François Périer was a renowned French actor, born François Pilu on November 10, 1919, in Paris, to a wine shop manager. At the age of 15, he wrote to legendary actor Louis Jouvet, who helped him enroll in the Cours Simon and Le Conservatoire dramatic institutions.
Périer's early career began on stage, where he gained recognition for his smooth, deep voice and charming presence. He made his film debut in the late 1930s, appearing in films such as La chaleur du sein, Hotel du Nord, La fin du jour, Le veau gras, and L'entraîneuse.
During World War II, Périer worked with prominent directors like Pierre Fresnay, Marcel Carné, Henri Decoin, and René Clair. He received his first male lead in the comedy Mariage d'amour opposite Juliette Faber and Lettres d'amour opposite Odette Joyeux.
Périer continued to appear in leading roles throughout the decade, including the journalist in La ferme aux loups and a romancer in The Loves of Colette. On stage, he was noted for his performances in Jean-Paul Sartre's plays, including "Les Mains Sales" and "The Condemned Of Altona".
In his later years, Périer participated in iconic films like Orpheus, Gervaise, Nights of Cabiria, Lovers on a Tightrope, Le Samouraï, Z, and Just Before Nightfall. He also worked in radio and narration, providing commentaries for classical French recordings.
Périer was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1991, but continued to work in radio and film until his retirement in the mid-1990s. His last film appearance was in the crime drama Mémoires d'un jeune con in 1996.
Périer was married three times, first to actress Jacqueline Porel, then to Marie Daëms, and finally to Colette Boutoulaud. He had three children, including daughter Anne-Marie Périer, who became the editor of Elle magazine, and two sons who worked behind the scenes. Périer passed away on June 29, 2002, at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy as one of France's most prolific leading men and character actors.
