Jean-Pierre Darras
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- November 26, 1927 in Paris, France
- Died
- July 5, 1999
- Active Years
- 1959–2009 (51 Years)
- Total Credits
- 79 credits in database
Biography
Jean-Pierre Darras was a French actor, comedian, theater director, and filmmaker born Jean-Pierre Dumontet on November 26, 1927, in Paris. After studying literature, he pursued a career in theater, training in post-war dramatic centers and joining Jean Vilar’s TNP to study the classical repertoire. He gained public recognition through a satirical duo with Philippe Noiret. Throughout his career, Darras demonstrated versatility across theater, film, television, and voice work, ranging from popular comedies and boulevard theater to dramatic roles. A passionate scholar of Molière, he dedicated significant time to directing and writing about the playwright. Darras died on July 5, 1999, in Créteil. He was married to Corinne Lahaye and Catherine Bauche and is credited with 74 known acting roles.
Career overview
Jean-Pierre Darras was a French actor, comedian, theater director, and filmmaker born on November 26, 1927, in Paris. Originally named Jean-Pierre Dumontet, he pursued an early interest in theatre following his studies in literature. His professional training took place in post-war dramatic centers, leading him to join Jean Vilar’s TNP. During this period, he developed a discipline for the classical repertoire and collaborated with prominent figures of the French stage.
Darras gained broader public recognition through a satirical duo with Philippe Noiret, where he was noted for his sharp wit and talent for caricature. Throughout his career, he demonstrated versatility across film, television, and theatre, participating in popular comedies, boulevard theatre, and ambitious directing projects. From the 1980s onward, he took on more dramatic roles. A dedicated enthusiast of Molière, Darras devoted significant time to producing and writing about the playwright, aiming to explore the man behind the historical legend. His filmography includes credits such as Le braconnier de Dieu, Les fourberies de Scapin, and The bourgeois gentleman. Darras, who was married to Corinne Lahaye and Catherine Bauche, died on July 5, 1999, in Créteil. A film historian once described him as a fine and versatile European stage actor who remained largely unknown to American audiences.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
79 titles- Comiques de toujours (Vol. 1 à 4) (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- Georges Dandin de Molière (1997) as Monsieur de Sottenville
- Le Groom (1995)
- My Father's Glory (1990) as Marcel Pagnol, elderly, narrator (voice)
- My Mother's Castle (1990) as Narrator, Marcel Pagnol (voice)
- La Calanque (1987) as Francis Cambalette
- Diary of a Madman (1987) as The director
- L'Amour à la lettre (1986) as Quentin Granier
- Asterix vs. Caesar (1985) as (voice)
- Le Voleur de feuilles (1984) as Mr. Marguerite
- Le Braconnier de Dieu (1983) as Frisou
- Le Braconnier de Dieu (1983) Director
- Champs-Elysées (1982) as Self
- Te marre pas... c'est pour rire ! (1982) as Flavacourt
- Le Bourgeois gentilhomme (1982) as Le maître de philosophie
- For a Cop's Hide (1981) as Commissaire Chauffard
- Signé Furax (1981) as Socrate
- The Impostures of Scapin (1981) as Argante
- Le Chêne d'Allouville (1981) as Minister of Culture
- La Puce et le privé (1981) as Colonel Jean-Hilaire Marcellin
- Three Men to Kill (1980) as Chocard
- L'Hôtel du libre échange (1979) as Mathieu
- Madame le Juge (1978) as le commissaire
- Out of It (1978) as Jacques Panivaux, Owner of the Rolls-Royce
- Parisian Life (1977) as Le baron de Gondremark
- Genre masculin (1977) as Adolphe
- Let's Make a Dirty Movie (1976) as Co-Producer
- La Décharge (1976) as M. Brunet
- Don't Bite, We Love You (1976) as 'Papy'
- Le Chasseur de chez Maxim's (1976) as Le ministre
- Love and Cool Water (1976) as Clément
- Forget Me, Mandoline (1976) as Gérard Gouttières, aka 'G.G.'
