Frédéric Dard
Biography
Frédéric Dard was a French writer born on June 29, 1921, in Bourgoin-Jallieu, Isère, France. He is known for blending crime fiction and humor in his writing. Dard wrote over four hundred novels, including the San-Antonio book series, as well as dozens of plays and several screenplays. He is noted for his ability to use a farcical tone in his writing. Dard was the best-selling French-language author in the world during his lifetime. He used the pen name San-Antonio, which is also the title of his most famous book series. Dard passed away on June 6, 2000, at the age of 78.
Career overview
Frédéric Charles Antoine Dard was a French writer born on June 29, 1921, in Bourgoin-Jallieu, Isère, France, and he died on June 6, 2000, in Bonnefontaine, Fribourg, Switzerland, at the age of 78. Known under his own name and a variety of pseudonyms, including the pen name San-Antonio, he was recognized as an author of crime fiction and a humorist, and he was noted for his ability to blend the two genres. During his lifetime, Dard was the best-selling French-language author in the world, writing more than four hundred novels, which included the San-Antonio book series, along with dozens of plays and several screenplays.
While Dard also wrote serious fiction, his most successful books utilized a farcical tone. He used San-Antonio as his most famous pen name. His extensive body of work encompassed 45 known credits in writing according to archival records on the Movie Database, establishing a prolific legacy in French literature, drama, and screenwriting under both his given name and his numerous pseudonyms.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
53 titles- Night Creatures (2025) Writer
- Merry Christmas (2024) Original Story
- San Antonio (2004) Novel
- Mausolée pour une garce (2001) Novel
- Vivement dimanche (1998) as Self
- Maître Da Costa (1997) Creator
- Leon's Husband (1993) Writer
- Coma (1993) Novel
- The Old Lady Who Walked in the Sea (1991) Novel
- Sacrée soirée (1987) as Self
- Nulle part ailleurs (1987) as Self
- Le Caviar rouge (1986) Novel
- Champs-Elysées (1982) as Self
- Is There a Frenchman in the House? (1982) Writer
- Is There a Frenchman in the House? (1982) Novel
- San-Antonio ne pense qu'à ça (1981) Novel
- 30 millions d'amis (1976) as Self
- Apostrophes (1975) as Self
- Death Rite (1975) Novel
- Spécial cinéma (1974) as Self
- Le Grand Échiquier (1972) as Self
- Le Grand Échiquier (1972) as Self - Main guest
- Samedi soir (1971) as Self
- Beru and These Women (1968) Writer
- Seize millions de jeunes (1964) as Self
- The Accident (1963) Screenplay
- The Empire of Night (1962) Writer
- Paris Pick-Up (1962) Novel
- Crime Does Not Pay (1962) Scenario Writer
- Les Bras de la nuit (1961) Novel
- House of Sin (1961) Writer
- Desperate Flight (1961) Writer
- The Menace (1961) Screenplay
- Rendezvous (1960) Writer
- Rendezvous (1960) Director
- Premeditated (1960) Novel
- The Wretches (1960) Novel
- The Wretches (1960) Dialogue
- The Wretches (1960) Screenplay
- Double Agents (1959) Novel
- The Beast Is Loose (1959) Dialogue
- The Beast Is Loose (1959) Adaptation
- Blonde in a White Car (1959) Novel
- Pensione Edelweiss (1959) Writer
- Soft Skin on Black Silk (1959) Dialogue
- Back to the Wall (1958) Novel
- Back to the Wall (1958) Adaptation
- Back to the Wall (1958) Dialogue
- A Legitimate Defense (1958) Writer
- The Night of the Suspects (1957) Dialogue
- Daddy's Gang (1956) Writer
- The Wicked Go to Hell (1955) Theatre Play
- M'sieur la Caille (1955) Writer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Frédéric Dard best known for?
Frédéric Dard is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Barbapapa Around the World (1999), Vivement dimanche (1998), Sacrée soirée (1987), Nulle part ailleurs (1987).
When and where was Frédéric Dard born?
Frédéric Dard was born on June 29, 1921 in Bourgoin-Jallieu, Isère, France. They passed away on June 6, 2000.
How many credits does Frédéric Dard have?
Frédéric Dard has accumulated over 53 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1955 to 2025.
What is Frédéric Dard's background in cinema and television?
Frédéric Dard was a French writer born on June 29, 1921, in Bourgoin-Jallieu, Isère, France. He is known for blending crime fiction and humor in his writing. Dard wrote over four hundred novels, including the San-Antonio book series, as well as dozens of plays and several screenplays. He is noted for his ability to use...
Frédéric Dard by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Spécial cinéma (1974) as Self — aged about 53
- Apostrophes (1975) as Self — aged about 54
- Le Grand Échiquier (1972) as Self — aged about 51
- Le Grand Échiquier (1972) as Self - Main guest — aged about 51
- Champs-Elysées (1982) as Self — aged about 61
- 30 millions d'amis (1976) as Self — aged about 55
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