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Georges Méliès

Directing Born Dec 8, 1861 Died Jan 21, 1938 Paris, France 350 credits
350
Total Credits
1929–2025
97 Years Career Span
11
Vault Titles
10
Key Co-Stars

Biography

Marie-Georges-Jean Méliès was a French illusionist and filmmaker born on December 8, 1861, in Paris, France. He is famous for leading many technical and narrative developments in the earliest days of cinema, and he was one of the first filmmakers to use multiple exposures, time-lapse photography, tracking shots, dissolves, and hand-painted color in his work. Méliès pioneered effects that defined cinematic special effects for decades and accidentally discovered the substitution stop trick in 1896, which was a method for creating seamless disappearing and appearing effects. A prolific innovator with 360 known credits in directing, Méliès passed away on January 21, 1938, at the age of 76.

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Career

Career overview

Marie-Georges-Jean Méliès was born on December 8, 1861, in Paris, France. He was a French illusionist and filmmaker who became famous for leading many technical and narrative developments in the earliest days of cinema. Known for directing, Méliès amassed 360 known credits and was a prolific innovator in the use of special effects. He was among the first filmmakers to use multiple exposures, time-lapse photography, tracking shots, dissolves, and hand-painted color in his work, pioneering effects that defined cinematic special effects for decades.

In 1896, Méliès accidentally discovered the substitution stop trick, which was a method of creating seamless disappearing and appearing effects that were used throughout both films and television for decades to come. His contributions significantly shaped the early technical and narrative landscape of the medium.

Méliès passed away on January 21, 1938, at the age of 76. His legacy remains tied to his pioneering work in directing and early cinematic special effects, marking him as a foundational figure in film history.

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Known for

Film

Cinematógrafo 1900

as Self (archive footage)
▦

Carol Burnett and Friends

as The Magician
▦

Carol Burnett and Friends

1972

1 Million Motorcycles

2002

1 Million Motorcycles

2002
Film

A Trip to the Moon

as Professeur Barbenfouillis / La Lune
Film

A Trip to the Moon

1902
Film

A Trip to the Moon

1902
Film

A Trip to the Moon

1902
Film

A Trip to the Moon

1902
Film

A Trip to the Moon

1902

Frequent co-stars

Sissy Höfferer 6 shared titles
Sylvia De Fanti 3 shared titles
Jehanne d'Alcy 3 shared titles
Götz Schubert 2 shared titles
Hugh Latimer 2 shared titles
Robert Perceval 2 shared titles
Ivan Desny 2 shared titles
Alessandro Riceci 2 shared titles
Debargo Sanyal 2 shared titles
Christine Basson 1 shared title

Career timeline

Satans Sacrilegious Saga
Alcoléa & cie Documentary
The Méliès MysteryMéliès: Tales of TerrorMéliès: Tales of Terror · DirectorMéliès: Tales of Terror · Producer
El hombre que quiso ser Segundo
The Cinemagician, Georges Méliès
The Extraordinary Voyage
The Magic of Méliès
ORG · ThanksCinematógrafo 1900
Encyclopédie audiovisuelle du cinéma
Violons d'IngresViolons d'Ingres · Additional Photography
Gala MélièsGala Méliès · Director
The Voyage of M. Bourrichon · Director
The Conquest of the PoleThe Conquest of the Pole · DirectorThe Conquest of the Pole · ScreenplayThe Conquest of the Pole · ProducerThe Conquest of the Pole · Director of Photography
The Diabolical Church WindowThe Diabolical Church Window · DirectorThe Hallucinations of Baron Munchausen · Director
Whimsical IllusionsWhimsical Illusions · ProducerWhimsical Illusions · ScreenplayWhimsical Illusions · Production DesignWhimsical Illusions · Director
Justinian's Human Torches · DirectorFrench Cops Learning EnglishFrench Cops Learning English · DirectorSideshow Wrestlers · DirectorSideshow Wrestlers · Writer
Tunneling the English ChannelTunneling the English Channel · DirectorTunneling the English Channel · ProducerTunneling the English Channel · Production DesignSightseeing Through Whisky · Director
The Mysterious RetortThe Mysterious Retort · DirectorA Desperate CrimeA Desperate Crime · DirectorThe Merry Frolics of Satan
Rip's DreamRip's Dream · ProducerRip's Dream · Production DesignRip's Dream · ScreenplayRip's Dream · Director
The Impossible VoyageThe Impossible Voyage · DirectorThe Impossible Voyage · ProducerThe Impossible Voyage · ScreenplayThe Impossible Voyage · Production Design
The MelomaniacThe Melomaniac · DirectorThe Kingdom of the FairiesThe Kingdom of the Fairies · DirectorThe Kingdom of the Fairies · Screenplay
A Trip to the MoonA Trip to the Moon · DirectorA Trip to the Moon · ScreenplayA Trip to the Moon · ProducerA Trip to the Moon · Production Design

