Comedian Michael Lonsdale dies aged 89

Michael Lonsdale, September 21, 2020. Fred DUFOUR / AFP

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Michael Lonsdale leaves behind a huge career in both film and theater.

On the big screen, he has filmed with Michel Deville, Gérard Oury, Jean-Pierre Mocky, François Truffaut among others.

From the 1970s, he also starred in major productions such as James Bond, Moonraker, or Le nom de la rose by Jean-Jacques Annaud.

In the theater he had played Beckett, Ionesco and many others.

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From a British father and a French mother, Michael Lonsdale was recognizable among a thousand.

Long hair, white beard, inimitable tone of voice and imposing stature made his singularity. 

For more than sixty years, he has played demanding roles in the service of highly talented filmmakers and authors including François Truffaut, Marguerite Duras, Jacques Rivette and Jean Eustache.

In 2010, it was the consecration for his role in 

by Xavier Beauvois, which retraces the history and assassination of the monks of Tibhirine in Algeria.

There he is brother Luc and obtains for this role a César for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

Michael Lonsdale regularly spoke of his Christian faith.

Baptized at 22, he is also the author of ten books in which he talks about his relationship with God, 

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