Coluche
Encyclopedia
Michel ColucciMichel Colucci (born October 28, 1944 in Paris
, France
; died June 19, 1986 in Opio, Alpes-Maritimes
, France), better known as Coluche, was a French comedian
and actor, famous for his irreverent sense of humour.
Colucci adopted "Coluche" as a stage name
at 26, when he began his entertainment career. He became known for his irreverent attitude towards politics and the “Establishment,” and he incorporated this into much of his material. He was one of the first major comedians to regularly use profanities as a source of humor on French Television.
, in a hospital in the 14th arrondissement of Paris. His mother Simone Bouyer worked as a florist in the Boulevard Montparnasse. His father Honorio Colucci, who originally came from Lazio in Italy, was a painter and decorator. His father died in 1947 at the age of 37 from polio. This left his wife to bring up alone his two children on a meagre salary.
Coluche showed little promise at school and afterwards had various little jobs that he did not stay in for long. He joined the infantry but was imprisoned for insubordination. After returning to civil life, he worked with his mother as a florist.
At the end of the sixties he tried his luck as a singer in cafes. But this was unsuccessful so he turned to humour.
. This was the meeting place formed by a group of young comedians of which practically all the initial members were to become famous : Patrick Dewaere
, Henri Guybet, Miou-Miou
, Martin Lamotte... Amongst the patrons of the Café de la Gare were to be found : Georges Moustaki
, Raymond Devos
, Jean Ferrat
, Jacques Brel
, Leni Escudero, Pierre Perret
, Jean Yanne
. Later they were joined by Gérard Lanvin
, Renaud
, Rufus
, Diane Kurys
, Coline Serreau
, Anémone, Gérard Depardieu
, Thierry Lhermitte
, Josiane Balasko
and Gérard Jugnot
.
His first sketch C'est l'histoire d'un mec made into a joke, the difficulties of telling a funny story.
He quickly became a popular success, but alcohol problems forced him to leave the group.
Afterwards he founded another group : Le vrai chic parisien and it was at this time that he met his future wife Véronique Kantor. They married in 1975 and had two sons. Again his behaviour and addictions forced him to leave this group and launch his solo career.
He was sacked by two radio stations for vulgarity.
. At first he was not taken seriously until the day the Sunday newspaper, Le Journal du Dimanche
, published a poll on 14 December 1980, crediting Coluche with 16% of voting intentions.
He ended up dropping out of the race because of political and media lobbying following polls that showed a significant part of the electorate might vote for him. Some threats to his life were also mentioned.
In 1984 he was awarded the César Award for Best Actor
for his role in the film Tchao Pantin (1983) directed by Claude Berri
.
" charity. This charity was launched by Coluche when he made a speech on the radio station Europe 1
. This speech is very famous and begins with the words 'I have a little idea..'. The charity collects food, money and clothes for the needy and the homeless. Each year, a fund-raising concert series is presented by various singers and celebrities, collectively known as les Enfoirés ("the assholes").
In the same month, Coluche won the world speed record for a 750cc motorbike, achieving 252.087 km/h.
in southeastern France. He was 41.
This event provoked national grief and inspired the album Putain de camion
("fuckin' truck") by close friend Renaud
. Some conspiracy theories have since surfaced, mainly in the book Coluche, l'accident : contre-enquête, alleging that Coluche may have been murdered.
for "Best Actor
" for his role in Tchao pantin (So Long, Stooge
, 1983), one of his very few dramatic roles.
He also won the Prix National des Euphémismes de Charente-Maritime (National Prize for Understatements of Charente-Maritime
) in 1978, at the third try.
and relating the events surrounding Coluche's bid for the French presidency in 1981 was released in France in October 2008. François-Xavier Demaison plays Coluche.
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
; died June 19, 1986 in Opio, Alpes-Maritimes
Opio, Alpes-Maritimes
Opio is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France situated near Grasse.-Personalities:Coluche died in Opio at the age of 41, when his motorcycle crashed into a truck.-External links:*...
, France), better known as Coluche, was a French comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
and actor, famous for his irreverent sense of humour.
Colucci adopted "Coluche" as a stage name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
at 26, when he began his entertainment career. He became known for his irreverent attitude towards politics and the “Establishment,” and he incorporated this into much of his material. He was one of the first major comedians to regularly use profanities as a source of humor on French Television.
Youth and comic début
Michel, Gérard, Joseph Colucci was born on the 28 October 1944, several weeks after the liberation of ParisLiberation of Paris
The Liberation of Paris took place during World War II from 19 August 1944 until the surrender of the occupying German garrison on August 25th. It could be regarded by some as the last battle in the Battle for Normandy, though that really ended with the crushing of the Wehrmacht forces between the...
