As a student in a preparatory class at the École Normale Supérieure , Sorel first came into contact with the theater . He made his theatrical debut in a production of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice . After a tour , he returned reluctantly returned to the school. After his military service, Sorel decided to pursue an acting career, he initially got a small role in the film I will spit on your arrogance (1959; director: Michel Gast ). His breakthrough came with a leading role in the now-forgotten film Bitter Fruit of Love (1960; director: Jacques Bourdon ). Since then, Sorel has appeared in numerous feature films. He became popular with a wider audience through his roles as Tom Fennel in Julia, Du bist zauberhaft (1962; directed by Alfred Weidenmann ), as the Count in Der Reigen (1964; directed by Roger Vadim ), as the incestuous brother Gianni in Sandra (1965; Directed by Luchino Visconti ) or known as the husband of Catherine Deneuve in Belle de jour (1967; directed by Luis Buñuel ).
From the mid-1970s, Sorel reduced his film activities; today he mainly plays in television productions and at the theater (under Roger Planchon, among others ).
In 1962 he married the Italian actress Anna Maria Ferrero , who soon gave up her own career. Jean Sorel lives with his wife in Paris and Rome .
Filmography
1959: I will spit on your arrogance (J'irai cracher sur vos tombes)
1960: Bitter fruit of love (Les lionceaux)
1960: Sweet Desire (I dolci inganni)
1961: When life beckons (La giornata balorda)
1961: The King's Bed (Vive Henri IV… vive l'amour!)
