Blier was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where his father, a researcher at the Pasteur Institute, was posted at the time.

His rotund features and premature baldness allowed him to often play cuckolded husbands in his early career.

He is notable for being one of France's most versatile and sought-after character actors, performing interchangeably in comedies and dramas.

[2] He was awarded an Honorary César (the French Oscar) in 1989, 24 days before he died.

He has appeared in a number of his son's films, most notably Buffet froid (1979).