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Etienne Girardot

Etienne Girardot (1856–1939) was an Anglo-French character actor, known for his roles as eccentric and nervous characters in 1930s American cinema. Born in London to French parents, he began his career on the stage before moving to Hollywood with the advent of sound. His slender figure and distinctive acting style made him perfect for portraying elderly, fussy, and often confused men. Among his most celebrated performances are that of the bizarre impresario Oliver Webb in Howard Hawks' *Twentieth Century* (1934) and the accountant Mr. Seaver in *The Whole Town's Talking* (1935). He also appeared in several films of the Philo Vance detective series, such as *The Dragon Murder Case* (1934). Although he received no formal awards, his contribution as a prolific supporting actor is widely recognized, having defined a comedic and memorable archetype in classic Hollywood until his death.

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