Michel Constantin

Biography

Michel Constantin, born Constantin Hokhloff on July 13, 1924, in Billancourt near Paris, was a distinguished French actor and former professional volleyball player. He was the men’s national volleyball champion from 1954 to 1956, showcasing his athletic talent before venturing into acting. His film career began with his notable role as a convict in the 1960 thriller "The Hole," where his imposing stature and unique features made him a sought-after character actor, particularly in crime dramas. Throughout the 1970s, he appeared alongside close friend Charles Bronson in several films.

Coming from a multicultural background, Constantin was the son of a White Russian émigré father, a former Russian Army officer of Kalmyk descent, and a Polish mother. Following the upheaval of the Russian Civil War, the family relocated to Paris, where they settled among other émigrés. During World War II, he worked at the Renault factories in Boulogne-Billancourt.

His volleyball career began in 1943 when he joined the Club Olympique de Billancourt, later transferring to Racing Club de France for the 1947-48 season but returning to CO Billancourt the following year. As a setter, he led his team to three consecutive national championships.

Constantin also worked as a freelance reporter for the sports journal L'Équipe before fully embracing his acting career, which took off after "The Hole." He passed away on August 28, 2003.