Pierre Richard Maurice Charles Leopold Defays, a renowned French comedian, was born into an affluent family, boasting an impressive array of middle names. Initially, he honed his craft at the Paris Music Hall, making small appearances in films throughout the 1960s. However, it was in the 1970s that Richard's genius truly flourished, as he transitioned to film and achieved unparalleled success.
As a director and co-writer, Richard's slapstick comedies often featured characters with an endearingly innocent persona, coupled with his innate talent for physical comedy. This winning combination has endeared him to audiences for nearly four decades. His outstanding work in "Distracted" (1970) and "The Troubles of Alfred" (1972) garnered immediate recognition, paving the way for the international crossover hit "The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe" (1972). In this film, Richard played a naive, innocent concert musician who, by chance, becomes a superspy on a top-secret mission.
Throughout his career, Richard has collaborated with several notable individuals, including actor/producer/director Yves Robert in the 1960s and 1970s, and writer/director Francis Veber and actor Gérard Depardieu in the 1980s. This potent combination resulted in the creation of several comedy classics, including "Very Happy Alexander" (1968),"The Return of the Tall Blond Man" (1974),"La Chèvre" (1981),"The ComDads" (1983),and "The Fugitives" (1986).
Many of Richard's classic comedies, such as "The Toy" (1976),have been remade and imitated in Hollywood, although most pale in comparison to the originals.
