Michel Blanc obit

Michel Blanc Dies: César-Winning Actor & ‘Les Bronzés’ Star Was 72

 

He was not on the list.

French actor Michel Blanc, best known for his roles in Le Splendid troupe comedy films like the 1978 cult classic Les Bronzés (French Fried Vacation) and its subsequent 1979 and 2006 sequels, died early Oct. 4 at 72 of a heart attack following anaphylactic shock, per the Agence France-Presse.

A fixture in French cinema, his death was mourned by president Emmanuel Macron, who wrote on X: “He made us cry with laughter and moved us to tears. A monument of French cinema, Michel Blanc is gone. Our thoughts go out to his loved ones and his acting accomplices.”

The French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, added in a statement: “This morning the sorrow is immense, as great as his talent. In front of the camera of Bertrand Blier, Robert Altman or Pierre Schoeller, Michel Blanc amazed us with the variety of his acting, but also with his talents as a director with films like “Marche à l’ombre” or “Grosse fatigue”. Cinema, the world of culture and all French people will not forget him.”

In addition to memorably portraying Jean-Claude Dusse in the satirical film Bronzés — which he co-wrote as part of the café-théâtre company he founded alongside childhood friends Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot and Thierry Lhermitte (as well as Josiane Balasko and Marie-Anne Chazel) — he was in L’Exercice de l’État (The Minister), the thriller-drama for which he won a Best Supporting Actor César Award, the equivalent of the Oscar in France. In addition to comedic roles, Blanc was known for dramatic portrayals with 1989’s Monsieur Hire and 2007’s Les Témoins (The Witnesses), about a close-knit friend group that is impacted by the AIDS epidemic in 1980s Paris.

Other notable accolades include his 1986 Best Actor win at the Cannes Film Festival, for his starring role in Tenue de soirée (Evening Dress, also known as Ménage). He also won the fest’s Best Screenplay Award with Grosse Fatigue (Dead Tired), a film he starred in, co-wrote and directed, which was also nominated for the coveted Palme d’Or.

Occasionally, Blanc crossed over into Hollywood, starring opposite the likes of Jerry Lewis, Jeff Goldblum and Helen Mirren. A multi-hyphenate, Blanc was also a prolific filmmaker and screenwriter, garnering several César nominations, including for Best Screenplay twice for Dead Tired and Summer Things. Marche à l’ombre, another ’80s French comedy staple, was also co-written and directed by star Blanc, who received a César nom for Best First Work. In 2021, the Splendid troupe received the anniversary César Award.

“Very often, I like to play characters that touch me one way or the other,” he said in an interview conducted last year, adding, “I am fortunate that people have asked me to play interesting characters and that I had the possibility—or the talent, whatever that may be—to portray them. So it’s a mixture. It gets you nowhere if you’re very lucky but don’t know how to play your character. And if you’re an incredible actor who only gets small or insignificant roles, you’re also stuck. In the end, it’s a combination of circumstances—and luck.”

Blanc remained active in the film industry up until his death. Two films in which he starred, Le Routard and La Cache, are slated for release next year.

Actor

Le routard

Charoux

Post-production

2025

 

La cache

Père-Grand

Post-production

 

Michel Blanc and Louane Emera in Take a Chance on Me (2023)

Take a Chance on Me

6.1

Le juge Gilles d'Outremont

2023

 

Les petites victoires (2023)

Les petites victoires

6.3

Emile Menoux

2023

 

Jean-Paul Rouve and Grégoire Ludig in Les cadors (2022)

Les cadors

5.1

Jean-Pierre Deloup

2022

 

Claire Nadeau, Isabelle Nanty, Jean-Paul Rouve, Sarah Stern, Théo Fernandez, and Pierre Lottin in Les Tuche 4 (2021)

Les Tuche 4

4.4

Jean-Yves Marteau

2021

 

Michel Blanc and Hakim Jemili in A Good Doctor (2019)

A Good Doctor

6.5

Serge Mamou-Mani

2019

 

Carole Bouquet, Charlotte Rampling, Michel Blanc, Jacques Dutronc, Sara Martins, Jean-Paul Rouve, Karin Viard, Guillaume Labbé, William Lebghil, and Jeanne Guittet in Kiss & Tell (2018)

Kiss & Tell

5.6

Jean-Pierre

2018

 

Laurent Lafitte and Zita Hanrot in Paul Sanchez Is Back! (2018)

Paul Sanchez Is Back!

5.9

Gendarme

2018

 

Dany Boon and Alice Pol in R.A.I.D. Special Unit (2016)

R.A.I.D. Special Unit

5.6

Jacques Pasquali

2016

 

Odd Job (2016)

Odd Job

6.4

Gardot

2016

 

Michel Blanc, Eric Judor, Jean-Paul Rouve, Kev Adams, Audrey Lamy, Arthur Benzaquen, Vanessa Guide, and William Lebghil in The New Adventures of Aladdin (2015)

The New Adventures of Aladdin

4.8

Le sultan

2015

 

Julien Doré: Que reste-t-il de nos amours?

