André Pousse

André Pousse (20 October 1919 – 9 September 2005) was a noted French actor and, in his youth, also a notable cyclist.

Biography

While primarily known as a leading French actor, André Pousse began his professional career as a cyclist (primarily track). His greatest cycling achievements took place in the infamous Vél d'Hiv (Vélodrome d'Hiver or Winter Velodrome), in Paris, where he won the prestigious "six days of Vél d'Hiv" races from 1942 to 1949. Indeed, Pousse is the record holder in this event, and will remain so as the Vél d'Hiv has since been torn down. The "race," as it was, took place in front of 20,000 spectators and was a major French cultural and sporting event. It lasted six days and nights and, until two-man teams were established, it was apt to land exhausted participants in hospital, as Pousse himself remarked. Alain Delon, who as a child attended the races as an ardent admirer of Pousse, remembers competing with other children for the honor of bringing Pousse his bicycle at the beginning of a race. André Pousse retired from the track in 1950; and later, from 1960, went on to his better known years as an actor in cinema and television. He played mostly gangster roles in police films of the time. For many years, he was the artistic director of the Moulin Rouge in Paris and many other establishments, including the Casino of Lebanon. He also served as the agent of many French actors.

Selected filmography

D'où viens-tu, Johnny? (1963) - M. Franck Ne nous fâchons pas (1966) - Un truand en fuite An Idiot in Paris (1967) - Le chauffeur de taxi (1967) - Albert Roza Max le débonnaire (1967, TV Series) - (segment "De quoi je me mêle") Le Pacha (1968) - Quinquin Leontine (1968) - Fred (1968) - Barnabé A Golden Widow (1969) - Pierre Déricourt de Savignac dit Pierrot le Farceur Le Clan des Siciliens (1969) - Malik Des vacances en or (1969) - Constant Trop petit mon ami (1970) - L'inspecteur Terrell Tumuc Humac (1970) - Bréchet (1971) - Gi Le Drapeau noir flotte sur la marmite (1971) - Balloche Elle cause plus, elle flingue (1972) - Max Un flic (1972) - Marc Albouis Quelques messieurs trop tranquilles (1973) - Gérard (1973) - Milan Au théâtre ce soir (1973, TV Series) - Crochard Profession: Aventuriers (1973) - Le juge (1974) - Charles Laurent Bons baisers... à lundi (1974) - L'automobiliste (uncredited) Flic Story (1975) - Jean-Baptiste Buisson Bons Baisers de Hong Kong (1975) - René Attention les yeux! (1976) - Rotberger Oublie-moi, Mandoline (1976) - Eugène de Charonne Chantons sous l'Occupation (1976, Documentary) - Himself Drôles de Zèbres (1977) - L'homme de mauvais conseil Le Cœur froid (1977) - Le docteur La Septième compagnie au clair de lune (1977) - Lambert (1978, TV Series) - L'inspecteur Bastiani Le Sacrifice (1978, TV Movie) - Sydney Les Égouts du paradis (1979) - Le chauve Le Corbillard de Jules (1982) - M. Lucien Mettez du sel sur la queue de l'oiseau pour l'attraper (1982, TV Movie) - Hubert de Caffagnac Deux heures moins le quart avant Jésus-Christ (1982) - Un centurion Le Privé (1986, TV Series) - Rino Paparoff se dédouble (1988-1990, TV Series) - M. Robert Le Retour de Lemmy Caution (1989, TV Movie) - Le commissaire Schmidt Cluedo (1994-1995, TV Series) - Colonel Moutarde Requiem pour un con damné (1994, Short) Moi j'aime Albert (1996, Short) - Albert En panne (1996, Short) Opération Bugs Bunny (1997, TV Movie) Deux bananes flambées et l'addition (1998, Short) - Lambert L'Âme-sœur (1999) - Archbishop Lacaze (1999) - Le Faucheur Qui mange quoi? (2002, TV Movie) - Etienne (2003, TV Series) - Paul Pontevecchio Le Plein des sens (2004, Short) Qui mange quand? (2004, TV Movie) - Étienne, dit 'Le tatoué' (uncredited) (final film role)

Written works J'balance pas, j'raconte (autobiography with Laurent Chollet) (2005) Histoires sur le pouce (2001) Touchez pas aux souvenirs (1989)