French actor Philippe Noiret, who became known worldwide for his role as the village projectionist in 1988's beloved 'Cinema Paradiso', died yesterday after a long battle with cancer, aged 76.
He appeared in more than 125 films and won two Best Actor Cesar Awards for his roles in Robert Enrico's 'Le Vieux Fusil' (1976) and the Bertrand Tavernier-directed 'La Vie Et Rien D'Autre' (1990).
Noiret started his career in 1956 in Agnes Varda's film 'La Pointe Courte'.
French Prime Minister Dominique De Villepin paid tribute to Noiret, saying: "Through his voice, his allure, his panache, Philippe Noiret knew how to seize and express something within the French soul."
"The silhouette and the voice, so tender and familiar, will be missed by all."