Music Video

2015

 

Michel Blanc, Annie Cordy, Chantal Lauby, and Mathieu Spinosi in Memories (2014)

Memories

6.6

Michel Esnard

2014

 

Helen Mirren, Manish Dayal, and Charlotte Le Bon in The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)

The Hundred-Foot Journey

7.3

Mayor

2014

 

Demi-soeur (2013)

Demi-soeur

5.5

Paul Bérard

2013

 

Michel Blanc and Olivier Gourmet in The Minister (2011)

The Minister

6.7

Gilles

2011

 

The Day I Saw Your Heart (2011)

The Day I Saw Your Heart

6.5

Eli Dhrey

2011

 

Une petite zone de turbulences (2009)

Une petite zone de turbulences

5.9

Jean-Paul Muret

2009

 

The Girl on the Train (2009)

The Girl on the Train

6.0

Samuel Bleistein

2009

 

Musée haut, musée bas (2008)

Musée haut, musée bas

5.4

Mosk - le conservateur

2008

 

School's Out (2008)

School's Out

6.1

Le professeur Martineau

2008

 

The Second Wind (2007)

The Second Wind

5.7

Commissaire Blot

2007

 

The Witnesses (2007)

The Witnesses

6.9

Adrien

2007

 

French Fried Vacation 3: Friends Forever (2006)

French Fried Vacation 3: Friends Forever

4.0

Jean-Claude Dus

2006

 

You Are So Beautiful (2005)

You Are So Beautiful

6.7

Aymé Pigrenet

2005

 

93, rue Lauriston (2004)

93, rue Lauriston

6.8

TV Movie

Inspecteur Blot

2004

 

Madame Edouard (2004)

Madame Edouard

5.0

Commissaire Léon

2004

 

The Dominici Case (2003)

The Dominici Case

7.1

TV Series

Le commissaire Sébeille

2003

2 episodes

 

Carole Bouquet, Charlotte Rampling, Michel Blanc, Jacques Dutronc, and Denis Podalydès in Summer Things (2002)

Summer Things

6.5

Jean-Pierre

2002

 

C'est plus fort que moi

Short

1999

 

Les grands ducs (1996)

Les grands ducs

5.9

Shapiron

1996

 

Helena Christensen in Ready to Wear (1994)

Ready to Wear

5.2

Inspector Forget

1994

 

Roberto Benigni and Nicoletta Braschi in The Monster (1994)

The Monster

7.3

Paride Taccone

1994

 

Dead Tired (1994)

Dead Tired

6.4

Michel Blanc

Patrick Olivier

1994

 

Toxic Affair (1993)

Toxic Affair

4.6

Le suicidaire

1993

 

John Gielgud, Isabelle Pasco, Mark Rylance, and Michael Clark in Prospero's Books (1991)

Prospero's Books

6.8

Alonso

1991

 

Jeff Goldblum, Bob Hoskins, Natasha Richardson, and Michel Blanc in The Favour, the Watch and the Very Big Fish (1991)

The Favour, the Watch and the Very Big Fish

6.2

Norbert

1991

 

Thierry Lhermitte in Les secrets professionnels du Docteur Apfelgluck (1991)

Les secrets professionnels du Docteur Apfelgluck

5.3

L'Hindou

1991

 

Merci La Vie (1991)

Merci La Vie

6.5

Raymond Pelleveau (Young Father)

1991

 

Uranus (1990)

Uranus

7.0

René Gaigneux

1990

 

Molly Ringwald and Robert Lindsay in Strike It Rich (1990)

Strike It Rich

4.8

Hotel Manager

1990

 

Separate Bedrooms (1989)

Separate Bedrooms

5.1

Martin

1989

 

Michel Blanc, Sandrine Bonnaire, and Luc Thuillier in Monsieur Hire (1989)

Monsieur Hire

7.5

Monsieur Hire

1989

 

Sans peur et sans reproche (1988)

Sans peur et sans reproche

5.2

Verdiglione - le chirurgien

1988

 

Palace (1988)

Palace

7.3

TV Series

Un inspecteur d'audimat

1988

1 episode

 

Médecins des hommes (1988)

Médecins des hommes

TV Series

Philippe

1988

1 episode

 

Une nuit à l'Assemblée Nationale (1988)

Une nuit à l'Assemblée Nationale

4.7

Walter Arbeit

1988

 

Piazza Navona

5.6

TV Series

Gilbert

1988

1 episode

 

Gérard Depardieu and Pierre Richard in The Fugitives (1986)

