**Charles Vanel (1892-1989)** was a French actor, an iconic figure in cinema for over seventy years. His career, which began in the silent era, spanned the sound era, making him one of the longest-standing and most versatile performers.

He is primarily remembered for his intense performance in Henri-Georges Clouzot's masterpiece, *The Wages of Fear* (1953). In the role of the truck driver Jo, he masterfully embodied human vulnerability and despair in the face of extreme danger. He collaborated again with Clouzot in *Les Diaboliques* (1955), where he played Inspector Fichet, a role that highlighted his ability to portray calm and penetrating authority.

Other notable performances include Jean Valjean in *Les Misérables* (1934) and Fernandel's father in *The Cow and I* (1959). His style was characterized by an imposing presence, a penetrating gaze, and the ability to portray complex characters, often afflicted by moral dilemmas or a profound existential weariness, always imbuing them with gravitas and authenticity.