Alain Renoir Death
Alain passed away on December 12, 2008 at the age of 87 in his country estate in Northern California.
When did Alain Renoir die?
December 12, 2008How old was Alain Renoir when died?
87Where did Alain Renoir die? What was the location of death?
his country estate in Northern California
Alain Renoir Birthday and Date of Death
Alain Renoir was born on October 31, 1921 and died on December 12, 2008. Alain was 87 years old at the time of death.
Birthday: October 31, 1921
Date of Death: December 12, 2008
Age at Death: 87
Is Alain Renoir's father, Jean Renoir, dead or alive?
Alain Renoir's father, Jean Renoir, died on February 12, 1979 as he was 84 years old. His cause of death was heart attack.
Is Alain Renoir's mother, Catherine Hessling, dead or alive?
Alain Renoir's mother, Catherine Hessling, died on September 28, 1979 as she was 79 years old.
Alain Renoir - Biography
After World War II, Alain Renoir entered college at the University of Santa Barbara. There he met the woman he was to marry, Jane, who was obtaining a degree in nutrition. One of his required classes was nutrition, and he had an assignment to describe a nutritious meal. With Jane's help, he and a friend devised a meal with the least nutrition possible. It drove his professor crazy.Despite not being able to speak English until after he joined the American Army, Renoir was admitted to the Department of English at Harvard University's graduate school. While there, where he obtained a doctorate in Old English Literature under the brilliant (and slightly wacky) Francis P. Magoun, Jr.Upon receiving his Ph.D., Renoir came to the University of California, Berkeley, where he remained a professor of English until his retirement in 1989. He co-founded the Department of Comparative Literature there, where it still thrives. A number of important scholars of Old English received their doctorates under his guidance. He was a formidable figure in the field of Oral-Formulaic theory, where his experience as a cinematographer helped bring to life the ancient techniques of storytelling of 7th-10th century England.He often spoke with great fondness of his father, Jean Renoir, to his students, but he never permitted anyone to discuss his grandfather. Occasionally he would make reference to Pierre-Auguste Renoir (whom he never met) by saying, "I had a grandfather who painted pictures."Alain Renoir died at his country estate in Northern California on December 12, 2008 in the presence of his late-life companion, Pat Powers.
