1. – Gérard Philipe, Juliette ou La clef des songes/Juliette or Key of Dreams, France, 1951. He lost his main role when co-star Leslie Caron was spirited away by Gene Kelly for An American In Paris (on Roger Vadim’s advice). The book’s writer, Jacques Viot, wrote an extra scene for Lessafre as a Legionnaire (“it fitted me like a glove”), and,Marcel Carné agreed. The director icon had first met Lesaffre when he interrupted a take of his old Marine mate Jean Gabin – “Jean, oh! Jean, c’est moi Lesaffre!” – while crashing the 1950 shooting of La Marie du port at Joinville studios. Now the PT teacher became an actor – and Carnés lover for many years (and films).
Birth year: 1927Death year: 2009Other name: Casting Calls: 1