Louis de Funès was a French actor born in 1914 who became a major star later in life. He starred in over 140 films, most notably the Gendarme series. De Funès showed an early talent for comedy and began his career in theater before breaking into film in his late 40s. He was a hugely popular actor in France, winning numerous awards, and was known for his physical comedy skills. De Funès worked until his death from a heart attack in 1983 at age 69.