Michel Blanc, a legendary figure in French cinema, dies aged 72

The world of cinema is in mourning. Michel Blanc, a talented actor in both comedy and drama, died at the age of 72 following a heart attack on October 3, his press attaché confirmed on Friday.

A key member of the Splendid troupe
Michel Blanc first came to prominence in the 1970s with the Splendid troupe, whom he had met at the Lycée Pasteur in Neuilly-sur-Seine, and quickly became one of the essential faces of French comedy. Audiences remember with fondness his role as Jean-Claude Dusse, the desperate flirt in the cult films *Les Bronzés* and *Les Bronzés font du ski*. This clumsy, endearing character perfectly embodies his talent for playing “likeable losers” who leave a lasting impression.

From popular success to critical acclaim
Despite the colossal success of his first roles, Michel Blanc grew tired of the character that stuck to his skin and decided to reinvent himself. In 1984, he stepped behind the camera to direct *Marche à l’ombre*, a darker comedy that proved a resounding popular success with over 6.1 million spectators. Far from confining himself to comedy, he demonstrated the full extent of his talent in *Tenue de soirée* (1986), in which he played a man discovering his homosexuality, a role which won him an acting prize at Cannes.

An eclectic and daring career
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Michel Blanc established himself as a chameleon actor, navigating between comedies, dramas and atypical films. Whether working in front of the cameras of great directors such as Patrice Leconte, Bernard Blier, Peter Greenaway or Robert Altman, his ability to embody complex and often unexpected characters is astonishing.

In 1994, with *Grosse Fatigue*, in which he plays himself, he explores the twists and turns of celebrity and the notion of identity, offering a film both dark and absurd that won him the Best Screenplay prize at Cannes. *I realized that you could be crazier than comedy traditionally is,” he says of this turning point in his career.

The return of success and recognition at the Césars
After a period of relative absence, Michel Blanc made a strong comeback in the 2000s. He took part in such popular hits as *Les Bronzés 3* (2006) and *Je vous trouve très beau* (2006). His ability to surprise was confirmed in 2011 with the political film *L’Exercice de l’État*, where he won the César for Best Supporting Actor, a belated but well-deserved recognition of his dramatic talent.

An essential star of French cinema
Far from confining himself to a single register, Michel Blanc has spanned the ages with a career marked by diversity and audacity. From light comedies to darker roles, he left behind an exceptional cinematic legacy, symbolized by his ability to play all roles.

Michel Blanc may be gone, but his talent, humor and memorable characters will continue to light up the history of French cinema.