Full Filmography

350 titles
  • Satans Sacrilegious Saga (2025) as Devil
  • Alcoléa & cie Documentary (2024)
  • The Méliès Mystery (2021) as Self (archive footage)
  • Méliès: Tales of Terror (2021) as The Melomaniac
  • Méliès: Tales of Terror (2021) Director
  • Méliès: Tales of Terror (2021) Producer
  • El hombre que quiso ser Segundo (2014) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Cinemagician, Georges Méliès (2012) as Self (archive footage)
  • Advertisement
  • The Extraordinary Voyage (2011) as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
  • The Magic of Méliès (1997) as Self / Various Roles (archive footage)
  • ORG (1979) Thanks
  • Cinematógrafo 1900 (1979) as Self (archive footage)
  • Encyclopédie audiovisuelle du cinéma (1978) as Self (archive footage)
  • Violons d'Ingres (1939) as Himself (archive footage)
  • Violons d'Ingres (1939) Additional Photography
  • Gala Méliès (1929) as Himself
  • Gala Méliès (1929) Director
  • The Voyage of M. Bourrichon (1913) Director
  • The Conquest of the Pole (1912) as Le professeur Mabouloff
  • The Conquest of the Pole (1912) Director
  • The Conquest of the Pole (1912) Screenplay
  • The Conquest of the Pole (1912) Producer
  • The Conquest of the Pole (1912) Director of Photography
  • Cinderella or The Glass Slipper (1912) Director
  • The Knight of the Snow (1912) as Devil
  • The Knight of the Snow (1912) Director
  • The Diabolical Church Window (1911)
  • The Diabolical Church Window (1911) Director
  • The Hallucinations of Baron Munchausen (1911) Director
  • Whimsical Illusions (1909) as The Magician
  • Whimsical Illusions (1909) Producer
  • Whimsical Illusions (1909) Screenplay
  • Whimsical Illusions (1909) Production Design
  • Whimsical Illusions (1909) Director
  • The Spider and the Butterfly (1909) Director
  • The Diabolic Tenant (1909) as Le locataire diabolique
  • The Diabolic Tenant (1909) Producer
  • The Diabolic Tenant (1909) Screenplay
  • The Diabolic Tenant (1909) Production Design
  • The Diabolic Tenant (1909) Director
  • The Doctor's Secret (1909)
  • The Doctor's Secret (1909) Director
  • Justinian's Human Torches (1908) Director
  • French Cops Learning English (1908) as The Police Inspector
  • French Cops Learning English (1908) Director
  • Sideshow Wrestlers (1908) Director
  • Sideshow Wrestlers (1908) Writer
  • Sideshow Wrestlers (1908) Director of Photography
  • The Miser (1908) Director
  • The Old Footlight Favorite (1908) Director
  • Excursion to the Moon (1908) Original Film Writer
  • Les infortunes des patineurs (1908) as Passerby
  • Les infortunes des patineurs (1908) Director
  • Why That Actor Was Late (1908) Director
  • Two Talented Vagabonds (1908) Director
  • In the Barber Shop (1908)
  • In the Barber Shop (1908) Director
  • Not Guilty (1908) as The Old Farmer
  • Not Guilty (1908) Director
  • Tribulations; or, The Misfortunes of a Cobbler (1908) as The Roman
  • Tribulations; or, The Misfortunes of a Cobbler (1908) Director
  • A Love Tragedy in Spain (1908) Director
  • The Prophetess of Thebes (1908) Director
  • The Indian Sorcerer (1908) as The Fakir
  • The Indian Sorcerer (1908) Director
  • His First Job (1908) Director
  • Oriental Black Art (1908) Director
  • The Genii of Fire (1908) Director
  • Long Distance Wireless Photography (1908)
  • Long Distance Wireless Photography (1908) Director
  • Pharmaceutical Hallucinations (1908) Director
