95 Famous French People in History

95 celebrated French figures including actors, musicians, writers, scientists, athletes, and cultural stars across French history.

Editor’s spotlight — updated daily

Jean Louis Trintignant

France

Jean Louis Trintignant, born in 1930 in Piolenc, France, rose to international fame with A Man and a Woman 1966. He won the Silver Bear for Best Actor in 1968 and the Cannes Best Actor award for Z 1969. In his later career, he returned to the screen for Michael Haneke's Amour 2012, which earned him the European Film Award for Best Actor. He died in 2022 from lung cancer.

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