**Michel Auclair (1922–1988)** was a French actor known for his long and versatile film career. He debuted at a very young age, quickly establishing himself as one of the most promising faces of post-war French cinema.

His fame is primarily linked to the intense and romantic roles he played for Jean Cocteau: the cursed Patrice in *L'Éternel Retour* (1943) and the enchanted prince in *La Belle et la Bête* (1946). Other significant performances include *Le Diable au corps* (1947), Henri-Georges Clouzot's *Manon* (1949), and *Rendez-vous de juillet* (1949).

Auclair excelled at portraying sensitive, complex, and often tormented characters in his youth, later evolving towards more mature, enigmatic, or authoritarian roles. His screen presence was characterized by a subtle elegance and remarkable psychological depth.