Michel Subor, born Mischa Subotzki, was a French actor of Ukrainian descent, born in 1935 in Paris, France, to anti-Bolshevik parents who had fled the Soviet Union a few years prior. His father, an engineer from Moscow, and his mother, born in Azerbaijan, instilled in him a strong sense of identity. His sister would later move to the United States, pursuing a new life.
Subor's early career was marked by small roles in films such as Frou-Frou (1955) alongside Dany Robin, and the comedy Un drôle de dimanche/A Strange Sunday (1958). He then landed a role as the son of Jean Richard in the comedy Mon pote le gitan/My buddy the Gypsy (1959).
Subor's breakthrough came with his first leading role as the lover of Brigitte Bardot's character in the sexy comedy La Bride sur le Cou/Please, Not Now! (1961). This was preceded by his important early role in Jean-Luc Godard's Le Petit Soldat/The Little Soldier (1960),which was banned from release in France for three years due to its depiction of torture on both the French and Algerian sides during the Algerian struggle for independence. Subor played Bruno Forestier, a young, disillusioned man who becomes involved in politics, yet ultimately lacks deep political convictions.
Subor's distinctive voice also lent itself to narration in another iconic film of the Nouvelle Vague, Jules and Jim (1962),directed by François Truffaut. This film, released in 1962, cemented Subor's status as a versatile and talented actor.
