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Michel Blanc

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Michel Blanc
Blanc in 2009
Born
Michel Jean François Blanc

(1952-04-16)16 April 1952
Courbevoie, France
Died4 October 2024(2024-10-04) (aged 72)
Paris, France
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
  • writer
Years active1974–2024

Michel Blanc (16 April 1952 – 4 October 2024) was a French actor, writer and director.[1] He is noted for his roles of losers and hypochondriacs. He is frequently associated with Le Splendid, which he co-founded, along with Thierry Lhermitte, Josiane Balasko, Christian Clavier, Marie-Anne Chazel and Gérard Jugnot. He also appeared in more serious roles, such as the title role in the Patrice Leconte film Monsieur Hire.

Life and career

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Michel Blanc came from a modest family background; being the only son of Marcel, a removals man and Jeanine Blanc, a typist.[2] His parents cosseted him when it was discovered shortly after birth that he had a heart murmur.[3] He attended the Lycée Pasteur in Neuilly-sur-Seine, where he met Gérard Jugnot[4] and the two became friends and later professional colleagues.[5] He also met Marie-Anne Chazel, Christian Clavier, Thierry Lhermitte and Josiane Balasko in those school years, the group later becoming the Le splendid troupe.[6]

Blanc's breakthrough role was in Les Bronzés, a 1978 comedy about French holidaymakers seeking romance at a resort in Cote d'Ivoire. Blanc’s character, Jean-Claude Dusse, an awkward bachelor who just cannot manage to seduce women. Blanc feared, after two Les Bronzés sequels, that he might become typecast as "a lovable deadbeat".[7] Blanc extended his range with serious film roles (such as in the films of André Téchiné), theatre work, screen-writing (from Les Bronzés to Un petit boulot in 2016) and film direction (Grosse Fatigue in 1994, Mauvaise Passe filmed in London in 1999, Embrassez qui vous voudrez in 2002 and Voyez comme on danse in 2018).[7] He declined to direct Une petite zone de turbulences in 2009 while nonetheless preparing the screenplay and starring.[8] Blanc began his directing career with the comedy Marche à l'ombre, starring alongside Gérard Lanvin in 1984. The sharp dialogue and the contrast between the main duo assured the film a great success that year with over 6 million cinema entries.[9]

Blanc commented in 2010 "I’m very wary about forming habits when it comes to film-making, and art in general". In terms of his working methods as a writer, in adaptating a novel or text for a screen play he was wary of losing the original style, and he hated snipping scenes he liked. "So I always work the same way. I write. Then I leave it alone three weeks before reworking it. At that point, it’s no longer the book I’m adapting, but my script. For A Spot of Bother I wrote five different versions, then Alfred worked on my final version to make his shooting script."[8]

Michel Blanc translated and adapted several English-language plays for the French stage, such as Je veux faire du cinéma in 1992 (I ought to be in pictures) by Neil Simon, Temps variable en soirée in 1996 (Communicating Doors) after Alan Ayckbourn, Espèces menacées in 1997 (Funny money) by Ray Cooney, La Chambre bleue in 1999 (The Blue Room, after La Ronde) by David Hare, La Valse à Manhattan in 2001 (The West Side Waltz) by Ernest Thompson, L'amour est enfant de salaud in 2003 (Things we do for love) by Alan Ayckbourn, Frankie et Johnny au clair de lune in 2004 (Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune) after Terrence McNally and Tantine et moi in 2005 (Vigil, aka Auntie and Me) after Morris Panych.[10]

A devotee of classical music since childhood, in 2004 he gave the premiere of the monodrama for speaker and orchestra by Eric Tanguy, Sénèque, dernier jour in Paris with the Orchestre National de Bretagne. Blanc also wrote the text for Tanguy's theatrical work, Photo d’un enfant avec une trompette, for the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, which had its premiere during the theatre’s 2013-2014 season.[11]

As an actor he was sometimes dubbed a "sad clown" in the press, but he said this missed the mark. He told the French media and culture periodical Télérama "I'm not a sad clown at all, I'm a worried clown".[7]

Blanc is one of a few people to have won awards at the Cannes Film Festival in both a creative and performing role, winning the Male Acting Prize in 1986 for Antoine in Tenue de Soirée, and the Best Screenplay Prize for Grosse Fatigue in 1994.[12]

Blanc died of cardiac arrest, during a medical examination, at Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, on 4 October 2024, at the age of 72.[13][14][15]

Theater

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As an actor

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Year Title Director Notes
1976 Foot-ball Michel Fagadau
Je vais craquer Le Splendid Théâtre du Splendid
Ma tête est malade Le Splendid Théâtre du Splendid
1977 Le Pot de terre contre le pot de vin Le Splendid Théâtre du Splendid
1978 Amour, coquillages et crustacés Le Splendid Théâtre du Splendid
1982 Bunny's bar Josiane Balasko Théâtre du Splendid
1985–88 Nuit d'ivresse Josiane Balasko Théâtre du Splendid
1992 Je veux faire du cinéma Michel Blanc Théâtre de la Michodière
'Art' Patrice Kerbrat Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
1995 The Merchant of Venice Jean-Luc Tardieu Maison de la culture de Loire-Atlantique Nantes

