French actor, director and screenwriter Michel Blanc looks on during the presentation of the film "Monsieur Hire" as part of the 42th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 21, 1989. French actor and director Michel Blanc, a leading figure of the Splendid theatre company, died on October 3, 2024 night at the age of 72. (Photo by Bertrand GUAY / AFP)