, in a hospital in the 14th arrondissement of Paris. His mother Simone Bouyer worked as a florist in the Boulevard Montparnasse. His father Honorio Colucci, who originally came from Lazio in Italy, was a painter and decorator. His father died in 1947 at the age of 37 from polio. This left his wife to bring up alone his two children on a meagre salary.
Coluche showed little promise at school and afterwards had various little jobs that he did not stay in for long. He joined the infantry but was imprisoned for insubordination. After returning to civil life, he worked with his mother as a florist.
At the end of the sixties he tried his luck as a singer in cafes. But this was unsuccessful so he turned to humour.
Success
In 1969, with Romain Bouteille he was present at the start of the Café de la GareCafé de la Gare
The Café de la Gare is a dinner theater located at 41, rue du Temple in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. It lies in a square hidden between Notre Dame de Paris and the historic Marais district. It was originally created in 1968 by a close-knit group of comedy actors who fixed up an old factory...
. This was the meeting place formed by a group of young comedians of which practically all the initial members were to become famous : Patrick Dewaere
Patrick Dewaere
Patrick Dewaere was a French film actor. He was born in Saint-Brieuc, Côtes-d'Armor, son of French actress Mado Maurin. His five siblings, Jean-Pierre Maurin , Yves-Marie Maurin , Dominique Maurin , Jean-Francois Maurin and Marie-Veronique Maurin Patrick Dewaere (26 January 1947 – 16 July 1982)...
, Henri Guybet, Miou-Miou
Miou-Miou
Miou-Miou is a French actress. In her career she has worked with a number of international directors, including Michel Gondry, Bertrand Blier, Yves Boisset, Claude Berri, Jacques Deray, Michel Deville, Diane Kurys, Radu Mihăileanu, Patrice Leconte, Joseph Losey and Louis Malle.-Career:She was born...
, Martin Lamotte... Amongst the patrons of the Café de la Gare were to be found : Georges Moustaki
Georges Moustaki
Giuseppe Mustacchi, known as Georges Moustaki , is a French singer and songwriter of Italo-Greek Jewish origin, best known for his poetic rhythm, eloquent simplicity and his hundreds of romantic songs...
, Raymond Devos
Raymond Devos
Raymond Devos was a Belgian-French humorist, stand-up comedian and clown. He is best known for his sophisticated puns and surreal humour.- Early life :...
, Jean Ferrat
Jean Ferrat
Jean Ferrat was a French singer-songwriter and poet. He specialized in singing poetry, particularly that of Louis Aragon.-Biography:...
, Jacques Brel
Jacques Brel
Jacques Brel was a Belgian singer-songwriter who composed and performed literate, thoughtful, and theatrical songs that generated a large, devoted following in France initially, and later throughout the world. He was widely considered a master of the modern chanson...
, Leni Escudero, Pierre Perret
Pierre Perret
Pierre Perret , is a French singer and composer. Pierre Perret resides in the city of Nangis.- Biography :...
, Jean Yanne
Jean Yanne
Jean Yanne is the artist name of Jean Gouyé, born the 18 July 1933 in Les Lilas who died the 23 May 2003 in Morsains...
. Later they were joined by Gérard Lanvin
Gérard Lanvin
Gérard Lanvin is a César Award-winning French actor. He quit his studies when he was 17 to become an actor. He took on a role in Vous n'aurez pas l'Alsace et la Lorraine in 1977 on an offer from actor Coluche. He received the Prix Jean Gabin in 1982 for his role in Une étrange affaire...
, Renaud
Renaud
Renaud, born Renaud Séchan, is a French singer, songwriter and actor.Renaud may also refer to:* Renaud , a male French given name* Renaud , a 1783 opera by Antonio Sacchini* Renaud, Quebec, part of Laval, Quebec...
, Rufus
Rufus
Rufus may refer to:People * Milan Rúfus , Slovak poet and writer* Rufus * Rufus , consul in 457* Several Saints Rufus* Rufus , French actor...
, Diane Kurys
Diane Kurys
Diane Kurys is a French filmmaker and actress. Several of her films as director are autobiographical. Born in Lyon, Rhône, France, her parents divorced when she was a child. She began as an actress with Jean-Louis Barrault's company. She gained film stardom, but didn't like the roles she was...
, Coline Serreau
Coline Serreau
Coline Serreau is a French actress, film director and writer.-Early life and education:She was born in Paris, France.In Paris, Serreau studied literature, music and theatre as well as the circus.-Career:...
, Anémone, Gérard Depardieu
Gérard Depardieu
Gérard Xavier Marcel Depardieu is a French actor and filmmaker. He is a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur, Chevalier of the Ordre national du Mérite and has twice won the César Award for Best Actor...