As a director

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Year Title Comedian Notes
1987 L'Excès contraire Dominique Lavanant Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens
written by Françoise Sagan
1992 Je veux faire du cinéma Michel Blanc Théâtre de la Michodière
written by Neil Simon

Filmography

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As an actor

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Cinema

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Year Title Role Director Notes
1974 Les filles de Malemort Daniel Daërt
Bonne présentation exigée The man who arrived Charles Nemes Short
1975 Let Joy Reign Supreme Louis XV's valet Bertrand Tavernier
Le bol d'air Michel Charles Nemes Short
1976 The Tenant Scope's Neighbor Roman Polanski
On aura tout vu A theater's friend Georges Lautner
Attention les yeux! A Cop Gérard Pirès
The Best Way to Walk Raoul Deloux Claude Miller
Je t'aime moi non plus A worker Serge Gainsbourg
L'ordinateur des pompes funèbres Choukroun Gérard Pirès
1977 Spoiled Children The young man Bertrand Tavernier
Le point de mire The cop Jean-Claude Tramont
Le diable dans la boîte Pierre Lary
Vous n'aurez pas l'Alsace et la Lorraine Antremont Coluche
1978 Surprise Sock The intern Jean-François Davy
La tortue sur le dos The reveller Luc Béraud
French Fried Vacation Jean-Claude Dusse Patrice Leconte
Le beaujolais nouveau est arrivé The Captain's son Jean-Luc Voulfow
1979 The Adolescent M. Bertin Jeanne Moreau
Rien ne va plus Marcel Dupin Jean-Michel Ribes
La Gueule de l'autre Taboureau Pierre Tchernia
French Fried Vacation 2 Jean-Claude Dusse Patrice Leconte
Cause toujours... tu m'intéresses! The cop Édouard Molinaro
Heroes Are Not Wet Behind the Ears A passerby Charles Nemes
1980 The Horse of Pride Corentin Calvez Claude Chabrol
1981 Viens chez moi, j'habite chez une copine Guy Patrice Leconte
1982 Santa Claus is a Stinker The obscene crank caller Jean-Marie Poiré
Ma femme s'appelle reviens Bernard Fizet Patrice Leconte
1983 Circulez y'a rien à voir Inspector Leroux Patrice Leconte
Gramps Is in the Resistance Father Leboeuf Jean-Marie Poiré
1984 Nemo Boris Arnaud Sélignac
Marche à l'ombre Denis Michel Blanc
Retenez Moi...Ou Je Fais Un Malheur Laurent Martin Michel Gérard
1985 Drôle de samedi The learner driver Bay Okan
1986 Les Fugitifs Doctor Bourdarias Francis Veber
Evening Dress Antoine Bertrand Blier Cannes Film Festival – Best Actor
Nominated – César Award for Best Actor
Je hais les acteurs Monsieur Albert Gérard Krawczyk
1988 Without Fear or Blame Verdiglione Gérard Jugnot
Une nuit à l'Assemblée Nationale Walter Arbeit Jean-Pierre Mocky
1989 Monsieur Hire Monsieur Hire Patrice Leconte Nominated – César Award for Best Actor
Chambre à part Martin Jacky Cukier
1990 Uranus René Gaigneux Claude Berri
Strike It Rich Hotel Manager James Scott
1991 Merci la vie Raymond Pelleveau Bertrand Blier
Prospero's Books Alonso Peter Greenaway
The Professional Secrets of Dr. Apfelgluck The Hindu Alessandro Capone, ...
1992 The Favour, the Watch and the Very Big Fish Norbert Ben Lewin
1993 Toxic Affair The suicidal Philomène Esposito
1994 Dead Tired Himself / Patrick Olivier Michel Blanc
The Monster Paride Taccone Roberto Benigni
Prêt-à-Porter Inspector Forget Robert Altman
1996 Les Grands Ducs Shapiron Patrice Leconte
1999 C'est plus fort que moi Gilles Marchand Short
2002 Summer Things Jean-Pierre Michel Blanc
2004 Madame Édouard Inspector Léon Nadine Monfils
2006 You Are So Beautiful Aymé Pigrenet Isabelle Mergault Nominated – César Award for Best Actor
Nominated – Lumière Award for Best Actor
French Fried Vacation 3 Jean-Claude Dusse Patrice Leconte
2007 The Witnesses Adrien André Téchiné Nominated – César Award for Best Actor
The Second Wind Inspector Blot Alain Corneau
2008 Nos 18 ans Professor Martineau Frédéric Berthe
A Day at the Museum Mosk Jean-Michel Ribes
2009 The Girl on the Train Samuel Bleistein André Téchiné
2010 A Spot of Bother Jean-Paul Muret Alfred Lot
2011 The Minister Gilles Pierre Schoeller César Award for Best Supporting Actor
The Day I Saw Your Heart Eli Dhrey Jennifer Devoldère
2013 Demi-soeur Paul Bérard Josiane Balasko
2014 The Hundred-Foot Journey Mayor Lasse Hallström
2015 Memories Michel Jean-Paul Rouve
The New Adventures of Aladdin Sultan Arthur Benzaquen
2016 Odd Job Gardot Pascal Chaumeil
2017 Raid dingue Jacques Pasquali Dany Boon
2018 Voyez comme on danse Jean-Pierre Michel Blanc
2019 A Good Doctor Serge Mamou-Mani Tristan Séguéla
2021 Les Tuche 4 Jean-Yves Marteau Olivier Baroux
2023 Les cadors Jean-Pierre Deloup Julien Guetta
Les petites victoires Emile Menoux Mélanie Auffret
Marie-Line et son juge Gilles d'Outremont Jean-Pierre Améris
2025 The Safe House Père-Grand Lionel Baier
TBA Le routard Charoux Julien Hervé & Philippe Mechelen Post-Production

