‘Cinema Paradiso’ Star Jacques Perrin Dies at 80

Jacques Perrin, star of Cinema Paradiso and Z, has died at age 80. In addition to his roles in the aforementioned films, Perrin was a famous French actor, director, and producer. His son Mathieu Simonet announced his passing.

The statement says: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of filmmaker Jacques Perrin, who died Thursday, April 21, in Paris. He died peacefully at the age of 80.”

Born in Paris in 1941, Perrin acted in over 70 films across his long career. In addition to Cinema Paradiso and Z, he is also well known for his roles in The Chorus and Brotherhood of the Wolf. In addition to playing a photojournalist in the political thriller Z, Perrin also produced the film which won the 1970 Oscars for Best International Feature Film and Best Film Editing. Beyond this, Perrin was nominated for two other Oscars: Best Picture for Z, and Best Feature Length Documentary for Le peuple migrateur, a documentary covering bird migration patterns on all seven continents, impressively shot over three years.

Perrin is survived by his wife Valentine Perrin and their three sons Mathieu, Maxence, and Lancelot, the two oldest being actors.