Michel Serrault

This celebrated, prolific (over 100 films in 40 years) French actor of both comedy and drama injected an Everyman quality into numerous put-upon comic parts since the 1950s, but has also proved his mettle in a wide array of dramatic roles. The latter often saw him projecting jealousy or the inability to have what one wants from life. Michel Serrault's films have almost entirely been French-made, a situation which might have limited his international appeal, but in 1978 he co-starred in "La Cage aux folles," a farce that went on to break all box-office records for a foreign language film to that date. The actor delivered a brilliant star turn as Albin/Zaza, the temperamental, middle-aged female impersonator, whose volatile yet loving relationship with his longtime companion is put to the test when they must pose as a "normal" family to please the future in-laws of his lover's son. The role earned Serrault the first of his three Best Actor Cesar Awards and he reprised the character in two sequels. (The film also served as the basis for a Broadway musical and Mike Nichols' 1996 Americanized remake, "The Birdcage," with Nathan Lane in Serrault's role).