Jean Benguigui Biography: Movies, Wife, Kids, TV Series, Net Worth, Age, Height, Parents, Siblings, Awards

Jean David Benguigui, better known as Jean Benguigui, is a beloved French actor known for his warm, funny roles in movies, TV, and theatre.

Born in Oran, Algeria, he brings his Jewish-Algerian heritage to life, making France proud with his lively performances over a 55-year career.

Profile

• Full Name: Jean David Benguigui
• Stage Name: Jean Benguigui
• Born: April 8, 1944
• Age: 81 years old
• Birthplace: Oran, Algeria
• Nationality: French
• Occupation: Actor, Comedian, Voice Actor
• Height: 5’8″ (173 cm)
• Religion: Judaism
• Parents: Paul Benguigui, Nelly Abécassis
• Siblings: Two sisters
• Spouse: Sylvie (m. 1998)
• Children: Antoine Léonpaul
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $2 million to $5 million

Early Life

Jean Benguigui was born on April 8, 1944, in Oran, Algeria, to Paul Benguigui and Nelly Abécassis, who were Jewish and originally from Algeria. His ethnicity is Algerian Jewish. He grew up in a close family with two sisters, following Jewish traditions.

At 14, he saw the play Tartuffe in Oran and knew he wanted to be an actor. In 1962, at 18, he moved to Toulouse to attend a boarding school while his parents and one sister remained in Algeria. A year later, he went to Paris to chase his acting dreams, carrying his Algerian roots and French pride.

Education

Jean went to school in Oran, where he was friends with Pierre Benichou, a journalist six years older. He didn’t finish higher education, choosing acting instead. In Paris, he joined theatre groups and trained with director Patrice Chéreau at a university theatre program, developing the skills that launched his career.

Career

Jean started acting in 1966 with the play L’Affaire de la rue de Lourcine and got his first film role in 1968 in Le Pacha. His early roles were serious, like in Les Camisards (1972) and La Question (1977), about the Algerian War.

In 1979, he found his knack for comedy in Buffet Froid by Bertrand Blier. He worked with director Alexandre Arcady on Le Grand Pardon (1982) and Le Grand Carnaval (1983), playing lively Mediterranean characters.

In the 1990s, he became a familiar face in comedies like Ma vie est un enfer (1991) and La Totale (1991). His role in Astérix et Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre (2002) won over younger fans. He’s appeared in films such as Le Boulet (2002), Nos jours heureux (2006), and Coco (2008).

On TV, he starred in Imogène (1990) and joined Laurent Ruquier’s shows On a tout essayé and On n’demande qu’à en rire (2010–2014). He also voiced Joe Pesci in Goodfellas (1990) and a character in A Cat in Paris (2010). With over 30 plays and 50 films, Jean’s work shines for France.

Social Media

Jean does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

Jean Benguigui is 81 years old and 5’8″ tall, living in Paris. He’s been married to Sylvie since 1998, a private woman who avoids the spotlight. They don’t have kids together, but Jean has a son, Antoine Léonpaul, a singer born in the 1970s from an earlier relationship.

Jean lives in Annecy and Berlin, where his son is based. In 2025, he faced health issues, including kidney problems and dialysis, which forced him to step back from a play, Visites à Mister Green.

He’s a social democrat, supporting François Hollande in 2012 and Emmanuel Macron in 2017. Jean enjoys theatre outings and stays close to friends like Laurent Ruquier, showing his warm French spirit.

Net Worth

Jean Benguigui has about $2 million to $5 million. He earned his money from acting in over 50 films, TV shows, and theatre roles, as well as voice work in Goodfellas. He receives a monthly pension of €3,300, which he says is good compared to others’. His success shows his dedication to French entertainment.

Filmography

• Le Pacha (1968) – Supporting role
• Les Camisards (1972) – Jean-Baptiste Fort
• La Question (1977) – Claude
• Buffet Froid (1979) – Supporting role
• Le Grand Pardon (1982) – Albert Zecri
• Le Grand Carnaval (1983) – Supporting role
• L’Africain (1983) – Supporting role
• Les Fugitifs (1986) – Supporting role
• Ripoux contre Ripoux (1990) – Supporting role
• Ma vie est un enfer (1991) – Neighbour.
• La Totale (1991) – Supporting role
• La Belle Histoire (1992) – Doga
• Astérix et Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre (2002) – Client
• Le Boulet (2002) – Supporting role
• Nos jours heureux (2006) – Mimoun
• Coco (2008) – Supporting role
• Aïcha (2008) – Supporting role
• Fatal (2010) – Tony Tarba
• Le Petit Blond de la Casbah (2023) – Supporting role

TV

• Imogène (1990) – Lead role
• On a tout essayé (2000s) – Regular guest
• On n’demande qu’à en rire (2010–2014) – Jury member

Stage

• L’Affaire de la rue de Lourcine (1966) – Supporting role
• Les Poissons rouges (1993) – Théâtre St-Georges
• Brèves de comptoir (1995) – Théâtre Tristan Bernard
• La Moustache (2018) – Directed by Jean-Luc Moreau
• Visites à Mister Green (2025) – Role (left due to health)

Voice Work

• Goodfellas (1990) – Joe Pesci (French dub)
• A Cat in Paris (2010) – Victor Costa