Phillipe Noiret, R.I.P,
The great Phillipe Noiret, the portly, droopy- faced French character actor whose three greatest performances were in Giuseppe Tornatore's Cinema Paradiso and Bertrand Tavernier's Coup de Tourchon and Life and Nothing But, died a day or two ago. A sad thing to report, but we're all getting there sooner or later -- no exceptions. Weep not for Phillipe, who lived a very full and succulent life.
A man of cosmopolitan tastes who never failed to convey patience, kindliness and thoughtfulness, Noiret had recently turned 76 years old. The IMDB says he made 150 films, starting with his debut in a 1949 production of Gigi. His final film, Trois Amis, is apparently in post and set for release next year.
I admired Noiret all my life, but I never really swam in the pool. Houston-based critic and blogger Joe Leydon did for years, however, so please read his moving, very well-written tribute piece, which went up yesterday.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on November 24, 2006 at 11:58 AM
comment #1
jjgittes
says ...
A very great actor - of the modern ones he was one of the few capable of playing "big" while also being nuanced - in that rare league with Depardieu, Pacino, Finney.
Just watched him in "La Grande Bouffe" which I watch every Thanksgiving - for obvious reasons.
Posted by jjgittes
at November 24, 2006 12:46 PM
comment #2
Dixon Steele
says ...
Most people knew and loved him from his most popular film IL POSTINO, in which he played the great poet Pablo Neruda.
Indeed, a rich, full life he had...RIP PN...
Posted by Dixon Steele
at November 24, 2006 1:13 PM
comment #3
NYCritic
says ...
I'm actually surprised you haven't mentioned the passing of Betty Comden. While she perhaps was best known as a Broadway lyricist and book writer, she and her longtime collaborator Adolph Green were responsible for what is generally considered one of the best Hollywood musicals ever made: Singin' in the Rain.
Posted by NYCritic
at November 24, 2006 1:24 PM
comment #4
Nick29
says ...
This is starting to get fucked up:
I watch City Slickers, Palance dies the next day.
I watch M*A*S*H, ALtman dies the next day.
I watch Cinema Paradiso, Noiret dies the next day.
What the hell, these things better come in threes cause I watched Groundhog Day today,,if you're reading this and were in that movie, watch your ass,,please.
and i was so happy to share Paradiso with my family on Thanksgiving, everyone loved it, great movie.
Posted by Nick29
at November 24, 2006 7:23 PM