Claude Dauphin

Born into a family of French music hall entertainers, Claude Dauphin made his own entree into the theatrical world as a set designer. The prematurely greying Dauphin turned to acting in the late 1920s, making his first film in 1930. Dauphin nearly always managed to elevate his material with his shameless scene-stealing and Boulevardier charm. Broadway audiences were regaled by Dauphin in the original stage version of The Happy Time. In 1955, Dauphin co-starred with Jean Pierre Aumont in the European-filmed TV series Paris Precinct; his later television work included several sparkling guest appearance on the late-night Merv Griffin Show. The brother of actor Jean Nohain, Dauphin was married three times, to actresses Rosine Dearean, Maria Mauban, and Norma Eberhardt. Claude Dauphin's last film was the Norman Rosemont made-for-TV production Les Miserables (1978).

~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide