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Fernandel

Fernandel

Actor, also producer · Died February 26, 1971, aged 67 · Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France

Fernand Joseph Désiré Contandin (8 May 1903 – 26 February 1971), better known as Fernandel, was a French actor and singer. Born in Marseille, France, to Désirée Bedouin and Denis Contandin, originating in Perosa Argentina, an Occitan town located in the province of Turin. He was a comedy star who first gained popularity in French vaudeville, operettas, and music-hall revues. His stage name originated from his marriage to Henriette Manse, the sister of his best friend and frequent cinematic collaborator Jean Manse. So attentive was he to his wife that his mother-in-law amusingly referred to him as Fernand d'elle ("Fernand of her"). (Wikipedia)

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 8, 1903
Died
February 26, 1971 (aged 67)
From
Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
26 on MovieCove · 151 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 48% in 30 days

What are Fernandel's films like?

Across their 25 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy20 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
38%
Morality
21%
Society
18%
Self
12%
Power
9%
Survival
2%
Deception7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 25 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 21 · Serious 3 · Dark 1

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 15 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 1

Gentle: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their gentle movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 17 · Charged 7 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 22 · Shifting 2 · Whiplash 1

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 16

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 21 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 25 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

25 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 19 of 25 analyzed roles.

Hero
19 of 25
Trickster
3 of 25
Ally
1 of 25
Mentor
1 of 25
Shapeshifter
1 of 25
Show the 25 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
17
Joyful
14
Tense
6
Absurd
6
Romantic
3
Other
8

How their films linger

Feel-good21 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy18
  • Bittersweet3
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Fernandel's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 1 of their 26 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, on Tubi (1).

Subscription and free streaming for Fernandel's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

151 credits, 26 with a MovieCove page; 9 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Le Petit Monde de Fernandel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • Fernandel c'est moi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Heinz Rühmann: Kleiner Mann ganz groß(1994)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Le Chat(1971)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Happy He Who Like Ulysses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Antonin

  • Stasera Fernandel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 7 episodes · as Monsieur Fernand

  • L'homme à la Buick(1967)

    Producer · as Armand Favrot

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Pasha(1968)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • L'Amateur (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 7 episodes · as Fernand

  • Father's Trip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Quantin, Jura farmer

  • Your Money or Your Life(1966)

    as Charles Migue

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Il compagno Don Camillo(1965)

    as Don Camillo Tarocci

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • That Tender Age (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Adolphe Lartigue

  • Relax Yourself Darling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as François Faustin

  • My Wife's Husband(1963)

    as Fernand Jouvin

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Good King Dagobert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as M. Pelletan / Le roi Dagobert

  • Blague dans le coin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Jeff Burlington

  • The Trip to Biarritz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Guillaume Dodut

  • The Changing of the Guard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Attilio Capellaro

  • The Devil and the Ten Commandments(1962)

    as Dieu / God

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Assassin in the Phonebook (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Albert Rimond

  • Dynamite Jack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Dynamite Jack / Antoine Espérandieu

  • The Last Judgment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as The widower

  • Don Camillo monsignore... ma non troppo(1961)

    as Don Camillo Tarocci

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Cocagne (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Marc-Antoine

  • Crésus(1960)

    as Crésus

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Boss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Justin Migonnet, professor of philosophy in Arles

  • The Cow and I(1959)

    as Charles Bailly

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • The Woman's Confidant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Giuliano Goberti

  • Gangster Boss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Antoine Venturen

  • Life as a Couple(1958)

    as Marcel Caboufigue

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Law Is the Law(1958)

    as Ferdinand Pastorelli

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Les Vignes du Seigneur (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Henri Levrier, l'ami d'Hubert, producteur de champagne

  • Paris Holiday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Fernydel

  • Easiest Profession (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Baptistin Lachaud aka 'Tistin'

  • Sénéchal the Magnificent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as François, Lucien Sénéchal

  • The Man in the Raincoat(1957)

    as Albert Constantin

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Virtuous Bigamist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Paul Verdier

  • Honoré de Marseille (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Honoris, le guerrier grec, Honorius, le romain, Honoré maître tailleur à Marseille

  • Around the World in 80 Days(1956)

    as French Coachman

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Don Juan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Sganarelle / Falso Don Juan

  • Fernandel the Dressmaker(1956)

    as Fernand Vignard

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Don Camillo e l'on. Peppone(1955)

    as Don Camillo Tarocci

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Spring, Autumn and Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Fernand "Noël" Sarrazin, nougatier

  • Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves(1954)

    as Ali Baba

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Sheep Has Five Legs(1954)

    as Edouard de Saint-Forget

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Mademoiselle Nitouche (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Célestin / Floridor

  • The Most Wanted Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Joe Calvet

  • The Return of Don Camillo(1953)

    as Don Camillo Tarocci

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Carnival (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Dardamelle

  • The Wild Oat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Félicien Hébrard, Valorgue baker

  • Forbidden Fruit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Dr. Charles Pellegrin

  • French Touch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Mario Marius

  • The Little World of Don Camillo(1952)

    as Don Camillo Tarocci

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Red Inn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as The Monk

  • The Hunting Ground (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Urbain Coindet, paysan et conseiller municipal

  • Adhémar or the Toy of Destiny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Director · as Adhémar Pomme

  • The Sleepwalker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Victor Boniface

  • Topaze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Albert Topaze

  • Caught in the Foreign Legion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Luc, doorman of the "Miramar"

  • Three Sinners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Noël Annequin

  • Tu m'as sauvé la vie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Fortuné Richard

  • Three Feet in a Bed(1950)

    as Casimir

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • I'm in the Revue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Philippe, devout house painter

  • We Request an Assassin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Bob

  • The Heroic Mr. Boniface (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Boniface

  • The Cupboard Was Bare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Alfred Puc

  • Si ça peut vous faire plaisir (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Martial Gonfaron

  • Emile the African (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Emile Boulard

  • Escale au soleil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Guide

  • Irma la voyante (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Irma / Le client

  • Rooster Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Tulipe Barbaroux, ouvrier imprimeur

  • Pétrus(1946)

    as Pétrus

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • L'Aventure de Cabassou (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Cabassou

  • Naïs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Toine

  • St. Val's Mystery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Désiré Le Sec

  • Hoboes in Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Pons

  • Adrien (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    Director · as Adrien Moulinet

  • Love Around the Clock (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Antonin

  • Don't Shout it from the Rooftops (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Vincent Fleuret

  • A Dog's Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Gustave Bourdillon

  • The Lucky Star (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Auguste

  • Simple-Minded (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    Director · as Simplet, 'le fada de Miéjour'

  • The Suitors Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Antoine Valoisir

  • The Italian Straw Hat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Fadinard

  • The Acrobat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Ernest Sauce

  • Little Nothings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Astier

  • The Wonderful Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as le berger

  • The Well-Digger's Daughter(1940)

    as Félipe Rambert

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Monsieur Hector (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Hector

  • The Mondesir Heir (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Bien-Aimé, le facteur, le baron de Mondésir et ses aïeux

  • Fric-Frac(1939)

    as Marcel

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Berlingot and Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as François Arnaud

  • The Five Cents of Lavarede (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Armand Lavarède

  • Raphaël le tatoué (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Modeste Manosque

  • Ernest the Rebel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Ernest Pic

  • Tricoche and Cacolet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Tricoche

  • Barnabé (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Barnabé

  • Heartbeat(1938)

    as Irénée Fabre, 'le Schpountz'

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Hercule (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Hercule Maffre

  • Harvest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Urbain Gedemus

  • The Kings of Sport (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Acteur

  • Life Dances On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Fabien Coutissol

  • Ignace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Ignace Boitaclou, jeune paysan, ordonnance du colonel

  • The Smart People of the 11th (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as The orderly Patard

  • Francis the First (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Honorin

  • Josette (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Albert Durandal

  • One of the Legion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Fernand Espitalion

  • Les Gaîtés de la finance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Marivol Lambinet

  • Une histoire pétillante (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    Actor

  • Jim the Crook (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Moluchet

  • Ferdinand the Roisterer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Ferdinand Piat

  • The Lafleur Cavalryman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Fernand Lafleur

  • I Have an Idea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Un passant dans la rue (uncredited)

  • The Free Trade Hotel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Boulot, le garçon d'étage

  • Angele (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Saturnin

  • Skylark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Michelet

  • Navy Blue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Lafraise

  • Le Chéri de sa concierge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Actor

  • The Eight-Forty-Seven Train (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Croquebol

  • A Night of Madness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Fernand

  • The Amorous Garrison (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Frédéric, rider

  • Maruche (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Maruche

  • The Bread Peddler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Billenbuis

  • Love and Cool Water (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Eloi, le chauffeur

  • La Terreur de la pampa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Actor

  • The Orderly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Etienne

  • Le Gros Lot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Actor

  • The Rooster of the Regiment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Medard

  • L'Ordonnance malgré lui (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Actor

  • Le Jugement de minuit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Sam Hackitt

  • Ça colle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Actor

  • Lidoire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Lidoire

  • Un homme sans nom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    Actor

  • Fun in the Barracks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Vanderague

  • No Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Casimir

  • Vive la classe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    Actor

  • Lilac (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as le garçon d'honneur

  • Par habitude (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    Actor

  • He (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Isidore

  • Sailor's Song (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    Actor

  • Night attack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as L'amant

  • Pas un mot à ma femme (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    Actor

  • The Darling of Paris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Ficelle

  • The End Combine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Joseph, le valet de chambre

  • Baby's Laxative (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Truchet

  • Bric a Brac and Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Fernand

  • Black and White (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Le groom

  • The best hostess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    as Lucien Pivoine

  • I have something to tell you (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    as l'amant qui s'est trompé d'étage

  • Fernandel 3 films (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 149 titles, 148 of them dated from 1930 to 2020; peak year 1962.

Biggest box office

The Return of Don Camillo (1953)

$128K worldwide

Highest rated

The Little World of Don Camillo (1952)

Midcredits 94th

Most popular right now

Pasha (1968)

Film career

19302020

Peak 1962 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1931Screen debut· Baby's Laxative
  • 1934First top-billed film· Angele
  • 1952Career best· The Little World of Don Camillo

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting148 of 149: 145 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score64thDirecting3 of 149: 0 only directing, 3 with another roleProducing1 of 149: 1 only producing, 0 with another role

149 titles, 3 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1930s59 · acting1940s27 · 27 acting · 2 crew1950s37 · 37 acting · 1 crew1960s21 · acting1970s2 · 1 acting · 1 crew2000s1 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 1st · top billed in 69% of 26 roles
31515661

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Fernandel's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 71st percentile, the median of all 26; across their 25 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 72nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

72ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Approval · how many liked their films

71stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Reach · how many have seen their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Midcredits score across 26 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up12
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 26 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed3

Most divisive · actor

Heinz Rühmann: Kleiner Mann ganz groß (1994)

55th percentile spread · 20% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Little World of Don Camillo (1952)

Midcredits 94th · 83% liked

Reviewers score the acting 77/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 84, detractors 51. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Fernandel work with?

People who share at least 2 of Fernandel's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; René Barjavel shares the most, 7.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers