Introduction

Jacques Charrier was once one of the most promising faces of postwar French cinema — a rising actor whose career briefly intersected with global fame through his marriage to Brigitte Bardot, France’s most iconic screen legend. While his name is often recalled today in connection with Bardot, Charrier’s life tells a broader, quieter story of artistic ambition, personal struggle, and deliberate retreat from the spotlight.

Charrier, the late ex-husband of the late Brigitte Bardot, died on November 6, 2024, at his home in Saint-Briac-sur-Mer, on the Brittany coast. He was 88 years old. His death was officially announced by France’s culture minister, Rachida Dati, who praised his “discretion and elegance.”

As the world recently reflected on Bardot’s death at 91 in December 2025, renewed interest has turned toward the people who shaped — and were shaped by — her life. Among them, Jacques Charrier remains one of the most consequential.

Who Is Jacques Charrier?

Jacques Charrier was a French actor, producer, painter, and ceramicist, best known for his roles in influential French films of the late 1950s and 1960s. At the height of his fame, he was described by Le Monde as “a cross between James Dean and Gérard Philipe,” the legendary French matinee idol.

Despite early success, Charrier ultimately chose a life away from celebrity, transitioning from cinema into visual arts and living privately for decades before his death.

His Connection to Brigitte Bardot

Jacques Charrier was Brigitte Bardot’s second husband. The couple married in June 1959 in Louveciennes, France, in a ceremony overwhelmed by journalists and photographers. Even Le Monde reported the precise moment they joined hands: 11:30 a.m.

They had one child together, a son named Nicolas-Jacques Charrier, born in 1960 — Bardot’s only child.

Their marriage, however, was short-lived and deeply troubled, ending in divorce in 1963.

Why He Is Relevant Now

Interest in Jacques Charrier has resurfaced following Brigitte Bardot’s death in December 2025 at age 91. As one of the most emotionally complex figures in Bardot’s personal history — and the father of her only child — Charrier’s life offers critical context to understanding her legacy beyond the screen.

Early Life & Childhood

Jacques Joseph Henri Charrier was born on November 6, 1936, in Metz, France.

He grew up in a disciplined household shaped by military structure and traditional values, far removed from the bohemian world of cinema he would later enter.

Family Background, Parents & Siblings

• Father: Joseph Jules Léon Charrier, a career military officer

• Mother: Marie Marguerite Vuillaume

• Siblings: None publicly documented

Through marriage, Charrier later became connected to Bardot’s family, including her sister Mijanou Bardot.

Education

At age 17, Charrier enrolled at the School of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg, where he initially studied pottery.

Three years later, he shifted paths and entered the National School for the Dramatic Arts in Paris, marking his transition into acting. His stage work at the Théâtre Montparnasse, including a leading role in The Diary of Anne Frank, caught the attention of celebrated director Marcel Carné.

Career or Profession

Charrier’s cinematic breakthrough came in 1958 with Les Tricheurs (The Cheaters), a box-office success in Europe that portrayed decadent Parisian youth.

He followed this with roles in more than a dozen films, including works by:

• Claude Chabrol

• Jean-Luc Godard (Anticipation, ou l’Amour en l’An 2000, 1967)

At Bardot’s insistence, Charrier starred opposite her in Babette Goes to War (1959), a commercial hit that cemented them as France’s most talked-about couple.

However, career momentum slowed after he declined the lead role in Purple Noon, later made famous by Alain Delon. After producing Il Pleut sur Santiago (1975) — a political film that failed commercially — Charrier exited the film industry altogether.

Relationship With Brigitte Bardot

Their relationship was marked by intense pressure, emotional strain, and public scrutiny.

Bardot later described her pregnancy as “nine nightmarish months” and wrote in her memoir Initiales B.B. that she never wanted motherhood. Following their son’s birth, Charrier was hospitalized for nervous depression, while Bardot attempted suicide.

After their divorce in 1963, Charrier gained custody of Nicolas-Jacques Charrier, raising him largely away from the media glare.

Decades later, Charrier sued Bardot over passages in her memoir that he believed harmed both him and their son. Though damages were modest, the emotional impact lingered.

Personal Life & Relationships

Jacques Charrier married four times. His fourth wife was Makiko, a Japanese photographer.

He is survived by:

• His son, Nicolas-Jacques Charrier

• Three daughters from earlier marriages: Marie, Sophie, and Rosalie

• Several grandchildren

 

Net Worth

Jacques Charrier’s net worth was never publicly disclosed. His income later in life stemmed primarily from painting and ceramics, with exhibitions held in Paris, Geneva, and other European cities.

Interesting Facts About Jacques Charrier

• He began his artistic life studying pottery, not acting

• He turned down a role that made Alain Delon a global star

• He raised Bardot’s only child after their divorce

• He sued — and later countersued — Brigitte Bardot successfully

• He retired quietly to a seaside village after decades out of public view

 

Recent News or Updates

Jacques Charrier’s death in November 2024 preceded Brigitte Bardot’s death in December 2025, linking their names once again in public memory. Both passed away quietly, far from the frenzy that once defined their lives.

Conclusion

Jacques Charrier’s life was shaped by a brief moment of immense fame — and a long, intentional withdrawal from it. While history often frames him through his marriage to Brigitte Bardot, Charrier was more than a footnote in her story. He was an artist, a father, and a man who chose dignity over spectacle.

As the world reflects on Bardot’s legacy, Jacques Charrier’s quieter journey stands as a reminder that not all lives touched by fame are meant to be lived within it.

FAQs

Who was Jacques Charrier?
Jacques Charrier was a French actor, artist, and the second husband of Brigitte Bardot.

Did Jacques Charrier and Brigitte Bardot have children?
Yes. They had one son together, Nicolas-Jacques Charrier.

Why did Jacques Charrier leave acting?
After a failed film project in 1975, he chose to focus on painting and ceramics.

What was Jacques Charrier’s cause of death?
He died peacefully at home at age 88; no specific illness was publicly disclosed.

Why is Jacques Charrier trending now?
Interest has renewed following Brigitte Bardot’s death at 91 in December 2025.