Age: 74
male
Christian Clavier is a French actor, screenwriter, film producer and film director. He is the brother of French film director Stéphane Clavier. After his high class studies at the Neuilly Lycée Pasteur—though asserted here and there, he never studied at Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po) —he started his actor career with the comedic theater troupe Splendid, which had hits with films like Les Bronzés font du ski and Le Père Noël est une ordure. His most notable success without the Splendid group, and by far his biggest hit to date, was in the 1993 film les Visiteurs, where he played a character known as Jacquouille la fripouille; the character's cry of "Okkkayyy!!" became a popular exclamation after the movie's success. After les Visiteurs he was a certified star, participating in big-budget films like Astérix et Obélix contre César, Astérix & Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre, and the sequel and remake of Visiteurs. He also played several dramatic roles on television, including M. Thénardier in Les Misérables (2000 television version) and Napoléon in a biographical television film. Clavier has played in notable duos with: Jean Reno in les Visiteurs (the Visitors) and the US remake, Just Visiting, L'Opération Corned-Beef and L'Enquête corse (The Corsican investigation). Gérard Depardieu in Astérix et Obélix (Asterix and Obelix) and Les anges gardiens. He also runs a production company, Ouille Production. He was made Chevalier (Knight) of the Ordre national du Mérite on 13 June 1998, and promoted Officier (Officer) in 2005. He was made Chevalier (Knight) of the Légion d'honneur in 2008. He is a friend of former French président Nicolas Sarkozy, and recently emigrated to England as a result of Francois Hollande's punitive tax policy, mirrored in his Astérix co-star Gérard Depardieu's self-imposed exile to Belgium.
Christian Clavier
Roi Louis XI
for Roi Louis XI in Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1991)
Suggested by fionnoconnor402
Set in 15th century Paris, this narrative revolves around Quasimodo, a misshapen bell-ringer at Notre Dame Cathedral, and his unreciprocated affection for the lovely Roma street dancer, Esmeralda. Quasimodo was brought up by the archdeacon Claude Frollo, who harbors lustful feelings for Esmeralda. When Frollo commands Quasimodo to abduct her, the hunchback is apprehended and subjected to public humiliation. Esmeralda, feeling compassion for him, offers him water while he is bound to the pillory. She captures the attention of Captain Phoebus, with whom she falls in love. Frollo, consumed by jealousy, stabs Phoebus and frames Esmeralda for the act. Consequently, she is arrested and sentenced to death. Quasimodo rescues her from the gallows and provides her refuge in the cathedral. Frollo attempts to claim her, but upon her rejection, he delivers her to face execution. As Esmeralda is escorted to the gallows, Quasimodo descends from Notre Dame and carries her back to the cathedral, temporarily shielding her under the law of sanctuary. However, a band of vagabonds led by Clopin Trouillefou assaults Notre Dame, prompting Quasimodo to defend it by hurling stones and timber at the attackers. The king's men arrive to quell the disturbance, and amidst the turmoil, Frollo manages to sneak Esmeralda out of the cathedral. Frollo makes one final effort to win Esmeralda's affection, but she spurns him once more. In a fit of rage, he turns her over to the authorities. As Esmeralda is hanged, Quasimodo retaliates by pushing Frollo from the cathedral tower to his demise. Quasimodo then vanishes, never to be seen again. Years later, when Esmeralda's tomb is opened, two intertwined skeletons are discovered—one belonging to a hunchback embracing the other.
