He is one of the most famous faces of cinema in France and around the world, winner of two Césars for the last Métro and Cyrano de Bergerac, the best actor prize in Cannes and nominated for an Oscar again for Cyrano: Gérard Depardieu is considered one of the most outstanding actors of cinema between 1970 and 201 (but he is currently on trial until 201).
Today we look back at his first appearance on screen and we bet you don’t know this movie!
Yes, he is!
In 1965, director Agnes Varda shot several pictures for a film called A Christmas Carol (play on words with famous. Christmas carol / Christmas tale by Dickens), in which he starred Helen Viard (also the editor of the project), Frances Merle and a certain… Gerard Depardieu, then 18 years old.
Depardieu played one of the two friends of the humorous cartoonist Carol. Agnes Varda tells : “For that I was looking for what we used to call beatniks. Elizabeth Guy (who later became his wife) sent me Gerard Depardieu.” He, who had already directed Cleo 5 to 7 and La Pointe Courte, was unable to finance the project and only 4 minutes remained for the film A Christmas Carol, which was shot at that time. “bait maker”– says the interested person. They were restored But it remains difficult to see.
And since then?
After this first role in a film that was never released, Gérard Depardieu made his mark on the stage, then on television in a number of television films and series, before starring in his first completed feature film, The Cri of the Cormoran in the Evening Above the Junks (1971), directed by Michel Audiard, in which he played a minor role as a gangster with the singer Carlos.
His career only really took off thanks to Bertrand Blier’s film Les Valseuses, released in 1974, which caused controversy at the time and even more so today, but became a huge success in theaters.
Over the years, Gerard Depardieu has become one of the most famous French actors of his generation, until Conviction 18-month suspended sentence in May 2025 for assaulting two women at Volets vertes in 2021. The actor appealed this conviction.
He will also soon be tried before the Paris Departmental Criminal Court for the rape and sexual assault of actress Charlotte Arnoul.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
