Jean Del Val

Jean Del Val
Del Val in The Flying Deuces (1939)
Born
Jean Jacques Gauthier

(1891-11-17)17 November 1891
Reims, Grand Est, France
Died13 March 1975(1975-03-13) (aged 83)
Pacific Palisades, California, U.S.
Other namesJean Gauthier
Jean Gautier
OccupationActor
Years active1917—1973

Jean Jacques Gauthier (17 November 1891 – 13 March 1975), known by the stage name Jean Del Val, was a French actor, long based in the United States.

Life and career

Born Jean Jacques Gauthier in Reims, Del Val moved to Los Angeles in the 1910s. He played roles during the Hollywood silent era, beginning with The Fortunes of Fifi in 1917. During the early days of talkies he served as a translator and vocal coach for French language versions of American-made films, as well as a dubber.

Two of his notable credits include the classic 1942 film Casablanca in a small role as an announcer for a French radio station in one of the opening scenes, and historical figure Ferdinand Foch in the 1941 film Sergeant York, based on the life of Alvin York. His most well-known role was comatose scientist Dr. Jan Benes in the 1966 science fiction film Fantastic Voyage.

He also appeared on 5 episodes of the television series Combat!: first, uncredited in the episode "A Day in June", followed by "No Trumpets, No Drums" as Marceau, then as a French farmer in "Birthday Cake", Father Bomar in "The Steeple", and Brother Edmundo in "The Mockingbird".

Del Val's Broadway stage credits included the Cole Porter musical Fifty Million Frenchmen, Lulu Belle, and Oscar Wilde.

Death

Del Val died at age 83 from a heart attack in Pacific Palisades, California. He is interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City.

Selected filmography

Partial stage credits

Year Title Role Venue Notes Ref.
1923–24 The Dancers Gustave / Stage Manager Broadhurst Theatre, New York City
1926–27 Lulu Belle Vicompte De Villars Belasco Theatre, New York City
1928–29 A Play Without a Name Theodore Booth Theatre, New York City
1929–30 Fifty Million Frenchmen Le Sahib Roussin / Joe Zelli Lyric Theatre, New York City
1937 His Excellency Achille Lebas The Playhouse, Wilmington
Belasco Theatre, Washington D.C.
1938 Empress of Destiny Segur St. James Theatre, New York City
1938–39 Oscar Wilde Jules Fulton Theatre, New York City

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Jean Del Val – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2026-09-03.
  2. ↑ "Jean Delval". About the Artists.