, Thierry Lhermitte
Thierry Lhermitte
Thierry Lhermitte is a French actor, known for his comedic roles. He was one of the founders of the comedy troupe Le Splendid in the 1970s, along with, among others, his high-school friends Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot, and Michel Blanc...
, Josiane Balasko
Josiane Balasko
Josiane Balasko is a French actress, writer and director.She was born Josiane Balašković in Paris. One of Balasko's most recognized roles among English speakers is as a lesbian in 1995's Gazon maudit...
and Gérard Jugnot
Gérard Jugnot
Gérard Jugnot is a French actor, film director, screenwriter and producer.Jugnot was one of the founders of the comedy troupe Le Splendid in the 1970s, along with, among others, his high-school friends Christian Clavier, Thierry Lhermitte, and Michel Blanc...
.
His first sketch C'est l'histoire d'un mec made into a joke, the difficulties of telling a funny story.
He quickly became a popular success, but alcohol problems forced him to leave the group.
Afterwards he founded another group : Le vrai chic parisien and it was at this time that he met his future wife Véronique Kantor. They married in 1975 and had two sons. Again his behaviour and addictions forced him to leave this group and launch his solo career.
Solo career
It was at this point that he began to dress in the outfit for which he is best known : blue striped salopettes and a yellow T-shirt.He was sacked by two radio stations for vulgarity.
Presidential bid
On October 30, 1980, Coluche organised a press-conference in the theatre where he was performing a one-man show. It was there that he announced his candidacy for the French presidential elections in 1981French presidential election, 1981
The French presidential election of 1981 took place on 10 May 1981, giving the presidency of France to François Mitterrand, the first Socialist president of the Fifth Republic....
. At first he was not taken seriously until the day the Sunday newspaper, Le Journal du Dimanche
Le Journal du Dimanche
Le Journal du Dimanche is a French weekly newspaper. It is only published on Sundays.-History:The newspaper was created by Pierre_Lazareffin 1948. It now belongs to the Lagardère Group, through Hachette Filipacchi Médias...
, published a poll on 14 December 1980, crediting Coluche with 16% of voting intentions.
He ended up dropping out of the race because of political and media lobbying following polls that showed a significant part of the electorate might vote for him. Some threats to his life were also mentioned.
In 1984 he was awarded the César Award for Best Actor
César Award for Best Actor
This is the list of winners and nominees of the César Award for Best Actor .-1970s:-1980s:-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:...
for his role in the film Tchao Pantin (1983) directed by Claude Berri
Claude Berri
Claude Berri , born Claude Berel Langmann, was one of the great all-rounders of French cinema: an actor, writer, producer, director and distributor. "Out of my failure as an actor was born my desire to direct. Then my relative failure as a director forced me to become a producer. In order to get my...
.
Restaurants du Cœur
In September 1985, he created the "Restos du cœurRestaurants du Cœur
The Restaurants du Cœur is a French charitable organisation, the main activity of which is to distribute food packages and hot meals to the needy....
" charity. This charity was launched by Coluche when he made a speech on the radio station Europe 1
Europe 1
Europe 1, formerly known as Europe n° 1, is a privately owned radio network created in 1955. It is one of the leading French radio broadcasters and heard throughout France...
. This speech is very famous and begins with the words 'I have a little idea..'. The charity collects food, money and clothes for the needy and the homeless. Each year, a fund-raising concert series is presented by various singers and celebrities, collectively known as les Enfoirés ("the assholes").
In the same month, Coluche won the world speed record for a 750cc motorbike, achieving 252.087 km/h.
Death
Less than a year later, in June 1986, Coluche died when his motorcycle crashed into a truck on a road in the commune of OpioOpio, Alpes-Maritimes
Opio is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France situated near Grasse.-Personalities:Coluche died in Opio at the age of 41, when his motorcycle crashed into a truck.-External links:*...
in southeastern France. He was 41.
This event provoked national grief and inspired the album Putain de camion
Putain de camion
Putain de camion is a studio album from French artist Renaud, released in 1988 by Virgin France.The first song, Jonathan, refers to white South African musician Johnny Clegg who became a friend of Renaud. Rouge-gorge was dedicated to Robert Doisneau and Allongés sous les vagues is a song deriding...
("fuckin' truck") by close friend Renaud
Renaud
Renaud, born Renaud Séchan, is a French singer, songwriter and actor.Renaud may also refer to:* Renaud , a male French given name* Renaud , a 1783 opera by Antonio Sacchini* Renaud, Quebec, part of Laval, Quebec...
. Some conspiracy theories have since surfaced, mainly in the book Coluche, l'accident : contre-enquête, alleging that Coluche may have been murdered.
Awards
Coluche won the César AwardCésar Award
The César Award is the national film award of France, first given out in 1975. The nominations are selected by the members of the Académie des arts et techniques du cinéma....
for "Best Actor
César Award for Best Actor
This is the list of winners and nominees of the César Award for Best Actor .-1970s:-1980s:-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:...
