Michael Lonsdale

Michael Edward Lonsdale Crouch, widely known as Michael Lonsdale, and sometimes as Michel Lonsdale, was a profound French and British actor, author, and prominent figure in the world of cinema. Born on 24 May 1931, his life was nothing short of eventful. He starred in over 180 films and television shows and penned ten books in his career, making his contributions to arts and entertainment significant and far-reaching. Michael Lonsdale is most renowned for his roles as the villain Hugo Drax in the 1979 James Bond film Moonraker, the detective Claude Lebel in The Day of the Jackal, The Abbot in The Name of the Rose, and Dupont d'Ivry in The Remains of the Day. His diverse acting skills added an indelible edge to his performances. He was not only bilingual but appeared in both English-language and French-language productions, strengthening his widespread audience. Lonsdale was rewarded with a César Award for Best Supporting Actor for his remarkable work in Of Gods and Men in February 2011. His death on 21 September 2020 in Paris, marked the passing of a truly unique star whose body of work continues to inspire and entertain globally.