| French actor Date of Birth: Country: France |
Jean Gabin (born Jean Moncorgé) was born in Paris on May 17, , to vaudeville performers Ferdinand Moncorgé and Hélène Petit. He spent his childhood in Méry-sur-Oise, a town north of Paris. He worked briefly as a laborer before launching his show business career at 19, playing a minor role in the Folies Bergère. He continued to play small parts until he joined the military.
After completing his military service, Gabin returned to show business and took on his stage name, Jean Gabin. He performed in various roles in Parisian music halls and operettas, often imitating the singing style of Maurice Chevalier. He joined a theatrical troupe that toured South America and, upon returning to France, became a cast member at the Moulin Rouge.
Gabin's talent was recognized, and he began playing larger roles in theater. In , he made his film debut in two silent films. He married Gaby Basset in , but their marriage ended in That same year, Gabin transitioned into sound films, starring in Pathé's "Chacun sa Chance."
Gabin played supporting roles in over a dozen films during the next four years, working with directors such as Maurice and Jacques Tourneur. His breakthrough came in with his role in Julien Duvivier's "Maria Chapdelaine."
Gabin became a major French star in with his starring role in Duvivier's war drama "La Bandera." International fame followed in with his appearances in two critically acclaimed and commercially successful films: Julien Duvivier's "Pépé le Moko" and Jean Renoir's "La Grande Illusion." The latter anti-war film was a box office hit and ran for six months in New York City. Gabin considered numerous Hollywood offers but declined them.
When World War II broke out and Germany invaded France, Gabin, along with Jean Renoir and Julien Duvivier, moved to the United States. He married Suzanne Marguerite Jeanne Mauchain in and had two children with her. They divorced in In Hollywood, Gabin began a tumultuous romance with Marlene Dietrich.
During his time in Hollywood, Gabin starred in several unsuccessful films. His difficult personality hindered his career when he demanded that Dietrich be given a major role in a film he was set to star in. The studio refused, and Gabin was fired.
Gabin subsequently joined Charles de Gaulle's Free French movement. He fought valiantly in North Africa, earning military honors such as the Médaille Militaire and Croix de Guerre. After the Normandy landings, Gabin participated in the liberation of Paris, famously embracing Marlene Dietrich, who was waiting impatiently in the crowd.
After the war, Gabin returned to France. He attempted a film with Dietrich, "Martin Roumagnac," which was a box office failure. He returned to the stage, but a financial disaster followed. Despite these setbacks, Gabin starred in René Clément's "Au-Delà des Grilles," which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in but failed to connect with audiences.
Gabin's career appeared to be over after several unsuccessful films in the following years.
Gabin made a triumphant return to form in with Jacques Becker's "Touchez pas au grisbi." His performance was critically acclaimed, and the film was a huge commercial success. In the following two decades, Gabin starred in nearly 50 films, many of which were produced by Gafer Films, a company he founded with fellow actor Fernandel.
Gabin married Dominique Fournier in and had three children with her: daughters Florence and Valérie and son Mathias. Interestingly, Gabin disapproved of his daughter Florence's acting career and refused to attend her wedding when she married a jockey against his wishes.
Jean Gabin died of a heart attack on November 15, , in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris. He was cremated, and his ashes were scattered at sea from the destroyer Détruyat with full military honors.
Jean Gabin is considered one of the greatest stars of French cinema. He was awarded the Legion of Honour in , and a museum in his honor was opened in his hometown of Méry-sur-Oise. The socionics archetype "Gabin" is named after him.