The Fugitives

7.0

Docteur Bourdarias (uncredited)

1986

 

I Hate Actors (1986)

I Hate Actors

5.7

Monsieur Albert

1986

 

Ménage (1986)

Ménage

6.9

Antoine

1986

 

Nuit d'ivresse (1986)

Nuit d'ivresse

6.1

TV Movie

Jacques Belin

1985

 

Drôle de samedi (1985)

Drôle de samedi

7.0

L'élève de l'auto-école

1985

 

Harvey Keitel, Mathilda May, and Carole Bouquet in Dream one (1984)

Dream one

4.4

Boris

Nemo's Father

1984

 

Michel Blanc and Gérard Lanvin in Marche à l'ombre (1984)

Marche à l'ombre

6.6

Denis

1984

 

To Catch a Cop (1984)

To Catch a Cop

3.5

Laurent Martin

1984

 

Merci Bernard (1982)

Merci Bernard

7.0

TV Series

Le tueur rigolo

Le père de Monique

Philippe Petitpas, champion de gentillesse 1983 ...

1982–1983

3 episodes

 

Gramps Is in the Resistance (1983)

Gramps Is in the Resistance

6.7

Le père Leboeuf

1983

 

Jane Birkin, Michel Blanc, and Jacques Villeret in Move Along, There is Nothing to See (1983)

Move Along, There is Nothing to See

5.2

Leroux

1983

 

Après tout ce qu'on a fait pour toi

TV Movie

Pierre

1983

 

Le mystère du gala maudit ou La fabuleuse aventure du grand orchestre du Splendid

TV Movie

1982

 

Santa Claus Is a Stinker (1982)

Santa Claus Is a Stinker

7.5

L'homme vulgaire au téléphone (voice)

1982

 

Ma femme s'appelle reviens (1982)

Ma femme s'appelle reviens

5.6

Bernard Fizet

1982

 

Les enfants du rock (1982)

Les enfants du rock

5.0

TV Series

Un camarade de classe

1982

1 episode

 

Histoire contemporaine

TV Mini Series

Ernest de Bonmont

1981

 

Viens chez moi, j'habite chez une copine (1981)

Viens chez moi, j'habite chez une copine

6.3

Guy

1981

 

Jean Richard in Les enquêtes du commissaire Maigret (1967)

Les enquêtes du commissaire Maigret

7.0

TV Series

Belloir

Crotton dit 'La Puce'

1979–1981

2 episodes

 

The Horse of Pride (1980)

The Horse of Pride

6.2

Corentin Calvez

1980

 

Les 400 coups de Virginie

7.3

TV Mini Series

L'homme antiquaire

1979

1 episode

 

Out of Whack (1979)

Out of Whack

5.3

Marcel Dupin

Passager métro effrayé

1979

 

Jean Poiret and Michel Serrault in La gueule de l'autre (1979)

La gueule de l'autre

6.0

Taboureau, l'adjoint de Javert

1979

 

French Fried Vacation 2 (1979)

French Fried Vacation 2

7.4

Jean-Claude Dus

1979

 

Gert Fröbe and Juliet Berto in Histoires insolites (1974)

Histoires insolites

6.8

TV Series

L'inspecteur

1979

1 episode

 

Annie Girardot and Jean-Pierre Marielle in Cause toujours... tu m'intéresses! (1979)

Cause toujours... tu m'intéresses!

6.0

L'agent de police au chantier

1979

 

Pierrot mon ami

TV Movie

1979

 

The Adolescent (1979)

The Adolescent

6.2

M. Bertin

1979

 

French Fried Vacation (1978)

French Fried Vacation

6.7

Jean-Claude Dusse

1978

 

Le temps d'une République

TV Series

Le second officier

1978

1 episode

 

Like a Turtle on Its Back (1978)

Like a Turtle on Its Back

6.2

Reveller who read manuscript

1978

 

Les héritiers

TV Series

Ivan Chaulard

1978

1 episode

 

Heroes Are Not Wet Behind the Ears (1978)

Heroes Are Not Wet Behind the Ears

5.0

Un passant

1978

 

Chaussette surprise (1978)

Chaussette surprise

4.4

L'interne

1978

 

The New Beaujolais Wine Has Arrived... (1978)

The New Beaujolais Wine Has Arrived...

4.8

Le fils du capitaine

1978

 

Simone Signoret and Michel Vitold in Her Ladyship the Judge (1978) (1978)

Her Ladyship the Judge (1978)

7.0

TV Series

Colomar

1978

1 episode

 

Le point de mire (1977)

Le point de mire

5.9

L'agent de police

1977

 

Vous n'aurez pas l'Alsace et la Lorraine (1977)

Vous n'aurez pas l'Alsace et la Lorraine

5.1

Antremont

1977

 

Jacques Balutin, Darry Cowl, Jean Lefebvre, Jacqueline Maillan, Maria Pacôme, Fernand Raynaud, and Michel Roux in Au théâtre ce soir (1966)

Au théâtre ce soir

7.9

TV Series

Sandy Remington

1977

1 episode

 

Spoiled Children (1977)

Spoiled Children

6.4

Le jeune homme de l'agence

1977

 

Le diable dans la boîte (1977)

Le diable dans la boîte

5.6

1977

 

Now We've Seen It All! (1976)

Now We've Seen It All!

