Jean Drouot is a renowned Belgian actor who has made a significant impact on the stage and screen, primarily in France. His journey in the world of acting began with a youth theatre at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, where he was simultaneously studying law and medicine. In 1959, he decided to leave Brussels and relocate to Paris, where he took drama classes with the esteemed Charles Dullin. This marked the beginning of his successful career on stage, often performing in plays by the iconic French playwright Molière.
Three years later, in 1962, Drouot's exceptional performance caught the attention of producers, leading to his selection for the title role in the television adventure series Thierry la Fronde (1963). The series followed the story of a dispossessed French nobleman, Thierry, who fights against the English during the 100 Years War. This role not only showcased his acting prowess but also launched his career in television.
Drouot's presence on the big screen is equally impressive, with notable roles in Agnès Varda's Happiness (1965) and Claude Chabrol's The Breach (1970). He also shared the screen with Hollywood stars Kirk Douglas and Yul Brynner in the pirate adventure/fantasy film The Light at the Edge of the World (1971),which was adapted from a 1905 novel by Jules Verne. Furthermore, he appeared in the historical drama Nicholas and Alexandra (1971),playing the role of Pierre Gilliard, the French language tutor to the five children of Tsar Nicholas II.
As the years progressed, Drouot's focus shifted towards his true passion, the theatre. He took on the directorship of the Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles from 1985 to 1989. In 1999, he joined the esteemed ensemble of the Comédie-Française. Although he has continued to work steadily in television, he has also appeared in various notable roles, including the title character in the historical drama series Gaston Phoebus (1978),Émile Zola in L'affaire Dreyfus (1995),and defense counsel Malesherbes in The Man Who Didn't Want to Be King (2011),arguing for the life of Louis XVI.
