Jacques Rivette - Actor Profile

Jacques Rivette

Directing
Updated: May 14, 2026
21Total Films
9.0 Highest Rated
Born: Mar 1, 1928
Birth Place: Rouen, Seine-Maritime, Haute-Normandie, France

About Jacques Rivette

Jacques Rivette (March 1, 1928 - January 29, 2016) was a French film director. With Jean-Luc Godard, Jacques Rivette was one of the more experimental of the French New Wave (nouvelle vague) directors. In common with many of his peers, he had a background in film criticism, where he expressed his admiration for popular American cinema, especially genre directors such as Robert Aldrich, Howard Hawks and Frank Tashlin. Rivette's films progress in unconventional ways—often following multiple plots that can be romantic, mysterious, and comic all at once and employing extensive improvisation—and are often extremely long.

Jacques Rivette Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Jacques Rivette reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 21 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Jacques Rivette's work falls within the Documentary genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 57% of Jacques Rivette's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Jean Renoir, le patron, 1re partie: La recherche du relatif, which stands out as a key performance.

Advertisement

Best Jacques Rivette Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Jacques Rivette's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Jacques Rivette has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2024 Cinema Redefined: Jacques Rivette's L'Amour Fou Revisited Self Flop Similar →
2017 Conversation entre Jean-Luc Godard et Jacques Rivette Self Flop Similar →
2012 Die Geheimnisse von Paris Himself Flop Similar →
2000 Nouvelle Vague : El cine sin dogmas Self Super Hit Similar →
1995 Lumière & Company Self Average Similar →
1995 Up, Down, Fragile Man at Crepe/Hot Dog Stand Hit Similar →
1994 Joan the Maid I: The Battles Priest (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1990 Jacques Rivette, the Watchman Self - Director Hit Similar →
1982 Short Memory Marcel Jaucourt Flop Similar →
1981 Merry-Go-Round Man entering car (cameo) Hit Similar →
1970 Rome Is Burning: Portrait of Shirley Clarke Jacques Rivette Super Hit Similar →
1967 Festivals 66 Cinéma 67 Self Flop Similar →
1967 Jean Renoir, le patron, 3e partie: La règle et l'exception Self - Interviewer Flop Similar →
1967 Jean Renoir, le patron, 2e partie: La direction d'acteur Self - Interviewer Super Hit Similar →
1967 Jean Renoir, le patron, 1re partie: La recherche du relatif Self - Interviewer Super Hit Similar →
1964 La Nouvelle Vague par elle-même Self Super Hit Similar →
1963 The Lovely Month of May Self (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1961 Paris Belongs to Us A man at the party (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1961 Jean Renoir parle de son art Interviewer Flop Similar →
1956 Fool’s Mate Narrator (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1950 The Glass Castle Un voyageur qui sort de la Gare de l'Est (uncredited) Average Similar →

Jacques Rivette - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Jacques Rivette?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Jacques Rivette is "Jean Renoir, le patron, 1re partie: La recherche du relatif" with a rating of 9.0/10.

How many movies has Jacques Rivette acted in?

Jacques Rivette has been featured in at least 21 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Jacques Rivette?

Other notable films include "Jean Renoir, le patron, 2e partie: La direction d'acteur", "La Nouvelle Vague par elle-même", and "Nouvelle Vague : El cine sin dogmas".

Advertisement