Jacques Bergerac

Jacques Bergerac had a brief career in Hollywood that ran from 1954 to 1969, before he left the industry to become the head of Revlon's Paris division. He led a truly cosmopolitan existence as an actor, beginning with his first film role: a supporting part in the British mystery "Twist of Fate." The film's star, Ginger Rogers--the legendary actress who was Fred Astaire's frequent dance partner/love interest--made Bergerac her fourth husband. In 1957, Bergerac appeared in "Les Girls," George Cukor's musical comedy, starring Gene Kelly and Mitzi Gaynor, also winning the Golden Globe for Foreign Newcomer Award that same year.

In 1958, Bergerac starred in the French adventure movie "Un homme se penche sur son passé" and then appeared with fellow French natives Leslie Caron and Maurice Chevalier in Vincente Minelli's musical romantic comedy "Gigi," which dominated the 1959 Academy Awards, including Best Picture honors. In 1962, Bergerac co-starred with Gordon Mitchell in the Italian action drama "Fury of Achilles," and in 1965, he returned to Italy to make the comedy "Hard Time for Princes," co-starring with Joan Collins. On television, Bergerac was reduced to strictly character actor status, with initial appearances on several theater programs and then various comedies and dramas, making his longest run--relatively, at just six episodes--on the crime drama "77 Sunset Strip," in 1969.