Michel Simon
Biography
Michel Simon was a Swiss actor born on April 9, 1895, in Geneva, Switzerland. He is known for his work in various films. Simon's acting credits include notable films such as La Chienne, Boudu Saved from Drowning, L'Atalante, Port of Shadows, The Head, and The Train. He was considered one of the best actors by Charlie Chaplin, who described him as the best actor in the world. Simon's acting career spanned many years, with a total of 126 known credits. He passed away on May 30, 1975, at the age of 80.
Career overview
Michel Simon was a Swiss actor. He appeared in numerous films throughout his career. Simon's notable roles include films such as La Chienne, Boudu Saved from Drowning, L'Atalante, Port of Shadows, The Head, and The Train. These films showcase his acting abilities and demonstrate his range as a performer.
Simon's career spanned multiple decades, with his earliest known film appearance being in the 1930s. He continued to work in the film industry until his death in 1975. During his career, Simon collaborated with various directors and actors, including Charlie Chaplin, who praised Simon as the best actor in the world.
Simon's acting credits total 126, although the specific titles of these films are not provided. His work in film has left a lasting impact on the industry, with his performances in notable films continuing to be recognized and appreciated today.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
129 titles- Belmondo: The Incorrigible (2022)
- Morceaux de Cannes (2021)
- René Clair, tout entre nous n'était qu'un jeu (2021) as Lui-même
- Carné, Prévert : drôle de duo (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- The Bardot mystery (2012)
- Cinéastes de notre temps : Jean Vigo (2012) as Self
- Arletty, Lady Paname (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- Jean Vigo : le son retrouvé (2001) as Le père Jules (archive footage)
- Encyclopédie audiovisuelle du cinéma (1978) as Self (archive footage)
- Journey Through History (1977) as Self (archive footage)
- The Red Ibis (1975) as Zizi
- The Butcher, the Star and the Orphan (1975) as Erotologist
- Spécial cinéma (1974) as Self (archive footage)
- Le Grand Échiquier (1972) as Self
- Blanche (1972) as Master
- The Most Wonderful Evening of My Life (1972) as Attorney Zorn
- Samedi soir (1971) as Self
- Let's Have a Riot (1970) as Cavazza
- The House (1970) as Louis Compiegne
- The Marriage Came Tumbling Down (1968) as Le vieux Jéricho
- The Two of Us (1967) as Pépé
- La Plaie et le Couteau, Charles Baudelaire (1967) as Un récitant
- Jean Renoir, le patron, 2e partie: La direction d'acteur (1967) as Self - Interviewee
- Two Hours to Kill (1966) as Locker Attendant
- Dim Dam Dom (1965) as Self
- Cinéastes de notre temps : Sacha Guitry (1965) as Self - Interviewee
- The Train (1964) as Papa Boul
- Cyrano and d'Artagnan (1964) as Le Grognard
- Michel Simon (1964) as Self
- Ecco (1963) as Self
- The Devil and the Ten Commandments (1962) as Jérôme Chambard
- Emile's Boat (1962) as Charles-Edmond Larmentiel
- Austerlitz (1960) as Alboise
- Pete the Tender (1960) as Pierrot
- Candide or The Optimism in the 20th Century (1960) as Colonel Nanar, du cadre de réserve
- Discorama (1959) as Self
- The Head (1959) as Prof. Dr. Abel
- It Happened in Broad Daylight (1958) as Jacquier
- A Certain Mr. Jo (1958) as Joseph "Jo" Guardini
- Three Make a Pair (1957) as Commissaire Bernard
- Cinépanorama (1956) as Self
- Mémoires d'un flic (1956) as Principal Commissioner Henri Dominique
- La joyeuse prison (1956) as Benoit, chief guard
- The Impossible Mr. Pipelet (1955) as Maurice Martin, concierge d'immeuble
- Reflets de Cannes (1954) as Self
- Hungarian Rhapsody (1954) as General von Sayn-Wittgenstein
- The Anatomy of Love (1954) as Padre Silvio
- At the Order of the Czar (1954) as Prince de Sayn-Wittgenstein
- Strange Desire of Mr. Bard (1954) as Auguste Bard
- The Virtuous Scoundrel (1953) as Albert Ménard-Lacoste / Alain Ménard-Lacoste
- The Merchant of Venice (1953) as Shylock
- Saadia (1953) as Bou Rezza
- Femmes de Paris (1953) as Professor Charles Buisson
- Full House (1952) as Commissioner Jules Maigret (segment "Le témoignage d'un enfant de choeur")
- The Girl with the Whip (1952) as Le tuteur
- Crimson Curtain (1952) as Lucien Bertal / Léonard, his understudy / Banquo
- Hôtel des Invalides (1952) as Récitant / Narrator (voice)
- Mister Taxi (1952) as Pierre Verger, « Monsieur Taxi »
- The Road to Damascus (1952) as Caïphe
- Poison (1951) as Paul Louis Victor Braconnier
