The French actor Louis Jourdan, best known for his role in the multi-Oscar winning 1958 musical Gigi, has died in California aged 93. Born in Marseilles, he began his career acting in French films before being lured to the US. Often seen in roles that capitalised on his Gallic charm, he described himself as Hollywood's "French cliche". His later years saw him play evil villains, including in the 1983 Bond film Octopussy. Jourdan died at his home in Los Angeles, his official biographer Olivier Minne said. "He embodied French elegance and Hollywood offered him the parts to go with that," he told the AFP news agency. Gigi was one of the biggest films of the 1950s. Despite this, Jourdan did not consider Gigi his best achievement, reportedly saying in 1957: "It was a wonderful story for Leslie and Maurice Chevalier, but I played a colourless leading man. You'll note that none of the actors was nominated for Academy Awards." Continue...