Mustafina — Contemporary (Born in 1994) (1994): Esteemed Russian artistic gymnast, celebrated for multiple world and Olympic titles.
• Aly Raisman — Contemporary (Born in 1994) (1994): American artistic gymnast and two-time Olympic gold medalist.
• Aage Bohr — Shared historical date (09-08 · Died) (2009): Pioneering Danish nuclear physicist, Nobel laureate for atomic structure theory.
• Aimee Mann — Shared historical date (09-08 · Born) (1960): Literary American singer-songwriter known for sardonic lyrics about the underdog.
• Alf Ramsey — Shared historical date (01-22 · Born) (1920): Legendary English footballer and manager, best known for the 1966 World Cup victory.
• Antonio Gramsci — Shared historical date (01-22 · Born) (1891): Italian Marxist philosopher known for his theory of cultural hegemony.
• 1910 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1910
• September 8 (09-08) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 8
• 1994 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1994
• January 22 (01-22) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 22

Frequently Asked Questions about Jean-Louis Barrault