Louis Malle
Biography
Louis Malle was a French film director, screenwriter, and producer. He was born on October 30, 1932, in Thumeries, Nord, France. Malle worked in both French cinema and Hollywood, producing films in both French and English languages. He is known for directing several notable films, including "Elevator to the Gallows" in 1958. Malle's film "The Silent World" won the Palme d'Or in 1956 and the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 1957, although he was not credited at the ceremony. He was nominated multiple times for Academy Awards and won the Golden Lion multiple times. Malle died on November 23, 1995, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 63.
Career overview
Louis Malle was a French film director, screenwriter, and producer. He worked in both French cinema and Hollywood, producing films in both French and English languages. Malle's career spanned multiple genres, including crime films.
One of his notable early works is the film "The Silent World," which won the Palme d'Or in 1956 and the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 1957. Malle was not credited at the ceremony for the award, which was presented to the film's co-director Jacques Cousteau instead.
Malle went on to direct and produce numerous films throughout his career, including the crime film "Elevator to the Gallows" in 1958. He is also one of the few directors to have won the Golden Lion multiple times. Malle's work was recognized with multiple Academy Award nominations, and he is known for his versatility in working across different languages and film industries.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
112 titles- Louis Malle, le révolté (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- La Vie en Gris: The Anglophone Louis Malle in Seven Pictures (2022)
- Becoming Cousteau (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- L'affaire Matzneff (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool (2019) as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
- Jeanne Moreau: Free Spirit (2018) as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
- Jerry Lewis: The Man Behind the Clown (2016) as Self (archive footage)
- Louis Malle, le rebelle (2015) as Self (archive footage)
- A Master Builder (2014) In Memory Of
- The Bardot mystery (2012)
- Ekeb of Dekye (2010) Original Story
- On the Trail of the New Wave (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- 365 Day Project (2007) as Self
- The Passions of Louis Malle (2003)
- Who Is Henry Jaglom? (1997) as Self
- The Ogre (1996) In Memory Of
- Vanya on 42nd Street (1994) Director
- Jean Renoir: Part One - From La Belle Époque to World War II (1993) as Self
- Damage (1992) Producer
- Damage (1992) Director
- La Vie de Bohème (1992) as Gentleman
- May Fools (1990) Producer
- May Fools (1990) Screenplay
- May Fools (1990) Director
- Au Revoir les Enfants (1987) Screenplay
- Au Revoir les Enfants (1987) Director
- Au Revoir les Enfants (1987) Producer
- … And the Pursuit of Happiness (1986) as Narrator (voice)
- … And the Pursuit of Happiness (1986) Director
- … And the Pursuit of Happiness (1986) Producer
- … And the Pursuit of Happiness (1986) Director of Photography
- God's Country (1985) as Narrator (voice)
- God's Country (1985) Director
- God's Country (1985) Director of Photography
- Alamo Bay (1985) Director
- Alamo Bay (1985) Producer
- Jacques Cousteau: The First 75 Years (1985) as Self
- My Dinner with Louis (1984) as Interviewee
- The Road to Bresson (1984) as Self
- Crackers (1984) Director
- Hollywood’s Children (1982) as Self
- Before the Nickelodeon: The Cinema of Edwin S. Porter (1982) as Reader - Melies Catalogue (voice)
- My Dinner with Andre (1981) Director
- Atlantic City (1980) Director
- Ciné regards (1978) as Self
- Pretty Baby (1978) Story
- Pretty Baby (1978) Director
- Pretty Baby (1978) Producer
- Close up: Dominique Sanda ou le rêve éveillé (1977) Director
- Les Rendez-vous du dimanche (1975) as Self
- Black Moon (1975) Writer
- Black Moon (1975) Director
- The Lion Roars Again (1975) as Self (uncredited)
- Spécial cinéma (1974) as Self
- A Human Condition (1974) Director
- Lacombe, Lucien (1974) Director
- Lacombe, Lucien (1974) Writer
- Lacombe, Lucien (1974) Producer
- Place de la République (1974) as Self
- Place de la République (1974) Director
- Français, si vous saviez (1973) Delegated Producer
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- Samedi soir (1971) as Self
- Murmur of the Heart (1971) Director
- Murmur of the Heart (1971) Writer
- Calcutta (1969) as Narrator (voice)
- Calcutta (1969) Director
- Calcutta (1969) Writer
- Phantom India (1969) as Self - Narrator
- Phantom India (1969) Writer
- Phantom India (1969) Director
- A Very Curious Girl (1969) as Jésus
- Spirits of the Dead (1968) Director
- Spirits of the Dead (1968) Screenplay
- Spirits of the Dead (1968) Adaptation
- The Thief of Paris (1967) as Extra (uncredited)
- The Thief of Paris (1967) Director
- The Thief of Paris (1967) Screenplay
- The Birth of Children of Paradise (1967) as Self
- Young Törless (1966) Producer
- Un metteur en ordre: Robert Bresson (1966) as Self
- Viva Maria! (1965) Director
- Viva Maria! (1965) Screenplay
- The Thief of Tibadabo (1965) Producer
- Pour le plaisir (1964) as Self
- Best Regards from Bangkok (1964) Director
- The Fire Within (1963) Screenplay
- The Fire Within (1963) Director
- A Very Private Affair (1962) as Le journaliste (uncredited)
- A Very Private Affair (1962) Director
- A Very Private Affair (1962) Writer
- Vive Le Tour (1962) Writer
- Vive Le Tour (1962) Director
- Vive Le Tour (1962) Director of Photography
- Zazie dans le Métro (1960) Screenplay
- Zazie dans le Métro (1960) Director
- Zazie dans le Métro (1960) Producer
- Discorama (1959) as Self
- Elevator to the Gallows (1958) Screenplay
- Elevator to the Gallows (1958) Director
- The Lovers (1958) Director
- Cinépanorama (1956) as Self
- The Silent World (1956) Cinematography
- The Silent World (1956) Director
- The Silent World (1956) Director of Photography
- Station 307 (1955) Writer
- Station 307 (1955) Director
- Station 307 (1955) Director of Photography
- La Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (1955) Director
- Crazeologie (1954)
- Crazeologie (1954) Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Louis Malle best known for?
Louis Malle is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Damage (1992), Damage (1992), Au Revoir les Enfants (1987), Au Revoir les Enfants (1987).
When and where was Louis Malle born?
Louis Malle was born on October 30, 1932 in Thumeries, Nord, France. They passed away on November 23, 1995.
How many credits does Louis Malle have?
Louis Malle has accumulated over 112 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1954 to 2025.
What is Louis Malle's background in cinema and television?
Louis Malle was a French film director, screenwriter, and producer. He was born on October 30, 1932, in Thumeries, Nord, France. Malle worked in both French cinema and Hollywood, producing films in both French and English languages. He is known for directing several notable films, including "Elevator to the Gallows" in...
Louis Malle by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Spécial cinéma (1974) as Self — aged about 41
- Cinépanorama (1956) as Self — aged about 23
- The Thief of Paris (1967) as Extra (uncredited) — aged about 34
- Les Rendez-vous du dimanche (1975) as Self — aged about 42
- Samedi soir (1971) as Self — aged about 38
- Phantom India (1969) as Self - Narrator — aged about 36
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