Fernandel - French actor - comic. The real name - Fernand Joseph Desire Contandin. He was born in France in Marseilles of the 8-th of May, 1903. The 26-th of February, 1971 Fernandel did not become, he is buried in Paris.

Actor's career Fernandel began in troupe of the vagrant actors, though before he was the employee of one of the Marseilles banks. Two years he has driven about on the south of France, playing in simple vaudevilles, farces, operettes. For Fernandel in troupe was fixed by role first comic actors. In a province he was a success, and after returning from tour to him was supplied promothion on the Marseilles stage. But to theatre Fernandel resolutely has prefered a music-hall. There he sang comic songs, for which itself composed words and melody.

In cinema Fernandel first time was appeared in 1930 in film "Best nurse". Fernandel played in cinema very much. More than in 150!!! films he has played. Film " Un carnet de bal"("The Dance Card" - Directed by Julien Duvivier) on the Venetian festival in 1937 has received a prize "the best foreign film". Three films Fernandel has made itself:

• "Adhemar ou le jouet de la fatalite" (1951)
• "Adrien" (1943)
• "Simplet" (1942)

In 1951 Fernandel played in film "Le Petit monde de Don Camillo" ("The Little World of Don Camillo") which has put a series from six films about village priest Don Camillo, went on during nineteen years. Last film "Don Camillo VI" already has left on screens after death of Fernandel.

In 1963 Fernandel with Jean Gabin has created own film-firm "GAFER" (GAFER - Gabin and Fernandel), which purpose was only commercial success.

In the biography of Fernandel the materials taken from the book were used: "Comic actors of the world screen" Publishing house "Art" Moscow 1966.
P.S. Sorry, for my poor English... :-(
P.S.S. More full biography you can find in russian version...