Fernandel

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Fernandel

Fernand Joseph Désiré Contandin, better known as Fernandel, was born on May 8, 1903, in Marseille, France, and passed away on February 26, 1971, in Paris. Fernandel was a celebrated French comic actor, singer, and director, renowned for his distinctive comic facial expressions and wide, toothy grin. He initially pursued a career in banking before transitioning to entertainment, becoming a music-hall singer in Nice and a pantomime comedian in Parisian revues.

Fernandel's film career began with his appearance in "Le Blanc et le noir" (1930), marking the start of a prolific 40-year career in which he starred in over 100 films. He became particularly famous for his role as the irascible Italian village priest in the Don Camillo series. His collaborations with director Marcel Pagnol resulted in notable films such as "La Fille du puisatier" (1940) and "Le Petit Monde de Don Camillo" (1952).

In addition to his work in French cinema, Fernandel appeared in Italian and American films, including the Hollywood production "Around the World in 80 Days" (1956). He also directed and co-produced several films and gained popularity in Britain through 1960s TV advertisements for Dubonnet.

Fernandel was married to Henriette-Félicie Manse, and they had three children: Josette, Janine, and Franck, the latter of whom also pursued a career in acting and singing. Fernandel's legacy endures as one of France's most beloved comic actors, with a career that attracted over 200 million spectators to cinemas. He died of lung cancer and is buried in the Cimetière de Passy in Paris.