Photo: original: Carl Van Vechten derivative work: …trialsanderrors / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
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
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- film actor / actor / sculptor / painter / theatre director
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Private
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. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Bust of Jean Gabin | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Jean Marais born?
December 11, 1913 – November 8, 1998.
Where is Jean Marais from?
Jean Marais is from Cherbourg, Manche, France.
What does Jean Marais do?
Jean Marais works as film actor, actor, sculptor, painter, theatre director.
What is Jean Marais known for?
Notable works include Bust of Jean Gabin.
Film actor — see all → · Actor — see all → · More people from France →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.