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So Richard Anconina, he’s a kind of actor who marks you without you necessarily realizing it straight away. Born on January 28, 1953, in Paris, he comes from a modest family, very attached to its Sephardic roots from Morocco with a touch of Spain. It’s clear, he has that authentic Parisian charm, you see?
He’s about 1m75 tall, rather average, but he’s always managed to carve out a huge place for himself in French cinema, without exaggeration. On the love front, information remains discreet, even though his private life has often been mentioned with curiosity in the media.
Before becoming the actor we know, he did several odd jobs, quite far from the spotlight: hospital worker or delivery driver, but what really changed things was when he started entertaining in retirement homes. He told stories, got on stage, and bam, he realized he wanted to do that all his life: act, live a thousand lives on the big screen.
No wonder that in 1977, he burst into the film “Comment se faire réformer” and began a nuanced rise. But watch out, the real turning point was “Tchao Pantin” in 1983. Remember? His role as Bensoussan is heartbreaking, and for that, he snagged two Césars, no less.
Who is Richard Anconina, this iconic figure of French cinema?
His story is that of a Parisian born in the heart of the 18th arrondissement, in a family of Jewish Sephardic immigrants from Morocco. That gives a vibrant mix of identity, far from the usual clichés. His father and mother ran a restaurant, one of those you don’t forget when you grew up there.
Rather than going straight into showbiz, he got a CAP diploma as an electrotechnician. Strange for a future actor? Yes, a bit. But it gave him time to mature, to understand life at grassroot level, far from the glitz.
What’s crazy is his transition: after various modest jobs, he built solid stage experience by entertaining in retirement homes. A real leap, almost a crazy bet. It gave him that natural ease, you know, the one that makes you believe in him effortlessly as soon as he faces a camera.
His public identity is therefore both a mix of modesty, sometimes seriousness, and very sharp humor. He has made his mark in heavy roles as well as comedies, the right combo to last in cinema.
Richard Anconina and the winding road to fame
The beginnings were not a red carpet, more like stairs to climb one by one. His first film dates back to 1977, “Comment se faire réformer”. Yes, it’s not a blockbuster, but it’s the first role that gently introduces him.
Often, he alternated between cinema and theater. In 1978, he joined the musical show “Notre-Dame de Paris” thanks to Robert Hossein, which gave him another dimension. In theater, he learned to master his fear, to play the card of raw sincerity.
The breakthrough came with “Tchao Pantin”. His role as a loyal friend, a bit lost, alongside Coluche, is almost legendary. He received two Césars. Honestly, it was a big deal for him: official recognition and proof he was more than just a face in the crowd.
He continued with “Itinéraire d’un enfant gâté”, another César for Best Actor. That was the time he acted with Christophe Lambert, Catherine Deneuve, no less. You see, he never confined himself to one type of roles, which is admirable.
Some notable Richard Anconina films to remember him by
- 🎬 Tchao Pantin (1983): role of Bensoussan, his Césars in hand.
- 🎬 Itinéraire d’un enfant gâté (1988): his César for Best Actor.
- 🎬 La Vérité si je mens ! (1997): which put him back in the spotlight.
- 🎬 Camping 2 (2010): a welcome return to cinema.
- 🎬 Stars 80 (2012): a successful popular comedy.
A discreet but full private life
His privacy was never excessively on the front page, which I respect. Richard has always known how to keep that part of mystery, even if the media in 2023 and 2024 have sometimes highlighted a few moments. But he’s not the type to lay it all out, you can feel it.
We know he’s married, he had love stories that marked his life, but he never let rumors destroy him. That’s pretty admirable in a world where everything quickly goes wrong.
There is an anecdote that has always made me smile: during the shooting of “Tchao Pantin”, it was Coluche himself who slapped him so hard it could have stopped a scene. It shows the passion and intensity of his shoots.
In 2010, he became a commander in the Order of Arts and Letters. That alone is huge recognition, a sign of respected work and a well-filled career.
Richard Anconina in 2025: what the future holds
Still in 2025, he continues to tread the boards, notably with the play “Coupable” which he performs all over France. No question of stopping, even after 70, this guy has the flame!
In terms of cinema, he has never really left the camera. Between returns to cult films, appearances in popular comedies, and unexpected collaborations, he’s an old pro who still likes to surprise.
We also saw him as a jury member at the Deauville American Film Festival. He’s a guy who, despite his success, likes giving back by supporting young talents. A nice way to stay in the game.
I’d be curious to see if he has the desire to shoot some kind of biopic about his life, because his journey alone deserves a film.
The key moments and collaborations of Richard Anconina that left a mark on the public
- ✨ His performance in Tchao Pantin, a film that became cult with Coluche.
- 🎤 The duo with Christophe Lambert in Paroles et Musique, surprising, right?
- 🤣 The saga La Vérité si je mens ! which shaped his image as a popular actor.
- 🏆 His numerous Césars and awards, reflecting his talent recognized by his peers.
- 🎭 His role as actor and jury member, notably at Deauville in 2002, showing his involvement in cinema beyond acting.
If you want to learn more about his life and career, don’t hesitate to take a look at this page or also Gala, it’s pretty nice for understanding this complex and endearing character. For a cinematic dive, the detailed filmography is there on AlloCiné, really handy.
The celebrity press also talks about him with as much passion on Voici or for a recent update on his life Voici Camping. And for the most curious, the complete biography is available on Wikipedia.
