Louis Jourdan: French actor dies at home in California, aged 93
Jourdan began his acting career in France before finding success in Hollywood
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.French actor Louis Jourdan, who starred in the multi-Oscar winning 1958 musical Gigi, has died in California at the age of 93.
Born in Marseilles in 1921 as Louis Robert Gendre, Jourdan began his acting career in France before finding success in Hollywood.
Described by author James McKay as "the epitome of the suave Continental" and by himself as Hollywood’s "French cliché", he was best known as the romantic lead alongside Leslie Caron and Maurice Chevalier in the film adaptation of Colette’s novel Gigi. The film won nine Academy Awards.
He later went on to play several villains, including the role of wealthy prince Kamal Khan in the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy.
In July 2010 he was made an Officer de la Legion d’honneur, France’s highest award. Oliver Minne, Jourdan’s official biographer, said: "He embodied French elegance and Hollywood offered him the parts to go with that."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments