Alexandre Rignault

Biography

Alexandre Rignault (Paris, 1901 - 1985) was a French actor who worked on stage, in film and on television. He is remembered mainly for supporting roles, which carried him through almost the whole history of French cinema, from the early sound era to the mid-1980s.

The son of a mechanic and a housewife, he tried several jobs before turning to the theatre. In the mid-1920s he wrote to Louis Jouvet offering his services, and Jouvet hired him for small parts in his company. For about fifteen years he appeared in plays by Gogol, Marcel Achard and Jules Romains, and took part in the premieres of several works by Jean Giraudoux. After the war he returned to the stage in plays by Paul Claudel.

His film debut came in 1931 with Jean Renoir's La Chienne, in which he played the art critic Langelard. He was rarely a lead, but he was a steady presence on screen, playing foremen, innkeepers, priests, notaries and policemen. His Henry VIII in François 1er (1937) brought him wider recognition. From the late 1950s he also worked often in television. He died in 1985 and is buried in the Montparnasse cemetery.

Key films

• La Chienne (1931), directed by Jean Renoir: his film debut, as the art critic Langelard.
• François 1er (1937), directed by Christian-Jaque: his Henry VIII opposite Fernandel brought him to a wider audience.
• Fantômas (1947), directed by Jean Sacha: he played Inspector Juve in a role that recurred across the series.
• La Fête à Henriette (1952), directed by Julien Duvivier: he played the father of Dany Robin's character.