French legendary actor, formerly a revue and operetta singer, born 17 May 1904 in Paris, France, son of
Ferdinand Gabin.
With
Fernandel,
Bourvil and
Louis De Funès, he's part of the French actors having attracted the greatest number of spectators in the cinemas.
He played mainly gangsters or police officers with other famous actors for the most important film directors during the interwar period such as
Julien Duvivier,
Jean Renoir or
Marcel Carné.
He has also introduced on stage some new talents.
Lino Ventura owes him his first role in the film
Touchez pas au grisbi in 1954.
After 1945, he's nicknamed the pasha cause of his righteousness and his imposing physics. He died 15 November 1976 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.