The French television landscape of 1949 featured Pierre Tcherniakowski as a central figure during the initial broadcast of the country's first televised news. Known professionally as Pierre Tchernia, he established a career spanning decades as a journalist, producer, animator, and filmmaker, eventually becoming a widely recognized media personality nicknamed Magic Tchernia and Monsieur Cinema.
Early Development and Education
Born in the 13th arrondissement of Paris in 1928, Tchernia was the youngest of four children born to a Ukrainian engineer and a seamstress. He spent his youth in Courbevoie. His interest in the medium was ignited in 1940 at the age of twelve after viewing John Ford's film Stagecoach. Following his time at Lycée Pasteur, he pursued formal training in film and photography, eventually attending the Institut des hautes études cinématographiques.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Television Broadcasting and Hosting
Tchernia played a foundational role in French television, working for entities including the Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française and the Office de radiodiffusion télévision française. He gained prominence through his work as an early news presenter and later as the host of the movie trivia quiz show Monsieur Cinéma. His broadcast career also included hosting variety, music, and talk shows such as La Clé des champs, alongside serving as the French commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest fourteen times between 1958 and 1974.
Contributions to Film and Animation
Influenced by Walt Disney, Tchernia began producing animation in 1955. His filmography includes credits as a screenwriter, director, and actor. In 1961, he hosted L'Ami Public n°1, a series dedicated to Disney films, and received the Rose d'Or at the Montreux festival in 1966. His work in feature films includes screenwriting for La Belle Américaine, Carom Shots, and several Asterix adaptations.
Association with the Asterix Series
Tchernia maintained a professional friendship with Asterix creators René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. He wrote screenplays for four Asterix films and provided the original French narration for several titles, including The Twelve Tasks of Asterix, Asterix Versus Caesar, and Asterix in the Vikings. Furthermore, he appeared as a caricature in various Asterix albums, portraying characters ranging from Roman officers to a Roman Prefect.
Fast facts
- Born: 1928, 13th arrondissement of Paris
- Died: 2016, 18th arrondissement of Paris
- Education: Lycée Pasteur, Institut des hautes études cinématographiques
- Professional Aliases: Magic Tchernia, Monsieur Cinema
- Eurovision Appearances: 14 times as French commentator (1958–1974)
- Awards: Commander of the National Order of Merit (1996), Commander of the Legion of Honour (2011)
- Burial Site: Névez
Questions readers ask
What was Tchernia's role in the Asterix franchise?
He was a friend of the creators, wrote the screenplays for four films, narrated several animated versions, and was frequently caricatured as various Roman characters within the comic albums.
Did Pierre Tchernia work in television before film?
Yes, he participated in the creation of the first French television news broadcast in 1949, years before his prolific career as a film screenwriter and producer took full effect.
Achievements
- Commander of the Legion of Honour
- Commander of the National Order of Merit — 1996
- Worked as screenwriter, film producer and journalist