- Les Rendez-vous du dimanche (1975) as Self
- Apostrophes (1975) as Self
- Numéro un (1975) as Self
- Numéro un (1975) as Self - Host
- Beyond Fear (1975) as Bourrier
- Tell Me You Love Me (1974) as Lucien Dorgeval
- Molière pour rire et pour pleurer (1973) as Molière
- A Pain in the Ass (1973) as Dr. Edgar Fuchs
- Folie douce (1973) as Jérôme
- The Suburbs Are Everywhere (1973) as Ducros
- At the Meeting with Joyous Death (1973) as Peron
- Le Grand Échiquier (1972) as Self
- Midi trente (1972) as Self
- the famous escapes (1972) as Saint-Marc
- The Annuity (1972) as Emile Galipeau
- The Old Maid (1972) as Sacha
- La Main passe (1972) as Étienne Massenay
- Samedi soir (1971) as Self
- Graf Luckner (1971) as Wallace
- The Wedding Ring (1971) as M. Duvernet
- Fric-Frac (1971) as Marcel
- She Does Not Drink, Smoke or Flirt But... She Talks (1970) as Georges, 'Monsieur le Comte'
- Et qu'ça saute ! (1970) as Jorge Blanco
- Elise, or Real Life (1970) as Le commissaire
- A Golden Widow (1969) as Rapha
- The Fighting Cock (1969) as Paoli
- L'Amour des 4 colonels (1969) as L'homme
- The Tattoo (1968) as Lucien, facteur de Montignac
- Les Aventures de Lagardère (1968) as Peyrolles
- Would-Be Gentleman (1968) as Le maître de ballet
- Azaïs (1968) as Félix, professeur de piano
- Lagardère (1967) as Peyrolles
- Ami-Ami (1967) as Alexandre
- At Theatre Tonight (1966) as Félix, professeur de piano
- At Theatre Tonight (1966) as Alexandre
- Four Queens for an Ace (1966) as Detective in Interrogation Room
- Diamond Safari (1966) as Pascal Moratti
- A Young World (1966) as Le professeur d'art dramatique
- The Other Truth (1966) as The commissioner
- Monsieur (1964) as José, Small-time Crook
- Lucky Jo (1964) as Napo
- A Man Named Rocca (1961) as Névada
- Les Trois Sœurs (1960) as Koulyguine
- Discorama (1959) as Self - Host
- Discorama (1959) as Self - Co-Host
- Discorama (1959) as Self
- Two Men in Manhattan (1959)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Jean-Pierre Darras best known for?
Jean-Pierre Darras is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including My Father's Glory (1990), My Mother's Castle (1990), Asterix vs. Caesar (1985), Champs-Elysées (1982).
When and where was Jean-Pierre Darras born?
Jean-Pierre Darras was born on November 26, 1927 in Paris, France. They passed away on July 5, 1999.
How many credits does Jean-Pierre Darras have?
Jean-Pierre Darras has accumulated over 79 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1959 to 2009.
What is Jean-Pierre Darras's background in cinema and television?
Jean-Pierre Darras was a French actor, comedian, theater director, and filmmaker born Jean-Pierre Dumontet on November 26, 1927, in Paris. After studying literature, he pursued a career in theater, training in post-war dramatic centers and joining Jean Vilar’s TNP to study the classical repertoire. He gained public rec...
Jean-Pierre Darras by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Apostrophes (1975) as Self — aged about 47
- Le Grand Échiquier (1972) as Self — aged about 44
- Numéro un (1975) as Self — aged about 47
- Numéro un (1975) as Self - Host — aged about 47
- My Father's Glory (1990) as Marcel Pagnol, elderly, narrator (voice) — aged about 62
- Folie douce (1973) as Jérôme — aged about 45
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