Jean-Louis Richard (Paris, May 19, 1927 – Paris, June 3, 2012) was a French actor, screenwriter, and director. A multifaceted figure associated with the French New Wave, he is best known for his prolific collaboration as a screenwriter with François Truffaut, with whom he co-wrote masterpieces such as *The Soft Skin* (1964), *Fahrenheit 451* (1966), *The Bride Wore Black* (1968), and *The Last Metro* (1980). For the latter film, he and Truffaut won the César Award for Best Screenplay in 1981. His writing skills also earned him an Academy Award nomination in 1974 for the original screenplay of *Day for Night*, again alongside the celebrated director. As a director, he directed Jeanne Moreau, his wife from 1949 to 1951, in *Mata Hari, Agent H21* (1964). His acting career included performances in over fifty films, often in supporting but incisive roles, appearing in works such as *The Professional* (1981) and *The Last Metro*.