After fighting in the French army during the war in Indochina, he never left Asia.
He himself has lost a friend who was playing Russian roulette.
He had been a French military pilot in Indochina in the 1950s, later
accomplishing various aviation feats.
Was paid $25,000 for his role as Julien Grinda in The Deer Hunter.
Was well known for his French Restaurant, Le Metropolitan, in Bangkok. During the filming of The Deer Hunter in 1977, the film crew and actors ate at the restaurant.