Biography
Michel Piccoli was a French actor whose career spanned seven decades. Born Jacques Daniel Michel Piccoli in Paris on 27 December 1925, he made his screen debut as an extra in Sortilèges (1945) and his first credited role in Le Point du Jour (1948). He trained with Andrée Bauer-Théraud and at the Cours Simon, and worked extensively in theatre with companies including Renaud-Barrault and at the Théâtre de Babylone.
Piccoli became known for roles in films directed by Jean-Luc Godard (Contempt, 1963), Luis Buñuel (Belle de Jour, 1967; The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, 1972), and Leos Carax (Holy Motors, 2012), among many others. He appeared in more than 170 films and also directed and wrote for the screen. He died on 12 May 2020.
