Jacques Herlin


Jacques Herlin was a French character actor of stage, film, and television.

Early life and education

Born as Jacques de Jouette in Le Vésinet, France, Jacques Herlin grew up in Toulon and moved to Paris in 1951 where he studied dramatic art for a year in Raymond Girard's class.

Career

Herlin began acting on stage after moving from Toulon to Paris in 1951, mostly in smaller theaters with roles in classic plays, for one to two years. Herlin visited larger theaters, eventually meeting comedian Pierre Fresnay at Théâtre de la Michodière, and signed on to a play with Yvonne Printemps. His stage work continued for more than a decade.
In 1962, Herlin traveled to Italy to work in the play Tueur Sans Gages, and Elio Petri offered him a role, after which he had continuous Cinecittà film work for more than seventeen years. Herlin played the uncredited role of Masoch Club Owner in Petri's The 10th Victim. He also appeared in another uncredited role in Alberto Lattuada's La Mandrágora, having been on-set for only one day. Herlin and Philippe Leroy-Beaulieu were friends and both appeared in the Tinto Brass western Yankee.
Besides French, Italian and English language roles, Herlin also traveled to Germany for film roles, particularly comedies. Although he did not speak the language; he lived with a German girl who coached him using simultaneous translation.
During the 1970s, his roles included a Bank Clerk in Petri's Property Is [No Longer a Theft], and a Magician in the television miniseries Moses the Lawgiver.
In the early 1980s, Herlin moved back to Paris, France after the free-fall decline of Italian cinema. In 1982 his agent offered a role in Umberto Lenzi's Ironmaster, one of Herlin's last Italian film roles. He played Paul Reynaud, the French Prime Minister in the television miniseries The [Winds of War (miniseries)|The Winds of War]. Herlin had a recurring role as Igor in Frankenstein's Aunt.
In the 1990s, Herlin appeared as a Judge on Counterstrike, as Savant in Jefferson in Paris, and as Virgil Baptiste on Julie Lescaut.
During the 2000s, Herlin had a voice role in the French fantasy/comedy Astérix and Obélix: God Save Britannia. That same year he played Marquis de Vaucouleurs in the drama, Farewell, My Queen.
Herlin remained active on stage, film, and television up until his final role as Dominik Silva in Me and Kaminski, released posthumous in 2015.

Death

Herlin died in 2014 at the age of 86.

Filmography

Film

Boulevard - Le garçon de caféThe Girl with the Golden Eyes - Un chauffeur de taxiCarillons sans joie - BenjoubaArsène Lupin contre Arsène Lupin The Day and the Hour Goliath and the Sins of Babylon - Phoenician MerchantThe Whip and the Body - PriestTemple of the White Elephant - British OfficerWhite Voices - The FriarBuffalo Bill, Hero of the Far West - Piano PlayerDon Camillo in Moscow - PerlettiThe Dreamer - MarcelloThe 10th Victim - Masoch Club Manager The Mandrake - Frate PredicatoreSeven Golden Men Strike Again Secret Agent Super Dragon - RossA Maiden for a Prince - Il marchese spagnoloYankee - FilosofoFor a Few Extra Dollars - TraitorPardon, Are You For or Against? - BergeracNon faccio la guerra, faccio l'amore Ballata da un miliardo The Tiger and the Pussycat - MonsignoreSeven Pistols for a Massacre - Horace PimTom Dollar - mr. OsborneMatchless - O-Chin's DoctorThe Stranger - Director of HomeThe Girl and the General - The VeterinaryTwo Faces of the Dollar - MathematicianYour Turn to Die - Actor at recitalThe Sweet Sins of Sexy Susan - Count Dulce' - King of FranceSexy Susan Sins Again - St. LaducCatch As Catch Can - Zoology ProfessorHouse of Pleasure - Ambassador BulakieffWhy Did I Ever Say Yes Twice? - Dr. Pellegrini

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1974Moses the LawgiverMagicianTV miniseries
1983The Winds of WarPaul Reynaud, French Prime MinisterTV miniseries
1987Frankenstein's AuntIgor7 episodes
1990CounterstrikeJudge CardonoEpisode: "Counterstrike (1990 TV series) episodes#ep7|Son with a Gun]"
1996Julie LescautVirgil Baptiste1 episode