Jean Cocteau

Date of Birth: July 5, 1889

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: October 11, 1963

Biography

Jean Maurice Eugène Clément Cocteau was a French poet, playwright, novelist, designer, filmmaker, visual artist, and critic. Born on July 5, 1889, in Maisons-Laffitte, France, Cocteau was a pivotal figure in the avant-garde movement and was known for his innovative and surrealist approach to art and literature. He grew up in a wealthy family and was deeply affected by the suicide of his father when he was just ten years old. Cocteau’s early literary works gained him fame, and he soon became a prominent figure in the artistic circles of Paris, associating with influential artists like Pablo Picasso, Igor Stravinsky, and Marcel Proust. Cocteau’s foray into filmmaking began in the 1930s, and he became known for his unique and often dreamlike cinematic style. Some of his most renowned films include “The Blood of a Poet” (1930), “Beauty and the Beast” (1946), and “Orpheus” (1950). These films are celebrated for their innovative use of special effects and their poetic, fantastical narratives. Throughout his life, Cocteau was openly gay and had relationships with several notable men, including the French actor Jean Marais, who starred in many of his films. Cocteau’s influence extended beyond his lifetime, impacting various artistic fields and inspiring future generations of artists and filmmakers. Jean Cocteau passed away on October 11, 1963, in Milly-la-Forêt, France, from a heart attack, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most versatile and visionary artists of the 20th century.

5 Interesting Facts about Jean Cocteau

1. Jean Cocteau was elected to the prestigious Académie française in 1955.

2. He had a close friendship with the famous Russian ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky and even wrote a libretto for Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes.

3. Cocteau designed the sets and costumes for several ballets and plays, showcasing his talent as a visual artist.

4. He struggled with opium addiction, which influenced much of his work and personal life.

5. Cocteau’s novel “Les Enfants Terribles” (1929) is considered a classic of French literature and was later adapted into a film by Jean-Pierre Melville.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jean Cocteau

1. “The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth.”

2. “What the public criticizes in you, cultivate. It is you.”

3. “Art produces ugly things which frequently become more beautiful with time. Fashion, on the other hand, produces beautiful things which always become ugly with time.”

4. “We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don’t like?”

5. “Life is a horizontal fall.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Jean Cocteau’s highest net worth is not precisely documented, but his considerable influence and success in multiple artistic fields suggest he was well-compensated and financially comfortable during his lifetime.