'La Cage aux Folles' (film) actor dies

[cheezedoodle]

Posted: 7/30/07 at 6:45pm

PARIS, France (AP) -- French actor Michel Serrault, whose hit performance as a transvestite in the film and stage versions of "La Cage aux Folles" ("The Birdcage") catapulted him to international stardom, has died, his priest said Monday. He was 79.

Michel Serrault appeared in more than 130 films over the course of his career.

Serrault died Sunday of cancer in his home in the northwestern city of Honfleur, Rev. Alain Maillard de La Morandais said.

Serrault appeared in more than 130 films during a career that spanned half a century. After debuting as a comic actor, Serrault became one of France's most versatile stars, playing a serial killer, a grizzled farmer, a crooked banker and accused rapist.

"I'm against those who only want to entertain," Serrault said in 2002. "I am very happy with all the roles I've played, and I take responsibility for them all."

French President Nicolas Sarkozy paid homage to Serrault's "impressive filmography," calling the actor a "monument of the world of the theater, the cinema and the television."

Born on January 24, 1928, in Brunoy, south of Paris, Serrault initially set his sights on the priesthood, briefly entering a seminary. He dropped out, he later explained, because of the vow of chastity.

After studying acting in Paris, Serrault began as his stage career playing in cabarets.

He made his silver screen debut in 1954 in Jean Loubignac's "Ah! les belles bacchantes" ("Oh, the lovely revelers"), which was released as "Peek-a-boo" in the United States. His first big break came in 1972, with a leading role in Pierre Tchernia's "Le Viager" ("The Life Annuity")

Speaking Monday on LCI television, Tchernia called Serrault "perhaps the greatest French actor," saying he gave to his profession "all his talent, all his strength, all his humor, all his affection."

It was his role as flamboyant gay nightclub owner Albin Mougeotte, also known as Zaza Napoli, in the theater and film versions of the mega-hit "La Cage aux Folles" ("The Birdcage") that catapulted him to fame worldwide. His performance in director Edouard Molinaro's 1978 movie won him the first of three Cesar awards -- the French version of the Oscar.

Serrault remained active, featuring in films through his late seventies. Among his final films was Pierre Javaux's 2006 "Les Enfants du Pays" ("Hometown Boys"), about the role of African soldiers in WWII.



Au Revoir Zsa Zsa

Updated On: 7/30/07 at 06:45 PM

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 7/30/07 at 6:54pm

*No one* did the "toast" bit like Serrault -- and it's something you have to watch with subtitles, so you can truly experience how well targeted his voice was in that role.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 7/30/07 at 10:10pm

People need to stop dying this week.

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 12:34am

very, very sad...

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 12:50am

I'm sad now.

[erikaamato]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 4:09am

I love this movie just so much! I remember renting it on Betamax (swear to God) back in the mid-80's. He was brilliant! I'm so sad he's passed away.

Repose en paix, Monsieur Serrault.

[bschneid76]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 8:39am

La Cage is a terrific comedy. I love it. It will be watched tonight!