Jean-Roger Milo

Jean-Roger Milo, born Salah Eldine Saoud on June 5, 1957, in Paris's 12th arrondissement, was a notable French actor of Algerian descent. He passed away on October 12, 2023, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, leaving behind a legacy in the French film industry.

Milo's journey into acting began in the late 1970s when, at just 18 years old, he discovered cinema at the MJC in Créteil. Inspired by actor Sacha Pitoëff, who welcomed aspiring actors into his courses, Milo immersed himself in classic literature and the dramatic arts, portraying Pepel in Maxim Gorky's *Les Bas-Fonds*. His early career saw him taking on extra roles, where he sought mentorship from esteemed directors like Bertrand Tavernier and Bertrand Blier.

In the early 1980s, Milo made his mark in films such as *Tir Groupé* and *Un Dimanche De Flic*, and he featured alongside Jean-Paul Belmondo in *L'As Des As*. Despite facing setbacks, including an injury during the filming of *Rue Barbare*, he continued to evolve as an actor. His portrayal of Paul Voulet in *Sarraounia* (1986) and a weight-loss transformation for the role of Chaval in Claude Berri's *Germinal* (1993) earned him a César nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Milo also appeared in popular films like *Le Pari* (1997) and *Astérix et Obélix contre César* (1999), where he played the blacksmith Cétautomatix. After a brief retirement in the mountains, he was approached in 2014 for a comeback role in *Near Death Experience*, but the project did not materialize. Jean-Roger Milo's contributions to cinema and his passion for performance are fondly remembered.