  • Honeymoon in a Balloon (1908) Director
  • A Lover's Hazing (1908) Director
  • Hunting the Teddy Bear (1908) Director
  • The Fairy Dragonfly (1908) Director
  • The Little Peace Maker (1908) Director
  • The Dream of an Opium Fiend (1908) Director
  • A Mistaken Identity (1908) Director
  • Buncoed Stage Johnnie (1908) Director
  • The Helping Hand (1908) Director
  • The Living Doll (1908) Director
  • The Hotel Mix-Up (1908) Director
  • Grandmother's Tale and Child's Dream (1908) Director
  • Fun With the Bridal Party (1908) Director
  • Hypnotist's Revenge (1908) Director
  • A Fake Diamond Swindler (1908) Director
  • Up-to-Date Clothes Cleaning (1908) Director
  • The Broken Violin (1908) Director
  • Mishaps of the New York-Paris Auto Race (1908) Director
  • Two Crazy Bugs (1908) Director
  • The Forester's Remedy (1908) Director
  • The Fortune Favors the Brave (1908) as Gnome
  • The Fortune Favors the Brave (1908) Director
  • The Duke's Good Joke (1908) Director
  • Pranks With a Fake Python (1908) Director
  • The Magic of Catchy Songs (1908) Director
  • Humanity Through the Ages (1908) Director
  • The Wonderful Charm (1908) Director
  • The Mystery of the Garrison (1908) Director
  • A Night With Masqueraders in Paris (1908) Director
  • Incident from Don Quixote (1908) Director
  • The New Lord of the Village (1908) as Le fantôme de César
  • The New Lord of the Village (1908) Director
  • Curiosity Punished (1908) Director
  • L'agent gelé (1908) Director
  • Moitié de polka (1908) Director
  • The Good Shepherdess and the Evil Princess (1908) Director
  • Les malheurs d'un photographe (1908) Director
  • A Tricky Painter’s Fate (1908) Director
  • Tunneling the English Channel (1907)
  • Tunneling the English Channel (1907) Director
  • Tunneling the English Channel (1907) Producer
  • Tunneling the English Channel (1907) Production Design
  • Sightseeing Through Whisky (1907) Director
  • 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1907)
  • 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1907) Director
  • The Eclipse: Courtship of the Sun and Moon (1907) as Professor of Astronomy
  • The Eclipse: Courtship of the Sun and Moon (1907) Director
  • Delirium in a Studio (1907) as Ali Barbouyou
  • Delirium in a Studio (1907) Director
  • Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (1907) Director
  • How Bridget's Lover Escaped (1907) Director
  • A Forester Made King (1907) Director
  • The Skipping Cheese (1907) Director
  • Shakespeare Writing "Julius Caesar" (1907) Director
  • In the Bogie Man's Cave (1907) Director
  • Chopin's Funeral March Burlesqued (1907) Director
  • Satan in Prison (1907) as Satan
  • Satan in Prison (1907) Director
  • The Good Luck of a 'Souse' (1907) as Le commissaire de police
  • The Good Luck of a 'Souse' (1907) Director
  • Bakers in Trouble (1907) Director
  • The King and the Jester (1907) as Tribolet
  • The King and the Jester (1907) Director
  • A Mischievous Sketch (1907) Director
  • The Bewildering Cabinet (1907) Director
  • Good Glue Sticks (1907)
  • Good Glue Sticks (1907) Director
  • The Knight of Black Art (1907) Director
  • Drink! A Great Temperance Story (1907) Director
  • A New Death Penalty (1907) Director
  • Rogues' Tricks (1907) Director
  • The Mysterious Retort (1906)
  • The Mysterious Retort (1906) Director
  • A Desperate Crime (1906)
  • A Desperate Crime (1906) Director
