Son of the famous Impressionist painter Pierre Auguste, he had a happy childhood. Pierre Renoir was his brother, and Claude Renoir was his nephew. After the end of World War I, where he won the Croix de Guerre, he moved from scriptwriting to filmmaking. He married Catherine Hessling, for whom he began to make movies; he wanted to make a star of her. They separated in 1930, although he remained married to her until 1943. His next partner was Marguerite Renoir, whom he never married, although she took his name. He left France in 1941 during the German invasion of France during World War II and became a naturalized US citizen.
Son of impressionist painter Pierre Auguste Renoir Younger brother of Pierre Renoir Uncle of Claude Renoir Although he became an American citizen, he was buried in France following a state funeral. Was voted the 12th-greatest director of all time by Entertainment Weekly magazine, making him the highest-rated French filmmaker on the list. He frequently acted in his own movies, earning praise for his performances as loveable bear-like lugs (he even dressed up like a bear in "The Rules of the Game"). Biography in John Wakeman, editor, "World Film Directors, Volume One, 1890-1945," pp. 923-947. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1987. He once said that no other Hollywood director understood people better than Leo McCarey. Called "the boss" by director Jacques Rivette.