COLUCHE

Coluche: translation

(1944-1986)

Actor, director, and screenwriter. Born Michel Colucci, Coluche was an acclaimed stand-up comedian and beloved actor. He performed live in the nightclub Café de la Gare with Romain Bouteille,Miou Miou, andPatrick Dewaere, and created his own theater troupe,Au vrai chic parisien. He also worked alongside celebrities such asJosiane BalaskoandThierry Lhermittein the Splendid Troupe.

In the 1970s, his stand-up performances drew large crowds. His film acting career began withClaude Berri'sLe pistonné(1970). He often collaborated with the famous comedy directorClaude Zidi, playing leading roles in the popularL'Aile ou la cuisse(1976),Inspecteur la bavure(1980), andBanzai(1983).He played smaller roles in Zidi'sLe Grand Bazar(1973) andLes Rois du gag(1985). Coluche's fame only increased when he ran for president of France in 1980.

Though he is popularly remembered for his comic roles, Coluche was a talented actor in more serious films. He won aCésarfor Best Actor for his performance in Berri's dramaTchao Pantinin 1984. He also starred in Berri's comediesLe Maître d'école(1981) andLa femme de mon pote(1983). Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he acted in many of France's most commercially successful films. He also directed one film in which he starred,Vous n'aurez pas l'Alsace et la Lorraine, in 1977. He played notable roles inPatrice Leconte'sLes vécés étaient fermés de l'intérieur(1975),Jean Yanne'sDeux heures moins le quart avant Jésus Christ(1982), Italian director Dino Risi'sLe Bon roi Dagobert(1984) andScemo di guerra(1985), and Gérard Oury'sLa Vengeance du serpent à plumes(1984).

Coluche was the longtime companion of the actressMiou-Miou. He is almost as beloved in France for his charity work as for his comedy and film work, particularly on behalf of the homeless and hungry. He founded the charity Les Restos du Coeur. He died unexpectedly in a motorcycle accident, but has remained a cultural icon since his death.