  • The Merry Frolics of Satan (1906) as Satan
  • The Merry Frolics of Satan (1906) Screenplay
  • The Merry Frolics of Satan (1906) Director
  • The Merry Frolics of Satan (1906) Producer
  • The Merry Frolics of Satan (1906) Production Design
  • A Mix-Up in the Gallery (1906) Director
  • A Roadside Inn (1906) as Drunk Traveler
  • A Roadside Inn (1906) Director
  • The Hilarious Posters (1906) as The Bill Poster
  • The Hilarious Posters (1906) Director
  • The Hilarious Posters (1906) Producer
  • The Witch (1906) as The Fairy Carabosse
  • The Witch (1906) Production Design
  • The Witch (1906) Director
  • The Witch (1906) Writer
  • The Witch (1906) Producer
  • Jack the Chimney Sweep (1906) Director
  • A Seaside Flirtation (1906) Director
  • The Tramp and the Mattress Makers (1906) Director
  • Soap Bubbles (1906) Director
  • Old and New Style Conjurers (1906) Director
  • Punch and Judy (1906) Director
  • The Luny Musician (1906) Director
  • Who Looks, Pays! (1906) Director
  • Robert Macaire and Bertrand (1906) Director
  • A Spiritualist Meeting (1906) Director
  • Rip's Dream (1905) as Rip Van Winkle
  • Rip's Dream (1905) Producer
  • Rip's Dream (1905) Production Design
  • Rip's Dream (1905) Screenplay
  • Rip's Dream (1905) Director
  • The Enchanted Sedan Chair (1905) Director
  • The Scheming Gambler's Paradise (1905) Director
  • The Living Playing Cards (1905) as The Magician
  • The Living Playing Cards (1905) Director
  • Ulysses and the Giant Polyphemus (1905) as Ulysses (uncredited)
  • Ulysses and the Giant Polyphemus (1905) Director
  • The Inventor Crazybrains and His Wonderful Airship (1905)
  • The Inventor Crazybrains and His Wonderful Airship (1905) Producer
  • The Inventor Crazybrains and His Wonderful Airship (1905) Screenplay
  • The Inventor Crazybrains and His Wonderful Airship (1905) Production Design
  • The Inventor Crazybrains and His Wonderful Airship (1905) Director
  • The Black Imp (1905)
  • The Black Imp (1905) Director
  • The Black Imp (1905) Producer
  • An Adventurous Automobile Trip (1905) Director
  • The Palace of the Arabian Nights (1905) as The Sorcerer Khalafar (uncredited)
  • The Palace of the Arabian Nights (1905) Director
  • The Palace of the Arabian Nights (1905) Producer
  • The Palace of the Arabian Nights (1905) Editor
  • The Palace of the Arabian Nights (1905) Production Design
  • The Lilliputian Minuet (1905)
  • The Lilliputian Minuet (1905) Director
  • The Venetian Looking-Glass (1905) Director
  • Life-Saving Up-to-Date (1905) Director
  • The Angler's Nightmare, or A Policeman's Troubles (1905) Director
  • An Improvised Fireworks Display (1905) Director
  • A Mesmerian Experiment (1905)
  • A Mesmerian Experiment (1905) Director
  • The Magic Dice (1905) Director
  • The Chloroform Fiends (1905) Director
  • The King of Sharpshooters (1905) Director
  • Mr. Dauber and the Whimsical Picture (1905) Director
  • The Tower of London (1905) Director
  • A Crazy Composer (1905) Director
  • The Impossible Voyage (1904) as Мабулофф
  • The Impossible Voyage (1904) Director
  • The Impossible Voyage (1904) Producer
  • The Impossible Voyage (1904) Screenplay
  • The Impossible Voyage (1904) Production Design
  • Faust and Marguerite (1904) as Méphistophélès
  • Faust and Marguerite (1904) Director
  • The Mermaid (1904)
  • The Mermaid (1904) Director
  • The Devilish Plank (1904)
  • The Devilish Plank (1904) Director