6.1

Un copain du café-théâtre

1976

 

Roman Polanski in The Tenant (1976)

The Tenant

7.6

Scope's Neighbor

1976

 

The Probability Factor (1976)

The Probability Factor

5.7

Choukroun

1976

 

Jane Birkin and Joe Dallesandro in Je t'aime moi non plus (1976)

Je t'aime moi non plus

5.9

Un ouvrier

1976

 

La meilleure façon de marcher (1976)

La meilleure façon de marcher

7.1

Deloux

1976

 

Let's Make a Dirty Movie (1976)

Let's Make a Dirty Movie

4.4

Un flic

Cop

1976

 

Le bol d'air

3.7

Short

Michel

1975

 

Let Joy Reign Supreme (1975)

Let Joy Reign Supreme

7.0

Le valet de chambre de Louis XV

1975

 

Bonne présentation exigée

7.4

Short

L'homme qui arrive

1974

 

Les filles de Malemort (1974)

Les filles de Malemort

5.0

1974

 

Writer

Carole Bouquet, Charlotte Rampling, Michel Blanc, Jacques Dutronc, Sara Martins, Jean-Paul Rouve, Karin Viard, Guillaume Labbé, William Lebghil, and Jeanne Guittet in Kiss & Tell (2018)

Kiss & Tell

5.6

adaptation

dialogue

screenplay

2018

 

Odd Job (2016)

Odd Job

6.4

adaptation

dialogue

screenplay

2016

 

Martin Lamotte and Dominique Lavanant in SoeurThérèse.com (2002)

SoeurThérèse.com

6.1

TV Series

creator

original idea

2007–2011

7 episodes

 

Une petite zone de turbulences (2009)

Une petite zone de turbulences

5.9

scenario (adaptation, dialogue)

2009

 

French Fried Vacation 3: Friends Forever (2006)

French Fried Vacation 3: Friends Forever

4.0

Writer

2006

 

Carole Bouquet, Charlotte Rampling, Michel Blanc, Jacques Dutronc, and Denis Podalydès in Summer Things (2002)

Summer Things

6.5

Writer

2002

 

Daniel Auteuil and Liza Walker in The Escort (1999)

The Escort

6.2

dialogue

screenplay

1999

 

Espèces Menacées

TV Special

adaptation

1997

 

Roberto Benigni and Nicoletta Braschi in The Monster (1994)

The Monster

7.3

french adaptation

1994

 

Dead Tired (1994)

Dead Tired

6.4

scenario and dialogue

1994

 

Les spécialistes (1985)

Les spécialistes

6.4

written by

1985

 

Michel Blanc and Gérard Lanvin in Marche à l'ombre (1984)

Marche à l'ombre

6.6

dialogue

1984

 

Le mystère du gala maudit ou La fabuleuse aventure du grand orchestre du Splendid

TV Movie

Writer

1982

 

Ma femme s'appelle reviens (1982)

Ma femme s'appelle reviens

5.6

adaptation

dialogue

1982

 

Viens chez moi, j'habite chez une copine (1981)

Viens chez moi, j'habite chez une copine

6.3

adaptation

dialogue

1981

 

French Fried Vacation 2 (1979)

French Fried Vacation 2

7.4

Writer (as L'équipe du Splendid)

1979

 

French Fried Vacation (1978)

French Fried Vacation

6.7

Writer (as L'équipe du Splendid)

1978

 

Le bol d'air

3.7

Short

Writer (as Le Splendid)

1975

 

Director

Carole Bouquet, Charlotte Rampling, Michel Blanc, Jacques Dutronc, Sara Martins, Jean-Paul Rouve, Karin Viard, Guillaume Labbé, William Lebghil, and Jeanne Guittet in Kiss & Tell (2018)

Kiss & Tell

5.6

Director

2018

 

Carole Bouquet, Charlotte Rampling, Michel Blanc, Jacques Dutronc, and Denis Podalydès in Summer Things (2002)

Summer Things

6.5

Director

2002

 

Daniel Auteuil and Liza Walker in The Escort (1999)

The Escort

6.2

Director

1999

 

Dead Tired (1994)

Dead Tired

6.4

Director

1994

 

Michel Blanc and Gérard Lanvin in Marche à l'ombre (1984)

Marche à l'ombre

6.6

Director

1984