- Born
- Died
- Birth nameFernand Joseph Désiré Contandin
- Height5′ 6½″ (1.69 m)
- The apocryphal biography of Fernand Contandin tells the invention of his artistic name Fernandel by his sister-in-law ("Voici le Fernand d'elles"). At the beginning of the thirties he became a typical actor of the comedy genre: popular, common, likable and with a concealed grain of drama. Marc Allégret was the director of his first successful film La meilleure bobonne (1931). He tried to work as director twice during World War II but was unsuccessful.
- IMDb mini biography by: Volker Boehm
- SpouseHenriette Manse(April 4, 1925 - February 26, 1971) (his death, 3 children)
- ChildrenJanine Contandin
- RelativesVincent Fernandel(Grandchild)Fransined(Sibling)
- Fernandel was mentioned in the Camus novel "The Stranger" as the director of a movie the main character had gone to see after his mother's death. When this later came up in his trial, the courtroom was aghast that he'd gone to see such a film under those circumstances.
- Received the Legion of Honour medal as reward for being a 'marchand de bonheur' (a trader in happiness).
- He had been a bank teller but this work was impossible for him: all customers burst out laughing when they saw his horse-like smile!
- Buried in the exclusive "Passy" cemetery Paris, France.
- Brother-in-law of Jean Manse.
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