Paul Meurisse (1912-1989) was a French actor with an enigmatic charisma. Known for his imposing presence and deep voice, he embodied a gallery of complex and often ambiguous characters, characterized by coldness, elegance, and subtle cynicism.

His film career took off in the 1940s, but reached its peak in the 1950s and 1960s. He is best remembered for the iconic role of the perfidious Michel Delasalle in Henri-Georges Clouzot's *Les Diaboliques* (1955), which cemented his image as a manipulative man.

He also shone under the direction of Jean-Pierre Melville, particularly as the glacial investigator Silien in *Le Doulos* (1962), confirming his ability to portray stoic figures. Other significant roles include those in *L'Armée des ombres* (1969) and the comedic series *Le Monocle*, where he managed to infuse humor into his typical aristocratic detachment. Meurisse was the archetype of the sophisticated anti-hero, often a policeman or a criminal, always with an aura of mystery.