Maud Linder

June 27, 1924 — Neuilly-sur-Seine, France

Maud Linder was a French journalist, film historian, and documentary filmmaker, renowned for preserving and promoting the legacy of her father, silent film star Max Linder. Orphaned at 16 months due to her parents' tragic deaths, she was raised by her grandparents. At 20, upon discovering her father's films, she dedicated herself to restoring and sharing his work. In 1963, she compiled Laugh with Max Linder, a film that premiered at the Venice Film Festival and received the Étoile de Cristal award. Her 1983 documentary, The Man in the Silk Hat, about her father's life and career, was screened out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival. Linder's efforts were instrumental in reviving interest in early cinema and her father's contributions to the film industry.