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Valeriu Popescu was born on December 1, 1938, in Bucharest, Romania. He graduated in 1962 from the Acting Faculty of the Institutul de Arta Teatrala si Cinematografica "Ion Luca Caragiale" (IATC), now known as the National University of Theatre and Film (UNATC) in Bucharest, studying under Professor Ion Olteanu with assistance from Irina Rachiteanu-Sirianu. Until 1970, he performed leading roles on prominent stages across Romania, including Targu Mures, Ploiesti, and Bucharest's "Small Theatre" ("Teatrul Mic"). Tall, handsome, and charismatic, he appeared in plays such as William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" ("A douasprezecea Noapte") and "Romeo and Juliet," Bernard Shaw's "The Devil's Disciple" ("Discipolul Diavolului"), Tennessee Williams' "Orpheus Descending" ("Orfeu in Infern"), and William Gibson's "Two for the Seesaw" ("Doi pe un Balansoar").
In 1969, he defected from Romania and the communist regime, settling in Paris, France, where he adopted the name Valerio Popesco to better fit the local language. He took on various roles in films and television, including the Stranger in the 1973 Belgian film "Belle," directed by Andre Delvaux. He also collaborated with renowned French directors such as Jean-Luc Godard, Philippe Galardi, and Roger Burkhardt.
Popesco directed several plays himself, including "The Premiere" by John Cromwell, "Butterflies, Butterflies" by Aldo Nicolai, and "Moments of Life" by William Saroyan. In 1984, he founded the theatre company "Instants" in Lyon and served as its artistic director until 1989, the year the communist regime fell. He returned to Romania in 1995, performing leading roles once again at the "Nottara" Theatre—such as Starbuck in Richard Nash's "The Rainmaker"—and later joining the "National Theatre" Bucharest in 1996. One of his most significant roles in his later years was Alfredo in Manlio Santanelli's "The Queen Mum," performed alongside Olga Tudorache at the "Amfiteatre" stage.
His film career began with roles in "The Upheaval" ("Rascoala") directed by Mircea Muresan, "The Jolly Quarter" by Manole Marcus, and "Papparazzo" directed by Nicolae Margineanu. On television, he appeared in productions such as "The Early Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore" by Tennessee Williams, directed by Catalina Buzoianu; "Here, Doesn't Live Anybody," written and directed by Malvina Ursianu; and "A Lost Letter" ("O Scrisoare Pierduta"), scripted and directed by Mircea Veroiu.
Valeriu Popescu passed away on November 18, 2005, just days before his 67th birthday on December 1. He is buried at Bellu Cemetery, Romania's most famous cemetery, in Bucharest.
