After failing three times to pass his baccalaureate (the secondary school diploma in France) exams, he decided to study theater.
Brother-in-law of actor François Chaumette.
Hergé, the Belgian author/cartoonist of the world famous Tintin cartoons, felt that Noiret was the ideal choice to play a live action version of Tintin's "Captain Haddock" character.
Known for his droopy bloodhound features, in real life he is an unabashed dog lover.
Once a nightclub entertainer.
Received a special tribute as part of the Annual Memorial tribute at The 79th Annual Academy Awards (2007) (TV).
Received the Légion d'Honneur (France's highest order) in 2005.
The winner of two Cesar Awards (French equivalent of the Oscars), he has never attempted stardom in Hollywood.
Trained at the Centre Dramatique de l'Ouest.