Michel Constantin
Known for Acting · 56 credits
- Born
- 1924-07-13
- Died
- 2003-08-29
- Place of birth
- Boulogne-Billancourt, Hauts-de-Seine, France
- Also known as
- Constantin Hokloff · Constantin Hokhloff · Les grandes oreilles
Biography
Michel Constantin (born Constantin Hokhloff; 13 July 1924 – 28 August 2003) was a French actor and professional volleyball player. He was the men’s national volleyball champion from 1954 to 1956, before making his film debut as a convict in the 1960 prison thriller The Hole. Thanks to his stature and striking features, he became a popular character actor in crime films, often playing thugs and gangsters. He appeared in several films alongside his friend Charles Bronson during the 1970's.
Born Constantin Hokhloff in Billancourt (near Paris), he was the son of a White Russian emigre father and his Polish wife. Hokhloff's father was a former officer in the Russian Army, of Kalmyk descent. He had met Hokhloff's mother while he was stationed in Warsaw, Congress Poland. After the Russian Civil War, the coupled moved to Paris, along with many other White emigres. During World War II, he worked at the Renault factories in Boulogne-Billancourt, where his family lived.
Thanks to his height (1.85 meters) and athletic ability, Constantin was recruited by the volleyball team of Club olympique de Billancourt (CO Billancourt) in 1943. He switched teams to Racing Club de France for the 1947-48 season, but returned to CO Billancourt the following season. As setter, he led the team to French national championships in 1954, 1955 and 1956. It was during this period that he changed his name to Michel Constantin.
During this time, he was also a freelance reporter for the sports journal L'Équipe.
Constantin appeared as an extra in the 1956 film Plucking the Daisy, but made his first significant acting debut in the 1960 prison thriller The Hole. Director Jacques Becker and screenwriter José Giovanni sought to recruit a cast of non-professional actors to play the various convicts. Becker's son Jean knew Constantin from his volleyball days, and recommended him for the part. The film was a critical and commercial success, and enabled Constantin's transition into an acting career.
Known For
TV Shows (6)
Movies (50)
Le Trou
1960
as Geo Cassine
Violent City
1970
as Killain
Cold Sweat
1970
as Whitey
Jerk in Istanbul
1967
as Vincent
The Inglorious Bastards
1978
as Veronique
The Outside Man
1972
as Antoine
Last Known Address
1970
as Greg, the henchman
The Pariah
1972
as Xavier Saratov, Georgia's brother and Roberto's friend
There Once Was a Cop
1972
as Commissioner Campana alias Louis Lopez
Le Deuxième Souffle
1966
as Alban, Manouche's bodyguard
Quarter to Two Before Jesus Christ
1982
as Secutor Flavien Magister
The Beast
1974
as Sandro Colautti
The Vultures
1984
as Adjutant Edouard Mahuzard
The Southern Star
1969
as Jose
The Strangers
1969
as Chamoun
Troubleshooters
1971
as Michel
A Man Named Rocca
1961
as Head of the American Racketeers
The Wise Guys
1965
as Skida
Signé Furax
1981
as Grougnache
Dirty Heroes
1967
as Sgt Rudolph Petrowsky
Let's Not Get Angry
1966
as Jeff, boss of the "Homard Américain"
The Telephone Always Rings Twice
1985
as Le directeur du cinéma
Maigret Sees Red
1963
as Cicero
A Very Curious Girl
1969
as André
Ville à vendre
1992
as Docteur Bernier
The Big Shots
1972
as Weiss
Shot Pattern
1982
as Alexandre Gagnon
Law of Men
1962
as Paulo, friend of Sophie
No Pockets in a Shroud
1974
as Culli
Sahara Cross
1977
as Carl Mank
Les Gorilles
1964
as Otto, the legionnaire (uncredited)
The Track
1975
as Le capitaine Nimier
Man in the Trunk
1973
as Capt. Augier
Plein les poches pour pas un rond...
1978
as Steff
The Comeuppance
1970
as Gilani
Killing in the Sun
1973
as Marius Fantoni, aka 'Fanto'
Pillaged
1967
as Georges
Special Killers
1973
as Inspector Palma
The Cop
1970
as Viletti
Vertigo For A Killer
1970
as René
Fear in the City
1981
as Don Vincenzo Talascio
Beyond Fear
1975
as Guilloux
OK Patron
1974
as Mario (uncredited)
The Lion's Share
1971
as Inspector Michel Grazzi
Le Mataf
1973
as Bernard Solville
Only the Cool
1970
as Coster
La Baston
1985
as Raoul
Law of Survival
1967
as Stan
Le Deuxième Couteau
1985
as Commissaire Bartillot
La loi sauvage
1988
as Victor Molini
About Michel Constantin
Michel Constantin (born Constantin Hokhloff; 13 July 1924 – 28 August 2003) was a French actor and professional volleyball player. He was the men’s national volleyball champion from 1954 to 1956, before making his film debut as a convict in the 1960 prison thriller The Hole. Thanks to his stature and striking features, he became a popular character actor in crime films, often playing thugs and gangsters. He appeared in several films alongside his friend Charles Bronson during the 1970's. Born Constantin Hokhloff in Billancourt (near Paris), he… With 56 credits spanning from 1956 to 1992, Michel Constantin has appeared in 50 films and 6 TV shows.
Fans searching for Michel Constantin movies, Michel Constantin filmography, or the latest projects starring Michel Constantin can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Michel Constantin Movies
- Le Trou (1960) — as Geo Cassine
- Violent City (1970) — as Killain
- Cold Sweat (1970) — as Whitey
- Jerk in Istanbul (1967) — as Vincent
- The Inglorious Bastards (1978) — as Veronique
Where to Watch Michel Constantin Films
Most Michel Constantin movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Michel Constantin, check our movies catalogue and browse page.