Jean Poiret

Jean Poiret (born Aug. 17, 1926, Paris, France—died March 14, 1992, Paris) was a French actor and playwright who wrote and starred in the original 1973 Paris production of La Cage aux folles, a farcical play about a gay couple that ran for more than 2,000 performances, inspired several films, and was adapted into a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical.

In the early 1950s Poiret formed a cabaret act and an enduring professional partnership with comic actor Michel Serrault. Poiret wrote or adapted and starred in numerous comedies, including Douce Amère (1970), Joyeuses Pâques (1980), and a French production of Neil Simon’s Rumors (1991). Although he did not appear in any of the films based on La Cage aux folles—which include the English-language The Birdcage (1996), directed by Mike Nichols—Poiret made some 40 motion pictures, notably Le Dernier Métro (1980; The Last Metro), Poulet au vinaigre (1985; Cop au Vin), Inspecteur Lavardin (1986), and Le Miraculé (1987).