Paul Meurisse was a French actor who appeared in over 60 films and many stage productions. Meurisse was noted for the elegance of his acting style, and for his versatility. He was equally able to play comedic and serious dramatic roles. His screen roles ranged from the droll and drily humorous to the menacing and disturbing. His most celebrated role was that of the sadistic and vindictive headmaster in the 1955 film Les Diaboliques.

Le deuxième souffle is a 1966 French crime-thriller film directed by Jean-Pierre Melville and starring Lino Ventura, Paul Meurisse, Raymond Pellegrin, and Christine Fabréga.