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Learn How to Pronounce Gérard Philipe | YouPronounce.it

How to Pronounce Gérard Philipe

Quick Answer: In French, the name Gérard Philipe is pronounced [ʒe.ʁaʁ fi.lip].
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)

Meaning and Context

Gérard Philipe, born on December 4, 1922, in Cannes, was a preeminent French actor and a defining icon of post-war French cinema. Achieving immense fame in the 1940s and 1950s, his career was a brilliant, though tragically brief, constellation of performances that captured the spirit of romantic heroism and intellectual depth. He is eternally celebrated for his swashbuckling charm in Christian-Jaque's Fanfan la Tulipe (1952) and his poignant portrayal of the doomed poet in Le Diable au corps (1947). His collaborations with esteemed directors like Claude Autant-Lara and Jean Cocteau, along with his leadership at the Théâtre National Populaire under Jean Vilar, cemented his status as both a major French movie star and a serious man of the stage. Philipe's untimely death from liver cancer on November 25, 1959, at the age of 36, shocked the nation and solidified his legend as a beautiful, talented figure frozen in time, his legacy a cornerstone of classic French cinema and a touchstone for discussions of cinematic charisma.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The name Gérard Philipe presents consistent challenges for non-French speakers and in digital searches, primarily due to its diacritical marks. The correct spelling includes an acute accent on the first 'e' in Gérard and a grave accent on the 'e' in Philipe. Common misspellings and typos include "Gerard Philippe" (omitting accents and adding an extra 'p'), "Gerald Philippe," and "Gerard Philip." The substitution of "Phillipe" with a double 'l' is also frequent. When searching online or in databases, it is often necessary to try both accented and unaccented versions, as many English-language sources drop the accents, rendering it as "Gerard Philipe." Confusion also arises from the similarity to the more common surname "Philippe," leading to the persistent error of "Gerard Philippe." Ensuring the correct, accented spelling is crucial for accurate research into his filmography and legacy.

Example Sentences

For many cinephiles, Gérard Philipe's exuberant performance in Fanfan la Tulipe remains the quintessential image of the romantic French hero.

His stage work with the Théâtre National Populaire, particularly in plays like Le Cid, demonstrated a dramatic range that complemented his film stardom.

Film historians often cite Philipe's role in La Ronde as a masterclass in subtle, sophisticated acting.

Despite his early death, the Gérard Philipe Prize continues to honor young actors in France, preserving his influence.

You can witness his captivating screen presence in the Criterion Collection's restoration of Les Orgueilleux.

His portrayal of Modigliani in Montparnasse 19 is a haunting and fitting final major performance from the actor.

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