Michel Simon, the son of a skilled sausage-maker, was conscripted into the Swiss Army at the outbreak of World War I, however, his military career was short-lived due to a combination of tuberculosis and his rebellious nature, which led to his dismissal.
Before finding his calling as a stage actor, Simon dabbled in various occupations, including boxing, photography, general handyman work, and even right-wing anarchism. He eventually settled on a career in the performing arts, starting out in Geneva in 1920.
As his reputation grew, Simon made the move to Paris in 1923, where he began to make a name for himself in the city's thriving theatrical scene. His breakthrough on the big screen came in 1925, the same year he first portrayed the iconic character Boudu on stage.
With the advent of sound, Simon solidified his position as one of France's most beloved character actors, collaborating with renowned directors such as Jean Renoir, Jean Vigo, and Marcel Carné on a string of critically acclaimed films, including The Bitch, Boudu Saved from Drowning, L'Atalante, Port of Shadows, and Bizarre, Bizarre.
However, Simon's career began to slow down in the 1950s, following an accident involving makeup dye that left him with partial paralysis of his body and face. Despite this setback, he continued to work in film right up until his passing in 1975.