  • The Wandering Jew (1904)
  • The Wandering Jew (1904) Director
  • The Wandering Jew (1904) Producer
  • The Fugitive Apparitions (1904)
  • The Fugitive Apparitions (1904) Director
  • The Invisible Siva (1904) Director
  • The Christmas Angel (1904) as The Rag-and-Bone Man / Beggar on Crutches / Coal Seller
  • The Christmas Angel (1904) Director
  • The Christmas Angel (1904) Producer
  • Simple Simon's Surprise Party (1904) Director
  • Tchin-Chao, the Chinese Conjurer (1904)
  • Tchin-Chao, the Chinese Conjurer (1904) Director
  • The Cook in Trouble (1904)
  • The Cook in Trouble (1904) Director
  • The Imperceptible Transmutations (1904) as Prince
  • The Imperceptible Transmutations (1904) Director
  • The Imperceptible Transmutations (1904) Director of Photography
  • The Imperceptible Transmutations (1904) Writer
  • The Fake Russian Prophet (1904) Director
  • The Bewitched Trunk (1904) Director
  • The Wonderful Rose Tree (1904) Director
  • Uncle Rube's Birthday (1904) Director
  • Benvenuto Cellini or A Curious Evasion (1904) Director
  • The Untamable Whiskers (1904) as Man with whiskers
  • The Untamable Whiskers (1904) Director
  • The Animated Costumes (1904) Director
  • A Miracle Under the Inquisition (1904) Director
  • A Wedding by Correspondence (1904) Director
  • The Wonderful Living Fan (1904)
  • The Wonderful Living Fan (1904) Director
  • The Astonishing Frame (1904) Director
  • The Mischances of a Drunkard (1904) Director
  • The Clockmaker's Dream (1904)
  • The Clockmaker's Dream (1904) Director
  • The Impossible Dinner (1904) Director
  • A Wager Between Two Magicians, or, Jealous of Myself (1904) as The Magician / The Double
  • A Wager Between Two Magicians, or, Jealous of Myself (1904) Director
  • Tit for Tat (1904)
  • Tit for Tat (1904) Director
  • The Shadow Lady (1904) Director
  • The Providence of the Waves (1904) Director
  • The Barber of Seville (1904) Director
  • Every Man His Own Cigar Lighter (1904)
  • Every Man His Own Cigar Lighter (1904) Director
  • The Grotto of Surprises (1904) Director
  • The Firefall (1904) as Satan
  • The Firefall (1904) Director
  • The Melomaniac (1903)
  • The Melomaniac (1903) Director
  • The Kingdom of the Fairies (1903) as Принц Бель-Азор
  • The Kingdom of the Fairies (1903) Director
  • The Kingdom of the Fairies (1903) Screenplay
  • The Kingdom of the Fairies (1903) Producer
  • The Kingdom of the Fairies (1903) Production Design
  • The Ballet Master's Dream (1903)
  • The Ballet Master's Dream (1903) Director
  • The Infernal Cauldron (1903) as Devil
  • The Infernal Cauldron (1903) Production Design
  • The Infernal Cauldron (1903) Screenplay
  • The Infernal Cauldron (1903) Director
  • The Infernal Cauldron (1903) Producer
  • Apparitions (1903)
  • Apparitions (1903) Director
  • Extraordinary Illusions (1903)
  • Extraordinary Illusions (1903) Director
  • Alcofribas, The Master Magician (1903)
  • Alcofribas, The Master Magician (1903) Director
  • Alcofribas, The Master Magician (1903) Screenplay
  • The Monster (1903) as The priest
  • The Monster (1903) Director
  • The Oracle of Delphi (1903)
  • The Oracle of Delphi (1903) Director
  • The Marvellous Wreath (1903)
  • The Marvellous Wreath (1903) Director
  • The Magic Lantern (1903)
  • The Magic Lantern (1903) Director
  • The Enchanted Basket (1903)
  • The Enchanted Basket (1903) Director
  • The Mystical Flame (1903)
