THE French actor Louis Jourdan, best known for his role in the multi-Oscar winning 1958 musical “Gigi,” has died in California at age 93.

    Born in Marseilles, he began his career acting in French films before being lured to the United States.

    Often seen in roles that capitalized on his Gallic charm, he described himself as Hollywood’s “French cliché.”

    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.

    (SD-Agencies)