Jacques Villeret

Biography

Jacques Villeret (February 6, 1951 – January 28, 2005) was a celebrated French actor, renowned for his role as François Pignon in the hit comedy *Le Dîner de Cons*. His remarkable talent earned him several accolades, including the distinguished Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur.

Born Jacky Boufroura in Loches, Indre-et-Loire, France, to an Algerian father and a French mother, Villeret honed his craft at the Conservatoire de Paris (CNSAD), alongside noted actor Louis Seigner. While *Le Dîner de Cons* remains his most iconic performance, he also garnered acclaim for memorable roles such as the extraterrestrial in *La soupe aux choux*, the autistic character Mo in *L'été en pente douce*, and Marshal Ludwig von Apfelstrudel in *Papy fait de la résistance*.

However, Villeret's personal life faced turmoil, particularly after the success of *Le Dîner de Cons*. Following his separation from his wife, financial troubles led him into a depressive state, compounded by alcoholism. He once reflected on this struggle, describing alcohol as a deceptive friend.

Despite these challenges, Villeret's passion for acting reignited his career. In a 2001 interview, he expressed admiration for artists like Johnny Hallyday and Jacques Brel, demonstrating his dedication to his craft.

Villeret married actress and writer Irina Tarassov in 1979, though they parted ways in 1998. His later years saw him in a deep relationship with Seny, a Senegalese-French widow, until his untimely passing in Évreux in 2005 from a liver hemorrhage. Seny later published a memoir detailing their life together.