[4] His first professional job was in a touring production in Germany of Molière's Les Fourberies de Scapin.

[3] In 1948, he began his career in the theatre with Robert Dhéry in Les Branquignols.

Serrault played in the 1955 suspense thriller Les diaboliques, starring Simone Signoret and directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot.

[3][4][2] In 1977-1978 he played the composer Jacques Offenbach in a six-part series of one-hour episodes about the musician's life, each one focusing on a specific aspect or work.

[6] Serrault died from relapsing polychondritis at his home in Équemauville on 29 July 2007 at age 79.