Jean Marais (1913-1998) was a French actor, an icon of French cinema, celebrated for his beauty, elegance, and remarkable screen presence. His career is inextricably linked to director Jean Cocteau, who chose him as his muse and directed him in visionary films.

Among his most iconic roles is that in **"Beauty and the Beast" (1946)**, where he brought both the prince and the creature to life. He also starred in other Cocteau masterpieces such as **"Orpheus" (1950)**. Marais excelled in roles as a romantic hero—noble, adventurous, and often tormented—whose physicality and athleticism made him ideal for swashbuckler films, like **"Le Bossu" (The Hunchback, 1959)** and **"Le Capitaine Fracasse" (1961)**.

In the 1960s, he achieved further popularity with the comedic **"Fantômas"** trilogy, alongside Louis de Funès. His figure remains emblematic of a golden age of French cinema, capable of spanning from surreal drama to popular adventure.