  • The Mystical Flame (1903) Director
  • The Inn Where No Man Rests (1903) Director
  • The Witch's Revenge (1903) Director
  • Bob Kick, the Mischievous Kid (1903)
  • Bob Kick, the Mischievous Kid (1903) Director
  • The Infernal Cake-Walk (1903) as Devil
  • The Infernal Cake-Walk (1903) Director
  • The Mysterious Box (1903)
  • The Mysterious Box (1903) Director
  • The Enchanted Well (1903) Director
  • Comical Conjuring (1903) Director
  • Les Mousquetaires de la reine (1903) Director
  • Faust in the Underworld (1903) as Mephistopholes
  • Faust in the Underworld (1903) Director
  • The Terrible Turkish Executioner (1903) as The Executioner
  • The Terrible Turkish Executioner (1903) Director
  • Jupiter's Thunderballs (1903)
  • Jupiter's Thunderballs (1903) Director
  • A Spiritualist Photographer (1903) Director
  • Beelzebub's Daughters (1903)
  • Beelzebub's Daughters (1903) Director
  • Jack Jags and Dum Dum (1903) Director
  • A Moonlight Serenade (1903)
  • A Moonlight Serenade (1903) Director
  • Ten Ladies in an Umbrella (1903) Director
  • The Drawing Lesson (1903) Director
  • Misfortune Never Comes Alone (1903) as Lamplighter
  • Misfortune Never Comes Alone (1903) Director
  • A Trip to the Moon (1902) as Professeur Barbenfouillis / La Lune
  • A Trip to the Moon (1902) Director
  • A Trip to the Moon (1902) Screenplay
  • A Trip to the Moon (1902) Producer
  • A Trip to the Moon (1902) Production Design
  • A Trip to the Moon (1902) Editor
  • Robinson Crusoe (1902) as Robinson Crusoé
  • Robinson Crusoe (1902) Producer
  • Robinson Crusoe (1902) Production Design
  • Robinson Crusoe (1902) Screenplay
  • Robinson Crusoe (1902) Director
  • The Terrible Eruption of Mount Pelee and Destruction of St. Pierre, Martinique (1902) Director
  • The Human Fly (1902) as The Hindoo Magician
  • The Human Fly (1902) Director
  • The Human Fly (1902) Producer
  • The Magician and the Imp (1902) Director
  • Sure Cure for Indigestion (1902) as Doctor
  • Sure Cure for Indigestion (1902) Director
  • Wine Cellar Burglars (1902) Director
  • Gulliver's Travels Among the Lilliputians and the Giants (1902) as Gulliver
  • Gulliver's Travels Among the Lilliputians and the Giants (1902) Director

Frequently Asked Questions

What movies or TV shows is Georges Méliès best known for?

Georges Méliès is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Cinematógrafo 1900 (1979), Carol Burnett and Friends (1972), Carol Burnett and Friends (1972), 1 Million Motorcycles (2002).

When and where was Georges Méliès born?

Georges Méliès was born on December 8, 1861 in Paris, France. They passed away on January 21, 1938.

How many credits does Georges Méliès have?

Georges Méliès has accumulated over 350 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1929 to 2025.

What is Georges Méliès's background in cinema and television?

Marie-Georges-Jean Méliès was a French illusionist and filmmaker born on December 8, 1861, in Paris, France. He is famous for leading many technical and narrative developments in the earliest days of cinema, and he was one of the first filmmakers to use multiple exposures, time-lapse photography, tracking shots, dissol...

Georges Méliès by the numbers

350credits
349films
1TV series
1902–2025active years

Age in their best-rated roles

Full filmography (350) Born on December 8 In memoriam 1938

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