Television

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Year Title Role Director Notes
1977 Au théâtre ce soir Sandy Remington Pierre Sabbagh TV series (1 episode)
1978 Les héritiers Ivan Chaulard Pierre Lary TV series (1 episode)
Madame le juge Colomar Philippe Condroyer TV series (1 episode)
Le temps d'une République The second officer Michel Wyn TV series (1 episode)
1979 Pierrot mon ami François Leterrier TV movie
Les 400 coups de Virginie The antiquarian Bernard Queysanne TV mini-series
Histoires insolites Inspector Maurice Ronet TV series (1 episode)
Les enquêtes du commissaire Maigret Crotton Yves Allégret TV series (1 episode)
1981 Histoire contemporaine Ernest de Bonmont Michel Boisrond TV mini-series
Les enquêtes du commissaire Maigret Belloir Yves Allégret TV series (1 episode)
1982 Le mystère du gala maudit Bernard Lion TV movie
Les enfants du rock A classmate Jean-Noël Roy TV series (1 episode)
1983 Après tout ce qu'on a fait pour toi Pierre Jacques Fansten TV movie
Merci Bernard Various Jean-Michel Ribes TV series (3 episodes)
1988 Palace Inspector Jean-Michel Ribes TV series (1 episode)
Un jour à Rome Gilbert Roger Guillot TV series (1 episode)
Médecins des hommes Philippe Alain Corneau TV series (1 episode)
2003 L'affaire Dominici Inspector Sébeille Pierre Boutron TV movie
2004 93, rue Lauriston Inspector Blot Denys Granier-Deferre TV movie

As a director

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Year Title Notes
1984 Marche à l'ombre Also Writer and Actor
Nominated – César Award for Best Debut
1994 Grosse fatigue Also Writer and Actor
Cannes Film Festival – Best Screenplay
Nominated – Palme d'Or
Nominated – César Award for Best Writing
1999 The Escort Also Writer
2002 Summer Things Also Writer and Actor
Nominated – César Award for Best Writing
2018 Voyez comme on danse

References

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  1. ^ "Michel Blanc". Unifrance. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  2. ^ "Haltères de contraste". Libération (in French). 14 January 2006.
  3. ^ "Michel Blanc: L'heure de devenir père". Paris Match (in French). 25 October 2015.
  4. ^ RTL (4 October 2024). "Gérard Jugnot : « J'ai rencontré Michel Blanc en 4ème, on ne s'est plus lâchés »" (vid) (in French) – via YouTube.
  5. ^ "Mort de Michel Blanc: le lycée Pasteur de Neuilly-sur-Seine, point de départ de l'histoire du Splendid". BFM TV (in French). 4 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Mort de Michel Blanc: comment avait-il rencontré les autres membres de la troupe du Splendid?". Version Femina (in French). 4 October 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "Michel Blanc, star of Monsieur Hire, dies aged 72". The Guardian. 6 October 2024.
  8. ^ a b Dossier de presse (press file) for Une petite zone de turbulences, 2009, UGY YM, TF1 Films Production.
  9. ^ Jean-Michel Frodon (1995). L'âge moderne du cinéma français. Flammarion. p. 465.
  10. ^ "Michel Blanc bibliography". Les Archives du Spectacle. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  11. ^ Eric Tanguy page. Ircam-Centre Pompidou, 2013 accessed 9 October 2024.
  12. ^ "Michel Blanc". Festival de Cannes (in French).
  13. ^ "L'acteur Michel Blanc est mort à l'âge de 72 ans". Le Figaro (in French). 4 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Michel Blanc Dies: César-Winning Actor & 'Les Bronzés' Star Was 72". Deadline. 5 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Michel Blanc, « clown angoissé » du cinéma français, est mort à l'âge de 72 ans". Le Télégramme (in French). 4 October 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
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