Jacques Marin (September 9, 1919 – January 10, 2001) was a beloved French character actor who, with his instantly recognizable features and fluency in English, became a familiar and welcome face in a host of major American and British films.
Marin often played the quintessential Frenchman—inspectors, waiters, and officials—bringing a touch of Gallic charm and authenticity to every role. He is best known to international audiences for his memorable supporting parts in several classic films. He played the determined Inspector Edouard Grandpierre in the romantic thriller Charade (1963), the loyal stationmaster in the WWII epic The Train (1964), and a contact for Dustin Hoffman in the suspense classic Marathon Man (1976).
He was also a favorite of the Walt Disney Studios, appearing as the heroic Captain Brieux in the adventure film The Island at the Top of the World (1974) and as the flustered Inspector Bouchet in the comedy Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977). His prolific career in both European and American productions made him one of France’s most successful and recognizable cinematic exports.
