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French actor Philippe Noiret dies French actor Philippe Noiret dies
(9 minutes later)
French film star Philippe Noiret, one of the most popular and prolific actors of his generation, has died at the age of 76.French film star Philippe Noiret, one of the most popular and prolific actors of his generation, has died at the age of 76.
Noiret, who made more than 125 films in a career spanning over half a century, died after battling cancer.Noiret, who made more than 125 films in a career spanning over half a century, died after battling cancer.
Famed for his flexibility, he was able to play roles as diverse as haughty aristocrats and middle-class men.Famed for his flexibility, he was able to play roles as diverse as haughty aristocrats and middle-class men.
Among his most famous films was Cinema Paradiso, in which he played a village projectionist.Among his most famous films was Cinema Paradiso, in which he played a village projectionist.
Panache
Other memorable roles included the exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda in Il Postino (The Postman) and a middle-aged glutton in La Grande Bouffe (Blow Out).Other memorable roles included the exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda in Il Postino (The Postman) and a middle-aged glutton in La Grande Bouffe (Blow Out).
Panache
Noiret moved from the stage to the screen, helping to shape the French cinema of the 1960s.Noiret moved from the stage to the screen, helping to shape the French cinema of the 1960s.
His portrayal of an unhappy uncle in Zazie dans le Metro (Zazie on the Metro) made his name.His portrayal of an unhappy uncle in Zazie dans le Metro (Zazie on the Metro) made his name.
Known as a workaholic, Noiret considered every role a test. Over the years he worked with all of France's top directorsKnown as a workaholic, Noiret considered every role a test.
"What's difficult is not doing something, it's redoing it," he once said of his art."What's difficult is not doing something, it's redoing it," he once said of his art.
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said the worlds of theatre and film had been suddenly orphaned by Noiret's death.French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said the worlds of theatre and film had been suddenly orphaned by Noiret's death.
"Through his voice, his allure, his panache, Philippe Noiret knew how to seize and express something within the French soul," he said."Through his voice, his allure, his panache, Philippe Noiret knew how to seize and express something within the French soul," he said.
"The silhouette and the voice, so tender and familiar, will be missed by all," he added."The silhouette and the voice, so tender and familiar, will be missed by all," he added.