André Pousse
André Pousse (20 October 1919 – 9 September 2005) was a noted French actor and, in his youth, also a notable cyclist.
Biography
While primarily known as a leading French actor, André Pousse began his professional career as a cyclist (primarily track). His greatest cycling achievements took place in the infamous Vél d'Hiv (Vélodrome d'Hiver or Winter Velodrome), in Paris, where he won the prestigious "six days of Vél d'Hiv" races from 1942 to 1949. Indeed, Pousse is the record holder in this event, and will remain so as the Vél d'Hiv has since been torn down. The "race," as it was, took place in front of 20,000 spectators and was a major French cultural and sporting event. It lasted six days and nights and, until two-man teams were established, it was apt to land exhausted participants in hospital, as Pousse himself remarked. Alain Delon, who as a child attended the races as an ardent admirer of Pousse, remembers competing with other children for the honor of bringing Pousse his bicycle at the beginning of a race. André Pousse retired from the track in 1950; and later, from 1960, went on to his better known years as an actor in cinema and television. He played mostly gangster roles in police films of the time. For many years, he was the artistic director of the Moulin Rouge in Paris and many other establishments, including the Casino of Lebanon. He also served as the agent of many French actors.
Filmography
- D'où viens-tu, Johnny? (1964)
- Ne nous fâchons pas (1966)
- Un idiot à Paris (1967)
- Max le débonnaire (1967)
- Fleur d'oseille (1968)
- Faut pas prendre les enfants du bon dieu pour des canards sauvages (1968)
- Catherine (1968)
- Le Pacha (1968)
- Des vacances en or (1969)
- Une veuve en or (1969)
- Le Clan des Siciliens (1969)
- Tumuc Humac (1970)
- Trop petit mon ami (1970)
- Comptes à rebours (1971)
- Le Drapeau noir flotte sur la marmite (1971)
- Elle cause plus, elle flingue (1972)
- Un flic (1972)
- Quelques messieurs trop tranquilles (1973)
- L'Insolent (1973)
- Au théâtre ce soir: Le million (1973)
- Profession: Aventuriers (1973)
- OK patron (1974)
- Bons baisers... à lundi (1974)
- Flic Story (1975)
- Bons Baisers de Hong Kong (1975)
- Chantons sous l'Occupation (1976)
- Attention les yeux! (1976)
- Oublie-moi, Mandoline (1976)
- Madame le juge (1977)
- Drôles de Zèbres (1977)
- Le Cœur froid (1977)
- La Septième compagnie au clair de lune (1977)
- Le Sacrifice (1978)
- Les Égouts du paradis (1979)
- Le Corbillard de Jules (1982)
- Mettez du sel sur la queue de l'oiseau pour l'attraper (1982)
- Deux heures moins le quart avant Jésus-Christ (1982)
- Le Privé (1986)
- Le Retour de Lemmy Caution
- Paparoff se dédouble (1990)
- Cluedo (1993)
- Requiem pour un con damné (1994)
- La Tactique du critique (1995)
- Le Diner est servi (1995)
- Dindes au marron (1995)
- Moi j'aime Albert (1996)
- En panne (1996)
- Opération Bugs Bunny (1997)
- Deux bananes flambées et l'addition (1998)
- L'Âme-sœur (1999)
- Comme un poisson hors de l'eau (1999)
- Qui mange quoi? (2002)
- Frank Riva (2003) (TV series)
- Le Plein des sens (2004)
- Qui mange quand? (2004)
Written works
- J'balance pas, j'raconte (autobiography with Laurent Chollet) (2005)
- Histoires sur le pouce (2001)
- Touchez pas aux souvenirs (1989)