Photo: original: Carl Van Vechten derivative work: …trialsanderrors / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Public records list Jean Marais as a film actor, sculptor and painter. Jean Marais was born in Cherbourg, Manche, France on December 11, 1913. Death is recorded on November 8, 1998, at the age of 84. Recorded honors include Victoires du cinéma français (1951), Honorary César (1993), Commander of the Legion of Honour and 3 more. Notable works include Bust of Jean Gabin.
My Take
To me, Jean Marais embodies an era when cinema still felt like high art. He was not merely a strikingly handsome leading man but a genuine polymath: actor, sculptor, painter, theatre director. His luminous presence in poetic films helped define the golden age of French cinema, and the honours he gathered, from the Honorary César to the highest ranks of the Legion of Honour, only confirm it. That he could also sculpt a bust of Jean Gabin tells you everything about his restless talent. I doubt we will see another all-encompassing artist quite like him again.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Jean Marais
- Name (Japanese)
- ジャン・マレー
- Reading
- じゃん・まれー
- Born
- December 11, 1913 – November 8, 1998
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Sagittarius / Ox
- Origin
- Cherbourg, Manche, France
- Occupation
- film actor / actor / sculptor / painter / theatre director
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- 1951 Victoires du cinéma français
- 1993 Honorary César
- Commander of the Legion of Honour
- Officer of the Legion of Honour
- Knight of the Legion of Honour
- Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Bust of Jean Gabin | — |
4. Links
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean%20Marais
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%BB%E3%83%9E%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q168359
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Jean Marais born?
Born December 11, 1913.
When did Jean Marais die?
Died November 8, 1998, aged 84.
Where was Jean Marais from?
Jean Marais was from Cherbourg, Manche, France.
What did Jean Marais do?
Jean Marais worked as film actor, actor, sculptor, painter, theatre director.
What was Jean Marais known for?
Notable works include Bust of Jean Gabin.
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