French film star Noiret dead -television

PARIS, Nov 23 (Reuters) French film star Philippe Noiret, whose trademark hangdog face delighted cinema audiences, has died, French television said today. He was 76.

Noiret was one of the most prolific and successful actors of his generation, starring in a string of cinema hits over the past five decades, including the hugely popular 1988 Franco-Italian comedy ''Cinema Paradiso''.

He made his film debut in 1955 in Agnes Varda's ''La Pointe Courte'' but did not make his mark until 1960 where he played the downbeat uncle in Louis Malle's classic ''Zazie Dans Le Metro''.

In all, he has almost 150 film credits to his name, winning best actor awards in Italy and France for his role in the 1989 film ''La vie et rien d'autre'', an intense drama set at the end of World War One.

France's TF1 television station said Noiret died of cancer.

Reuters SBA VP0155