Albert Préjean (French pronunciation: [albɛʁ pʁeʒɑ̃]; 27 October 1894 – 1 November 1979) was a French actor and singer, primarily in film. He served in World War I, and was decorated with the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honour. With Lysiane Rey, he was the father of Patrick Préjean, and grandfather of Laura Préjean.
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Early life
Préjean was born on 27 October 1894 in Paris.
Career
Préjean shot his first five films with French director Henri Diamant-Berger between 1921 and 1923. The roles he played tended to embody the leading man for the people, generous and strong. His most lasting fame stems from his work in the films of René Clair that transition from the silent to the sound eras. These include most notably the farce Un Chapeau de Paille d'Italie (1928) and the musicalized melancomic Sous les toits de Paris (1930). When German director G. W. Pabst directed the film version of the huge Brecht-Weill musical hit Die Dreigroschenoper in 1931, he simultaneously shot a French-language version (L'opéra de quat'sous) with a French lead cast. Préjean was given the coveted lead role of the underworld kingpin Mackie Messer.