Who Is François Truffaut? Age, Biography, and Wiki
François Truffaut was born on February 6, 1932, in Paris, France, and he passed away on October 21, 1984. He was a leading figure in the French New Wave cinema movement, known for his distinct storytelling and innovative filmmaking techniques. Truffaut made over 20 films throughout his career, including classics like "The 400 Blows," "Jules and Jim," and "Day for Night." His impact on cinema continues to be felt today, influencing countless filmmakers around the globe.
As of 2025, Truffaut would have been 93 years old. While he is not with us today, his artistry and contributions to film remain immortalized through his extensive body of work.
| Occupation | Film Producer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 6, 1932 |
| Age | 52 Years |
| Birth Place | Paris, France |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | France |
| Date of death | 21 October, 1984 |
| Died Place | Neuilly-sur-Seine, France |
Popularity
François Truffaut's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Although concrete details about François Truffaut's physical statistics have not been widely publicized, he was known for his charismatic presence. Truffaut stood at approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall (173 cm), with a slender build typical of many artists of his era.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
François Truffaut was married twice. His first marriage was to Madeleine Morgenstern in 1957, although the couple divorced in 1965. He later married actress Françoise Dorléac, who sadly passed away in a tragic accident. Throughout his life, Truffaut had numerous romantic relationships, some of which inspired his films. His most notable romantic entanglement was with actress Catherine Deneuve, with whom he collaborated on multiple projects. As such, while there was no definitive long-term companion after Dorléac, Truffaut's relationships significantly impacted his work and creative expression.
His mother was Janine de Montferrand. His mother's future husband, Roland Truffaut, accepted him as an adopted son and gave him his surname. He was passed around to live with various nannies and his grandmother for a number of years. His grandmother instilled in him her love of books and music.
He lived with her until her death, when Truffaut was eight years old. It was only after her death that he lived with his parents. Truffaut's biological father's identity is unknown, but a private detective agency in 1968 revealed that its inquiry into the matter led to a Roland Levy, a Jewish dentist from Bayonne.
Truffaut's mother's family disputed the finding but Truffaut believed and embraced it.
Net Worth and Salary
Although François Truffaut's net worth at the time of his passing was estimated to be around $20 million, it is important to note that his financial legacy has likely grown since then through film royalties and continued interest in his work. Today, his films are considered classics, creating ongoing revenue through re-releases, streaming rights, and critical retrospectives.
Career, Business, and Investments
François Truffaut’s career spanned over three decades, during which he made a staggering impact on world cinema. Known for his emphasis on character development and relationships, Truffaut's work often explored themes of love and existentialism. He was not only a director but also a screenwriter, producer, and film critic.
Along with his film work, Truffaut was involved in the launch of the production company Les Films du Carrosse, which produced many of his significant projects. His dedication to cinema also led him to write extensively about films, further influencing the industry.
Truffaut joined the French Army in 1950, aged 18, but spent the next two years trying to escape. He was arrested for attempting to desert the army and incarcerated in military prison. Bazin used his political contacts to get Truffaut released and set him up with a job at his new film magazine, Cahiers du Cinéma.
Social Network
Though Truffaut did not exist in the social media era as we know it today, he was a prominent figure in film circles and literature, often engaging with fellow filmmakers, critics, and enthusiasts through interviews and film festivals. Truffaut's connection with the French intelligentsia positioned him as a venerated authority in both cinema and culture.
François Roland Truffaut (, ; ; 6 February 1932 – 21 October 1984) was a French filmmaker, actor, and critic. He is widely regarded as one of the founders of the French New Wave.
He came under the tutelage of film critic Andre Bazin as a young man and was hired to write for Bazin's Cahiers du Cinéma, where he became a proponent of the auteur theory, which posits that a film's director is its true author.
The 400 Blows (1959), starring Jean-Pierre Léaud as Truffaut's alter-ego Antoine Doinel, was a defining film of the New Wave. Truffaut supplied the story for another milestone of the movement, Breathless (1960), directed by his Cahiers colleague Jean-Luc Godard.
Education
François Truffaut's formal education in cinema was limited; he did not attend film school. Instead, he honed his skills through practical experience and immersion in the film industry. Initially, he worked as a film critic for the influential magazine "Cahiers du cinéma," where he developed his cinematic philosophy and understanding. His intuitive grasp of storytelling and character dynamics led him to become one of the most celebrated directors in film history.
Truffaut often stayed with friends and tried to be out of the house as much as possible. He knew Robert Lachenay from childhood, and they were lifelong best friends. Lachenay was the inspiration for the character René Bigey in The 400 Blows and worked as an assistant on some of Truffaut's films.
Cinema offered Truffaut the greatest escape from an unsatisfying home life. He was eight years old when he saw his first movie, Abel Gance's Paradis Perdu (Paradise Lost, 1939), beginning his obsession. He frequently skipped school and sneaked into theaters because he lacked the money for admission.
At age eleven, he read Émile Zola's Thérèse Raquin (1868), which inspired him to become a novelist. After being expelled from several schools, at age 14 he decided to become self-taught. Two of his academic goals were to watch three movies a day and read three books a week.
