In his first major film role as Antoine Doinel, Jean-Pierre Leaud exhibited a mature command as an unloved youth who turns petty thief in Francois Truffaut's memorable classic "The Four Hundred Blows" (1959). The film's final frozen image of Leaud's round face staring at the camera with a mixture of humor and confusion has become a familiar screen image. Truffaut went on to direct the actor in six additional films, four of which detailed the further adventures of Doinel. Leaud matured into a lanky, sharp-featured but furtive man. Over the course of the series, he proved to be a modest talent
Worked as a 'technical collaborator' on Georges Lampin's "La tour, prend garde!"; also had bit role
1958
First major role as Francois Truffaut's film alter ego in "Les quartre cents coups/The 400 Blows"; first time playing character of Antoine Doinel
1962
Reprised Doinel in the Truffaut-directed segment "Paris--Antoine et Colette" of the omnibus film "Love at Twenty/L'Amour a vingt ans"
1964
Was assistant director to Jean-Luc Goddard on "La Femme mariee/A Married Woman", Truffaut on "La Peau Douce/The Soft Skin" and Jean-Louis Richard on "Mata Hari, Agent H-21"
