Michel Blanc, the legendary French actor best known for his roles in Les Bronzes movies and Mr. Hireis dead. He was 72 years old.
He died early Friday morning in a Paris hospital after suffering a heart attack the previous night, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
French President Emmanuel Macron also paid tribute to Blanc on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “He made us cry with laughter and moved us to tears. Monument of French cinema, Michel Blanc is gone. Our thoughts go out to his loved ones and his accomplices.”
Born on April 16, 1952 in Courbevoie (Hauts-de-Seine), France, Blanc had a passion for classical music from a young age. But he later changed direction and co-founded the Le Splendid troupe, a café-théâtre company, in the 1970s with his friends Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot, Thierry Lhermitte, Josiane Balasko, Marie-Anne Chazel, Bruno Moynot and Claire Magnin.
As for his film projects, Blanc was best known for his role as Jean-Claude Dusse in the 1978 French comedy directed by Patrice Leconte. Les Bronzes (French fried holiday). He later reprized his roles in subsequent films in 1979 and 2006.
He was also praised for his role as the lead character in Leconte's 1989 crime thriller. Mr. Hire. His performance earned him a César Award nomination for Best Actor. He subsequently won the César for best supporting actor The exercise of the State (The Minister) in 2012.
Blanc also directed, co-wrote and starred in 1984's Marche in the shade2002 Embrassez qui vous voudrez (Summer things) and 1994 Big tiredness (Dead tired), the latter of which received the award for best screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival. He also won the best actor award at the festival in 1986 Tenue de soirée (Evening dress).
His other acting credits included Malemort's daughters, Let joy reign supreme, Grandpa is in the Resistance, The escort, The best way to walk, Thanks LaVie, Give me a chance, Toxic deal, The girl on the train AND The favor, the watch and the very big fishamong others.