Bernard Blier (1916-1989) was a prolific and versatile French actor, an icon of French cinema for nearly five decades. He was known for his ability to embody common yet unforgettable characters: from the bourgeois to the man of law, from the clerk to the provincial gangster. Often with a gruff yet sly demeanor, he masterfully blended drama and comedy.

Among his most celebrated roles are Inspector Javert in *Les Misérables* (1958), the swindler in *Le cave se rebiffe* (1961), the unsettling protagonist in *Le Septième Juré* (1962), and his forays into the darker cinema of *Série noire* (1979) or *Buffet Froid* (1979). Blier also appeared in numerous Italian productions, collaborating with directors such as Monicelli and Risi. His filmography includes over 150 titles, making him one of the greatest character actors in French cinema.