1. Overview
Laurent Terzieff (1935-2010) was a prominent French actor and director, celebrated for his extensive career across both theatre and cinema. Known for his intense and intellectual performances, Terzieff was a figure who consistently prioritized artistic integrity over commercial success, dedicating much of his career to challenging and thought-provoking stage productions. His work often explored themes of existentialism and human struggle, resonating with a center-left cultural perspective that valued depth and social commentary. Over his decades-long career, he appeared in numerous acclaimed films and directed several notable plays, earning significant recognition, including multiple Molière Awards.
2. Early Life and Background
Laurent Terzieff's personal background was marked by a rich multicultural heritage and a strong inclination towards intellectual and artistic pursuits from a young age. These formative experiences significantly shaped his eventual path into the world of acting.
2.1. Family and Origins
Born on June 27, 1935, in Toulouse, France, Laurent Terzieff was the son of Jean Terzieff, a sculptor of Russian and Romanian descent, and Marina, a French ceramist. His father, Jean, had moved to France from Bucharest, Romania, during the First World War. The family's original surname was ЧемерзинChemerzinRussian.
2.2. Childhood and Education
As an adolescent, Terzieff developed a profound fascination with philosophy and poetry. His initial foray into theatre was not as an actor, but as an assistant for a production of August Strindberg's The Ghost Sonata (La Sonate des spectres), directed by Roger Blin. This experience proved pivotal, as his involvement in the theatrical world at this impressionable age solidified his decision to pursue a career as an actor.
3. Career
Laurent Terzieff's career spanned over five decades, establishing him as a versatile and dedicated artist in both film and theatre. He was recognized as a film actor, stage director, theatre actor, and television actor, consistently delivering powerful performances and contributing significantly to French cultural life.
3.1. Early Theatre Career
Terzieff made his professional acting debut in 1953 at the Parisian Théâtre de Babylone. His first role was in Tous contre tous by Arthur Adamov, marking the beginning of his extensive stage career.
3.2. Film Career
Terzieff's film career was extensive, featuring collaborations with many prominent directors and appearances in a wide array of French and international productions.
3.2.1. Major Film Appearances
After his initial stage roles, Terzieff gained significant cinematic attention when Marcel Carné offered him a lead role in the 1958 film Les Tricheurs (also known as Tricheurs), a narrative exploring the lives of existentialist youth. He went on to appear in numerous films, often collaborating with established French filmmakers.
His notable filmography includes:
- Les Garçons (1959) by Mauro Bolognini
- Araya (1959)
- Kapò (1960)
- Vanina Vanini (1961)
- Tu ne tueras point (1961)
- Les Sept Péchés capitaux (1962)
- Two Weeks in September (1967), where he appeared alongside Brigitte Bardot
- Le Révélateur (1968)
- La prisonnière (1968)
- The Milky Way (1969)
- Medea (1969)
- Le diable par la queue (1969)
- Moses the Lawgiver (1974), a television miniseries starring Burt Lancaster
- La puissante solitude (1974)
- Un ange passe (1975)
- It's Raining on Santiago (1975)
- Jeu (1975), where he played the leading role as a priest, alongside his partner Pascale de Boysson, Dirk Kinnane, and Bibi Hure
- The Desert of the Tartars (1976)
- Voyage au bout de l'enfer (1978)
- Rouge Baiser (1985)
- Détective (1985)
- D'Annunzio (1987)
- Hiver 54, l'abbé Pierre (1989)
- Etoile (1989)
- Germinal (1993)
- The Great War (1998)
- The Raft of the Medusa (1998)
- Once Upon an Angel (2002)
- By the Pricking of My Thumbs (2005)
- Mon petit doigt m'a dit (2005)
- J'ai toujours rêvé d'être un gangster (2007)
- Le ombre rosse (2009)
- Largo Winch II (2011)
3.2.2. Collaborations with Directors
Terzieff frequently collaborated with influential directors. Beyond Marcel Carné, he worked with Claude Autant-Lara on three films, including Tu ne tueras point in 1961. Another significant collaboration was with Henri-Georges Clouzot on La prisonnière, where Terzieff portrayed an artist manipulator.
3.3. Stage Career
While active in film, Terzieff maintained a deep commitment to the stage, particularly during the 1980s, when he primarily focused on theatre. His significant stage performances include roles in Fall, Another Time, Henry IV, The Dresser, and Philoctetes. He was known for his dedication to challenging and intellectually stimulating theatrical works.
3.4. Directing Career
Beyond his acting, Laurent Terzieff also made significant contributions as a theatre director. His directorial work was recognized with prestigious awards, highlighting his talent in shaping stage productions.
4. Awards and Nominations
Laurent Terzieff received numerous accolades throughout his distinguished career, particularly for his contributions to theatre as both an actor and a director.
4.1. Molière Awards
He was a multiple recipient and nominee of the prestigious Molière Awards, which recognize excellence in French theatre.
| Year | Group | Award | Play | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Molière Awards | Best Director | Fall | Won |
| 1993 | Molière Awards | Best Director | Another Time | Won |
| 2010 | Molière Awards | Best Actor | The Dresser and Philoctetes | Won |
| Year | Group | Award | Play | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Molière Awards | Best Actor | Henry IV | Nominated |
| 1993 | Molière Awards | Best Actor | Another Time | Nominated |
5. Personal Life
Laurent Terzieff's personal life, while largely private, included a significant long-term relationship and a specific final resting place.
5.1. Relationships and Burial
Terzieff was in a long-term partnership with actress Pascale de Boysson, who also appeared with him in the 1975 film Jeu. Following his death, he was interred in the Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris.
6. Death
Laurent Terzieff's passing marked the end of a prolific and influential career in French arts.
6.1. Circumstances of Death
Laurent Terzieff died on July 2, 2010, in Paris, France, at the age of 75. His death was attributed to lung complications.
7. Assessment and Legacy
Laurent Terzieff is remembered as a highly respected and intellectually driven figure in French theatre and cinema. His legacy is characterized by an unwavering commitment to artistic integrity and a preference for challenging, often existentialist or socially conscious, roles over more commercially driven projects. He was known for his intense stage presence and his ability to embody complex characters, making significant contributions to the cultural discourse through his work. His dedication to the stage, particularly during the 1980s, underscored his belief in the transformative power of live performance. Terzieff's multiple Molière Awards, both for acting and directing, attest to his profound impact and enduring influence on French dramatic arts.