Distinguished French star character actor, on stage from 1908, in films from 1912. Did his best work for director
Henri-Georges Clouzot, achieving international stardom with
Diabolique (1955) and (as
Yves Montand's co-driver) in the riveting
The Wages of Fear (1953). Winner of both a 1953 Best Actor Award, and a 1970 Lifetime Achievement Award, at the Cannes Film Festival.