Sam Shaw

Ireland, 1954. By Sam Shaw 💚

(c) Shaw Family Archives

Shaw Family Archives

Portraits of the writer ROMAIN GARY in Rome, Italy, 1961 by SAM SHAW. These images were part of a series Sam photographed for the LIFE magazine article "GARY THE TRIPLE THREAT." The title refers to his notoriety as one of France's greatest wartime fliers, as a career diplomat and as a distinguished writer.

Gary is quoted in the LIFE article as saying, "I sometimes lie on a beach and think and watch the roll of the sea, which I suppose for me is a substitute for the infinite. When the light is like this and the air is so soft it can't be beat--except, perhaps, by the face of a young girl looking forward toward life." He was married in 1962 to American actress JEAN SEBERG.

RIP Romain Gary who passed away 45 years ago today.

Photos by Sam Shaw (c) Shaw Family Archives Ltd.

Shaw Family Archives