François Périer (1919-2002) was one of the most representative post-war French actors, renowned for his long and versatile film career. He stood out for his ability to portray complex characters, often ambiguous or authoritarian, with a measured yet incisive performance.

His most iconic roles include the melancholic Diego in Marcel Carné's *Les Portes de la nuit* (1946) and his unforgettable collaborations with Jean-Pierre Melville: the police inspector in *Le Samouraï* (1967) and Santi, the nightclub manager, in *Le Cercle rouge* (1970). Equally memorable is his portrayal of the Prosecutor in Costa-Gavras's political thriller *Z* (1969).

His elegance, subtlety, and ability to convey the psychology of his characters made him a respected and recognizable face of French auteur cinema.