In the 1920s, while working for the French customs service, Bonifas took classes in acting at the Conservatoire de Paris in his spare time.

[2] During World War II he served as a lieutenant in the artillery, was badly wounded, and evacuated from Dunkirk with his unit.

His Company included Andre Frere, Georges Rex, Suzette Marquis, Elma Soiron and Paul Clarus.

[2] Bonifas returned to France in 1946 and resumed his career in theatre, specializing in comedy, but also taking dramatic roles.

His later film career included appearances in Trapeze (1956), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956), Fanny (1961), Charade (1963), Greed in the Sun (1964), The Train (1964), Is Paris Burning?