Jean Del Val

Jean Del Val, born Jean Jacques Gauthier on 17 November 1891, was a French-born actor who worked across stage, film, and television throughout a career spanning several decades. Also credited under the names Jean Gauthier and Jean Gautier, he died on 13 March 1975 at the age of 83 from a heart attack in Pacific Palisades, California, and was interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.

Del Val's screen career began during the Hollywood silent era, with his first film credit being The Fortunes of Fifi in 1917. As the industry transitioned to sound, he took on work as a translator and vocal coach for French-language versions of American-made films. His film roles during the sound era included the historical figure Ferdinand Foch in the 1941 production Sergeant York, which was based on the life of Alvin York, and a small part as an announcer for a French radio station in the opening scenes of the 1942 classic Casablanca. His most prominent film role came in 1966, when he portrayed comatose scientist Dr. Jan Benes in the science fiction film Fantastic Voyage.

On television, Del Val appeared in five episodes of the series Combat!, beginning with an uncredited appearance in the episode "A Day in June." His subsequent credited appearances in the series included the role of Marceau in "No Trumpets, No Drums," a French farmer in "Birthday Cake," Father Bomar in "The Steeple," and Brother Edmundo in "The Mockingbird."

Del Val also maintained a presence on the Broadway stage between 1923 and 1938. His theatrical credits included the play Lulu Belle, the musical Fifty Million Frenchmen, the play A Play Without a Name, Oscar Wilde, and Empress of Destiny, among other productions.