" for his role in Tchao pantin (So Long, Stooge
So Long, Stooge
So Long, Stooge is a 1983 film directed by Claude Berri. It is based on a novel by Alain Page.Coluche, the main actor, won the "Best Actor" award in 1984 César Award.-Plot:...
, 1983), one of his very few dramatic roles.
He also won the Prix National des Euphémismes de Charente-Maritime (National Prize for Understatements of Charente-Maritime
Charente-Maritime
Charente-Maritime is a department on the west coast of France named after the Charente River.- History :Previously a part of Saintonge, Charente-Inférieure was one of the 83 original departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790...
) in 1978, at the third try.
Film
The film Coluche, l'histoire d'un mec directed by Antoine de CaunesAntoine de Caunes
Antoine de Caunes is a television presenter, actor, writer and film director. He is the son of two prominent French personalities, television journalist-reporter Georges de Caunes and television announcer Jacqueline Joubert...
and relating the events surrounding Coluche's bid for the French presidency in 1981 was released in France in October 2008. François-Xavier Demaison plays Coluche.
Filmography as actor
- 1985 : Scemo di guerra (Madman at War)
- 1985 : Sac de noeudsSac de noeudsSac de noeuds is a 1985 French comedy film directed by Josiane Balasko and starring Isabelle Huppert.-Cast:* Isabelle Huppert - Rose-Marie Martin* Josiane Balasko - Anita* Farid Chopel - Rico Da Silva* Jean Carmet - Le pharmacien* Coluche - Coyotte...
- 1985 : Les rois du gag
- 1984 : La vengeance du serpent à plumes
- 1984 : Le bon roi DagobertLe bon roi Dagobert (1984 film)Le Bon Roi Dagobert is a 1984 French-Italian film directed by Dino Risi.-Cast and roles:* Coluche - Dagobert I* Michel Serrault - Otarius* Ugo Tognazzi - Pope Honorius and his look-alike* Carole Bouquet - Héméré...
(Good King Dagobert) - 1983 : Tchao pantin (So Long, Stooge)
- 1983 : La femme de mon poteMy Best Friend's Girl (1983 film)My Best Friend's Girl is a 1983 French comedy film directed by Bertrand Blier and starring Isabelle Huppert.-Cast:* Coluche as Micky* Isabelle Huppert as Viviane* Thierry Lhermitte as Pascal* François Perrot as The doctor* Daniel Colas as The flirt...
(My Best Friend's Girl) - 1983 : BanzaïBanzaï-Cast and roles:* Coluche - Michel Bernardin* Valérie Mairesse - Isabelle Parisse* Didier Kaminka - The cousin Paul* Marthe Villalonga - Madame Bernardin. Michel's mother* Eva Darlan - Carole, the doctor* François Perrot - The boss of 'Mondial S.O.S.'...
- 1982 : Deux heures moins le quart avant Jésus-Christ
- 1982 : Elle voit des nains partout!
- 1981 : Le maître d'école
- 1981 : Signé Furax
- 1980 : Inspecteur la Bavure (Inspector Blunder)
- 1977 : Vous n'aurez pas l'Alsace et la Lorraine
- 1977 : Drôles de zèbresDrôles de ZèbresDrôles de zèbres is a 1977 French comedy film.Two unemployed men, heavily in debt due to losses at the racetrack, are hired by a criminal mastermind to harass the guests of a hotel he hopes to purchase at a below-market price in order to access a tunnel below the building that leads directly to a...
(Funny Zebras) - 1976 : L'aile ou la cuisseL'aile ou la cuisseL'aile ou la cuisse is a 1976 French comedy film directed by Claude Zidi, starring Louis de Funès and Coluche.-Plot:Charles Duchemin is the editor of an internationally known restaurant guide...
- 1976 : Les vécés étaient fermés de l'interieur
- 1975 : Salavin (TV movie)
- 1973 : Le grand bazar
- 1973 : ThemrocThemrocThemroc is a 1973 French film by director Claude Faraldo. It was produced by François de Lannurien and Helène Vager and its original music was composed by Harald Maury. Made on a low budget with no intelligible dialog, Themroc tells the story of a French blue collar worker who rebels against modern...
- 1973 : L'an 01
- 1973 : Elle court, elle court la banlieue
- 1971 : Laisse aller... c'est une valse
- 1970 : Peau d'ÂnePeau d'ÂnePeau d'Âne is a 1970 French musical film directed by Jacques Demy. It is also known by the English titles Once Upon a Time and The Magic Donkey. The film was adapted by Demy from Donkeyskin, a fairy tale by Charles Perrault about a king who wishes to marry his daughter...
(Donkey Skin) (uncredited) - 1970 : Le pistonné