Jacques Perrin began his acting career as a romantic hero, showcasing his beauty and talent in the 1961 film "Girl with a Suitcase" alongside the captivating Claudia Cardinale. His impressive performance caught the attention of director Valerio Zurlini, who subsequently engaged him for his 1962 film "Family Diary", where Perrin played the role of Marcello Mastroianni's brother.
Perrin's long-standing collaboration with director Costa-Gavras commenced with the 1965 film "The Sleeping Car Murder", followed by "Un uomo a metà" in 1966, in which he portrayed the sensible heroes. His notable work with Costa-Gavras continued with the 1969 film "Z", in which he played a main part and also served as a producer.
Throughout his illustrious career, Perrin has appeared in numerous iconic romantic films, including those directed by Jacques Demy, alongside the renowned Catherine Deneuve. He has also been involved in social-critical movies, such as "Home Sweet Home" (1973),where he co-starred with Claude Jade and co-produced the film alongside his Reggane Productions.
One of Perrin's most memorable later roles is that of the adult Salvatore, a movie director, in the 1988 film "Cinema Paradiso". He also played the older Thomas in the 2001 film "Brotherhood of the Wolf".