Michael Lonsdale

Born:24. mai 1931

Place of Birth:Paris, France

Died:21. september 2020

Known For:Acting

Biography

Michael Lonsdale, born Michael Edward Lonsdale Crouch on May 24, 1931, was a versatile French actor and accomplished author who left a lasting impact on the world of cinema. His career spanned over six decades, during which he showcased his remarkable talent and versatility in a wide range of roles.

Lonsdale's unique ability to bring depth and authenticity to his characters made him a highly respected figure in the film industry. Whether portraying a villain, a mentor, or a supporting role, he always delivered a captivating performance that resonated with audiences worldwide. His presence on screen was commanding, his delivery nuanced, and his performances unforgettable.

Throughout his career, Lonsdale collaborated with some of the most renowned directors and actors in the industry, leaving a lasting impression with each role he undertook. His dedication to his craft and his commitment to excellence earned him critical acclaim and a loyal fan following.

Beyond his work in film, Lonsdale was also a talented author, showcasing his literary prowess through various writings. His passion for storytelling extended beyond the screen, allowing him to connect with audiences on a deeper level through his words.

With a career that spanned over sixty years, Lonsdale's legacy in the world of cinema remains unparalleled. His contributions to the art of acting and storytelling continue to inspire aspiring actors and filmmakers, leaving behind a body of work that will be cherished for generations to come.

Known for his distinctive voice, commanding presence, and ability to convey a wide range of emotions with subtlety and depth, Lonsdale's performances were always a masterclass in the art of acting. Whether on stage or on screen, he had a rare talent for captivating audiences and immersing them in the world of his characters.

His versatility as an actor allowed him to seamlessly transition between genres, from drama to thriller to comedy, showcasing his range and flexibility as a performer. Lonsdale's ability to inhabit each character he portrayed with authenticity and depth set him apart as a true artist of his craft.

As a testament to his talent and dedication, Lonsdale received numerous accolades throughout his career, including prestigious awards and nominations that recognized his outstanding contributions to the world of cinema. His performances were not only memorable but also transformative, leaving a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of watching him on screen.

Michael Lonsdale's passing on September 21, 2020, marked the end of an era in the film industry. However, his legacy lives on through his timeless performances, his impactful writings, and the indelible mark he left on the hearts of all who had the pleasure of experiencing his work. He will always be remembered as a true icon of the silver screen, whose talent and passion for storytelling continue to inspire audiences around the world.

Images

Filmograafia

Näitlemine

The Day of the Jackal

Deputy Commissioner Claude Lebel

1973

An international assassin known as ‘The Jackal’ is employed by disgruntled French generals to kill President Charles de Gaulle, with a dedicated gendarme on the assassin’s trail.

Ronin

Jean-Pierre

1998

A briefcase with undisclosed contents – sought by Irish terrorists and the Russian mob – makes its way into criminals' hands. An Irish liaison assembles a squad of mercenaries, or 'ronin', and gives them the thorny task of recovering the case.

Munich

Papa

2005

During the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, eleven Israeli athletes are taken hostage and murdered by a Palestinian terrorist group known as Black September. In retaliation, the Israeli government recruits a group of Mossad agents to track down and execute those responsible for the attack.

Moonraker

Hugo Drax

1979

After Drax Industries' Moonraker space shuttle is hijacked, secret agent James Bond is assigned to investigate, traveling to California to meet the company's owner, the mysterious Hugo Drax. With the help of scientist Dr. Holly Goodhead, Bond soon uncovers Drax's nefarious plans for humanity, all the while fending off an old nemesis, Jaws, and venturing to Venice, Rio, the Amazon...and even outer space.

The Name of the Rose

The Abbot

1986

14th-century Franciscan monk William of Baskerville and his young novice arrive at a conference to find that several monks have been murdered under mysterious circumstances. To solve the crimes, William must rise up against the Church's authority and fight the shadowy conspiracy of monastery monks using only his intelligence; which is considerable.

The Holcroft Covenant

Ernst Manfredi

1985

A man who was a confidant of Adolf Hitler dies and leaves a fortune to make amends for his Nazi past—but his son has to search the world to find it.

The Remains of the Day

Dupont D'Ivry

1993

A rule-bound head butler's world of manners and decorum in the household he maintains is tested by the arrival of a housekeeper who falls in love with him in post-WWI Britain. The possibility of romance and his master's cultivation of ties with the Nazi cause challenge his carefully maintained veneer of servitude.

Agora

Theon

2009

A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria and her relationship with her slave Davus, who is torn between his love for her and the possibility of gaining his freedom by joining the rising tide of Christianity.

Murmur of the Heart

Father Henri

1971

This loosely plotted coming-of-age tale follows the life of 15-year-old Laurent Chevalier as he stumbles his way over the burgeoning swell of adolescence in 1950s France. After having his first sexual experience with a prostitute and dodging the lips of a priest, Chevalier contracts a case of scarlet fever. When the fever leaves him with a heart murmur, Chevalier is placed in a sanatorium, along with his over-attentive and adulterous mother.

The Trial

Priest

1962

Josef K wakes up in the morning and finds the police in his room. They tell him that he is on trial but nobody tells him what he is accused of. In order to find out about the reason for this accusation and to protest his innocence, he tries to look behind the façade of the judicial system. But since this remains fruitless, there seems to be no chance for him to escape from this nightmare.

The Phantom of Liberty

The Hatter

1974

This Surrealist film, with a title referencing the Communist Manifesto, strings together short incidents based on the life of director Luis Buñuel. Presented as chance encounters, these loosely related, intersecting situations, all without a consistent protagonist, reach from the 19th century to the 1970s. Touching briefly on subjects such as execution, pedophilia, incest, and sex, the film features an array of characters, including a sick father and incompetent police officers.

Stolen Kisses

Georges Tabard

1968

The third in a series of films featuring François Truffaut's alter-ego, Antoine Doinel, the story resumes with Antoine being discharged from military service. His sweetheart Christine's father lands Antoine a job as a security guard, which he promptly loses. Stumbling into a position assisting a private detective, Antoine falls for his employers' seductive wife, Fabienne, and finds that he must choose between the older woman and Christine.

Hibernatus

Edouard Loriebat

1969

The frozen body of Paul Fournier is discovered in Greenland where he had disappeared during a scientific expedition in 1905. Perfectly conserved he is brought back to life in the 1960s. His descendants take care of him: to spare him the cultural shock they behave so to make believe it's 1905 and they are his cousins, uncle...

Goya's Ghosts

Inquisitor General

2006

Painter Francisco Goya becomes involved with the Spanish Inquisition after his muse, Inés, is arrested by the church for heresy. Her family turns to him, hoping that his connection with fanatical Inquisitor Lorenzo, whom he is painting, can secure her release.