Max Linder | |
|---|---|
Linder circa 1917 | |
| Born | Gabriel-Maximilien Leuvielle 16 December 1883 |
| Died | 1 November 1925 (aged 41) |
| Cause of death | Suicide |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1899–1925 |
| Spouse | Hélène "Jean" Peters (m.1923) |
| Children | 1 |
Gabriel-Maximilien Leuvielle (16 December 1883 – 1 November 1925), known professionally as Max Linder (French: [maks lɛ̃.dɛʁ]), was a French actor, director, screenwriter, producer and comedian of the silent film era. He was known as the "first international movie star" and "the first film star anywhere".
Andrew Shail, senior lecturer in film at Newcastle University, has uncovered what appears to be the first film-star marketing: a poster for a Pathé Frères' film featuring [Max] Linder called Le Petit Jeune Homme, released in Europe in September 1909. Whereas Linder had been known on-screen as a first-name-only character called "Max" since 1907's The Skater's Debut, this poster uses his full name, and is thus the earliest surviving European evidence of publicity for a regular film performer. [...] 'This makes Linder – as far as we can tell – the first film star anywhere,'