Lelouch, Chéreau, Haneke … He worked with the greatest directors: a major figure in French cinema and theater, the actor with 120 films, Jean-Louis Trintignant died Friday at the age of 91. He was also a “holy pilot” rally, says Bernard Darniche
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A great actor, but also a real rally driver. “He had a hell of a drive”, recalls Bernard Darniche, former rally driver and partner of Jean-Louis Trintignant. The actor passed away on Friday at the age of 91. Multi-awarded during his film and theater career, he was also passionate about car racing. He had notably participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Monte Carlo Rally. A pilot “applied, attentive, with the will to do well, intellectually organized”, describes his ex sidekick. The two men won the 24 Hours of Chamonix together, an ice race won at the wheel of “the famous Stratos”.
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“He was extremely precise, asking questions all the time”adds the former rally driver. “He was a fascinating man in his simplicity as he performed ultra-powerful roles in cinema”, he adds. On a circuit there is no question of playing a role, “he put all his intelligence. There, he was not in an actor’s role, he was the pilot”remembers Benard Darniche.
A passion shared in the family since three of his uncles were also speed drivers, one of them, Maurice Trintignant, having died during a Formula 1 race. “The automotive world welcomed him tremendously because he was a real man who didn’t try to cheat, he wasn’t there to show off”confides Bernard Darniche, remembering someone “simple, who did not take himself for a star”. “His gaze, his voice, everything was power”greets his former speed partner.