Jean Bouise

A French character actor with distinctive facial features, Jean Bouise was a talented supporting player who often worked in the films of Luc Besson. He founded the theater troupe Théâtre de la Cité in the '50s and began his acting career with an appearance in the 1961 TV movie "Flore et Blanchflore." Bouise gained attention for a lead role in the 1963 film "El Otro Cristóbal," which screened at Cannes, and had the title role in a TV production of the Alfred Jarry play "Ubu roi." A supporting role in the Costa-Gavras political thriller "Z" raised his profile significantly and led to other parts with renowned directors. He worked with director Jacques Rivette on two films and had a principal role in the 1975 war drama"The Old Gun" with Romy Schneider and Philippe Noiret, earning Bouise a best actor French César Award nomination. He received another César nomination two years later for his performance in the crime drama "Judge Fayard Called the Sheriff" before winning on his third attempt for the soccer-themed film "Coup de tête" (or "Hothead") in 1979. He ended his career with several collaborations with director Luc Besson, including the 1985 Paris Metro drama, "Subway," and his final film, the crime drama "La Femme Nikita."