Louis de Funès, born Louis Germain David de Funès de Galarza, was a French actor and comedian born on July 31, 1914, in Courbevoie, France. He began his career as a pianist and played in orchestras before taking up acting after WWII.

He started acting in films in 1945 but only gained widespread recognition in the 1960s. Much like Jim Carrey or Jerry Lewis, Louis de Funès is known for his exaggerated facial expressions, physical comedy, and unique acting style, which made him one of the most successful and popular comedic actors of his time. He passed away on January 27, 1983, in Nantes, France, but remains one of the most influential figures of French cinema. Watch the documentary available on the French streaming platformTV5MONDEPlus, "Louis de Funès, champion du box office" to understand just how much of a popular figure Louis de Funès was in the 60's and 70's in France.

Where can I watch Louis de Funès movies?

It's not always easy to find streaming available for Louis de Funès movies but luckily for you, the platform TV5MONDE Cinema on Demand will have 10 French movies with Louis de Funès available from this November until February 2024. French cult classics like "L'homme orchestre", "La folie des grandeurs", "Oscar", "Les grandes vacances" and "Pouic Pouic" will be among the movies with Louis de Funès available on TV5MONDE. Subscribe here to TV5MONDE.

Louis de Funès' 10 best movies and defining roles

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Les aventures de Rabbi Jacob

Louis de Funès' role in the film 'Les Aventures De Rabbi Jacob' was one of his most remarkable and iconic characters. He played the role of Victor Pivert, a bigoted businessman who gets involved with a revolutionary disguised as a Rabbi on his way to attending his daughter's wedding. The film was a massive success and highlighted Louis de Funès' unique style of comedy and acting. The French actor managed to bring the character of Victor Pivert to life, a character grappling with his beliefs and prejudices, and made him lovable despite his flaws. There was the talent of Louis de Funès: make the audience side with the most annoying, difficult, haughty characters. 'Les Aventures De Rabbi Jacob' showcased his versatility as an actor and cemented his place as one of the most significant French comedians of all time.

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La Grande Vadrouille

This comedy about two ordinary Frenchmen who help the crew and passengers of a Royal Air Force plane that crash-lands near Paris, was another one of Louis de Funès' best works. The movie broke box office records and remains one of the most successful French films of all time, only surpassed by 'The Intouchables' and 'Bienvenue chez les ch'tis'. His role in the film as a grumpy conductor named Stanislas Lefort earned him acclaim and recognition worldwide. Louis de Funès Fernandel and Bourvil were at the time the only French actors who could make the audience laugh about WWII just a few years after it had ended.

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Hibernatus

In the film 'Hibernatus', Louis de Funès played the role of Hubert de Tartas, a man who was cryogenically frozen in the late 19th century and discovered in the modern era. He captured the essence of a man from a bygone era struggling to fit into the modern world, making the film a classic in French comedy. Louis de Funès' role in the movie showcased his versatility as an actor and his incredible ability to bring humor to every character he played.

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L'aile ou la cuisse

This French comedy about the conflict between two generations in the restaurant business was another box office smash. Louis de Funès played the character of Charles Duchemin, a food critic, going after an industrial magnate making "fake" food.

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Oscar

This might not be his most famous movie but it is our personal favorite. In the comedy of errors 'Oscar,' Louis de Funès plays the role of Bertrand Barnier, an eager but parsimonious man who learns in a single day that his daughter is pregnant with a man he disapproves of and that he has been robbed by an employee. In the film, Louis de Funès brilliantly showcased his unique style of physical comedy and acting. He portrayed Bertrand's character perfectly, drawing the audience in with his mannerisms, expressions, and reactions to the film's absurd scenarios.

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Le Grand Restaurant

This satire of the French political elite was another box office hit for Louis de Funès, as he plays with impeccable comedic timing Monsieur Septime, the overly proud head waiter of a Parisian restaurant.

Subscribe now and watch it on TV5MONDE Cinema on Demand in November

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The Gendarme de Saint-Tropez

This series of films saw him put on the role of Ludovic Cruchot, a bumbling policeman who struggles with maintaining law and order in the city of Saint-Tropez. This role is one of his most remembered ones and has become his trademark role. Still today, the series is broadcast on TV each summer to the delight of every generation!

La Traversée de Paris

La Traversée de Paris sees Louis de Funès play the role of Jambier, a black marketeer who hires two strangers to carry a stolen pig on a wheeled cart across the German-occupied streets of Paris. More serious than most of his films, La Traversée de Paris was an important movie in Louis de Funès filmography as it showcased the solidarity and ingenuity of the the French resistance during the war, but also Louis de Funès' talent for more dramatic roles that don't require any over-the-top facial expressions.

L'avare

This role was meant for Louis de Funès. In the movie adaptation of Moliere's 'L'Avare,' he played the role of Harpagon, a wealthy and miserly father who values his wealth and possessions above everything else, including his family. Louis de Funès brought Harpagon's character to life brilliantly, capturing the miser's absurdities and stinginess while also making him an intriguing and entertaining character.

Fantômas

Louis de Funès played the role of Commissioner Juve in the 'Fantomas' series, a film adaptation of a popular French crime novel. The series was a classic in French cinema, featuring a criminal mastermind named Fantomas and his arch-nemesis, Juve. Louis de Funès' performance as Juve was exceptional, and he brought a unique comedic element to the film's otherwise dark tone. He played Juve as a bumbling yet determined police officer who always ended up outsmarted by Fantomas. The 'Fantomas' series was a box office success, and Louis de Funès' portrayal of Commissioner Juve played a significant role in its popularity.

Louis de Funès legacy on French cinema

Louis de Funès had this unique style of acting. He was one of those rare actors who could make the audience laugh with just his facial expressions and body language. His ability to bring the essence of a character to life was exceptional, and this rightly earned him recognition as a great comedian of his time. Though he never won any prestigious awards, he was highly regarded for his contribution to the film industry.

If vaudeville is still well alive in plays and movies, we owe it to Louis de Funès whose comedies passed the test of time. To learn more about Louis de Funès' career and legacy, watch the documentary in French with English subtitles "Funès, le rire éternel" available on TV5MONDEplus.

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