- The Two Truths (1951) as Cidoni
- The Beauty of the Devil (1950) as Mephistopheles / Old Prof. Henri Faust
- Fabiola (1949) as Senator Fabius Severus
- La Carcasse et le Tord-cou (1948) as Joseph Ferdinand Anselme Midot,aka 'Le tord-cou'
- The Crowned Fish Tavern (1947) as Captain Palmer
- Panic (1947) as Monsieur Hire
- Not Guilty (1947) as Doctor Michel Ancelin
- The Lovers of the Pont Saint-Jean (1947) as Alcide Garonne
- A Friend Will Come Tonight (1946) as Michel Lemaret
- Vautrin the Thief (1943) as Vautrin
- Shop Girls of Paris (1943) as Baudu
- Girl of the Golden West (1942) as Butler
- Tosca (1941) as Il barone Scarpia
- The King's Jester (1941) as Rigoletto
- The King's Jester (1941) Screenplay
- Comedy of Happiness (1940) as Monsieur Jourdain
- Paris - New-York (1940) as Inspector Boucheron
- The Musicians of the Sky (1940) as Le capitaine Simon
- Extenuating Circumstances (1939) as Mr. Gaetan Le Sentencier
- Fric-Frac (1939) as Jo
- Deputy Eusèbe (1939) as Eusèbe Bonbonneau
- Cocoanut (1939) as Josserand
- Cavalcade of Love (1939) as Diogène, Monseigneur de Beaupré & Lacouret
- The End of the Day (1939) as Ernest Cabrissade, eternal understudy
- The Last Turning (1939) as Nick Marino
- Behind the Facade (1939) as Picking, knife-throwing artist
- Beautiful Star (1938) as Léon
- The Stream (1938) as Counr Edouard de Bourgogne, aka 'L'Escargot'
- Mother Love (1938) as Michel Quercy
- Mirages (1938) as Michel
- The New Rich (1938) as Martinet
- Port of Shadows (1938) as Zabel
- Boys' School (1938) as Lemel, le professeur de dessin
- Bizarre, Bizarre (1937) as Irwin Molyneux, alias Félix Chapel
- Naples Under the Kiss of Fire (1937) as Michel
- La Bataille silencieuse (1937) as Sauvin
- Le Choc en retour (1937) as Laverdac
- Boulot aviateur (1937) as Baron Gobèche
- Let's Make a Dream (1936) as Un Invité (Prologue)
- The Twins of Brighton (1936) as Labrosse
- The Fleeing Dead (1936) as Achille Baluchet
- Under Western Eyes (1936) as Lespara
- Moutonnet (1936) as Frècheville
- Girls of Paris (1936) as Baron de Beaupoil / his brother
- Lovers and Thieves (1935) as Doizeau
- Adémaï au Moyen Âge (1935) as Lord Pickwickdam
- A Bum Deal (1935) as Boudu
- Le Bébé de l'escadron (1935) as Perrot-Joly
- L'Atalante (1934) as Père Jules
- Léopold le bien-aimé (1934)
- Le Bonheur (1934) as Noël Malpiaz
- Ladies Lake (1934) as Oscar Lyssenhop
- Miquette and Her Mother (1933) as Monchablon, un médiocre acteur de tournées, qui fait la cour à Miquette
- High and Low (1933) as M. Bodeletz
- Baleydier (1932)
- Boudu Saved from Drowning (1932) as Priape Boudu
- Boudu Saved from Drowning (1932) Producer
- La Chienne (1931) as Maurice Legrand
- Jean of the Moon (1931) as Jean de la Lune
- Jean of the Moon (1931) Director
- Baby's Laxative (1931) as Chouilloux
- Illegitimate Child (1930) as Lorédan
- Pivoine (1929)
- The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) as Jean Lemaître
- The Sad Sack (1928) as Joseph Turlot
- The Late Mathias Pascal (1925) as Jérôme Pomino
- The Vocation of André Carel (1925) as Gaston Lebeau
- The Gallery of Monsters (1924)
- Les Deux Réalités as Cidoni
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Michel Simon best known for?
Michel Simon is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Spécial cinéma (1974), Le Grand Échiquier (1972), Samedi soir (1971), Six fois deux/Sur et sous la communication (1976).
When and where was Michel Simon born?
Michel Simon was born on April 9, 1895 in Geneva, Switzerland. They passed away on May 30, 1975.
How many credits does Michel Simon have?
Michel Simon has accumulated over 129 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1924 to 2022.
What is Michel Simon's background in cinema and television?
Michel Simon was a Swiss actor born on April 9, 1895, in Geneva, Switzerland. He is known for his work in various films. Simon's acting credits include notable films such as La Chienne, Boudu Saved from Drowning, L'Atalante, Port of Shadows, The Head, and The Train. He was considered one of the best actors by Charlie C...
Michel Simon by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Spécial cinéma (1974) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 79
- Cinépanorama (1956) as Self — aged about 61
- Le Grand Échiquier (1972) as Self — aged about 77
- The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) as Jean Lemaître — aged about 33
- The Two of Us (1967) as Pépé — aged about 72
- The Train (1964) as Papa Boul — aged about 69
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