Lina Labiad
11/10/2024 at 11:22
At their friend’s funeral, many of them hid their sadness under their sunglasses. Within the Saint-Eustache church, some found the strength to speak out to honor Michel Blanc one last time… with a pinch of humor.
A most heartbreaking farewell. Thursday October 10, friends, celebrities and relatives of Michel Blanc gathered at the Saint-Eustache church, in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, for the funeral of the actor who died a week earlier, at the age of 72. Among the approximately 200 guests, his friends from Splendid – Christian Clavier, Josiane Balasko, Gérard Jugnot, Bruno Moynot and Thierry Lhermitte.
For Michel Blanc, whom she considered her “brother”, Josiane Balasko held back her tears to pay him a final tribute during a speech reported by “BFMTV”. “You who almost became a pianist, you will be able to spend your evenings playing with everyone,” she declared, referring to Michel Blanc’s great love for this instrument. “We wish you a paradise full of gourmet meals. »
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Between laughter and tears
It was then Jean-Paul Rouve’s turn to speak. The 57-year-old actor has opposite Michel Blanc on several occasions – most recently in “Les Cadors” released in 2023. “As Gérard Jugnot said: damn, Michel, what have you got us do ? “, began the French director, referring to the actor’s moving Instagram post on the evening of his friend’s death.
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“Because of you, we end up like idiots with dark glasses and handkerchiefs in a church. If there is a misunderstanding, we could end up drinking altar…”, he continued. “You left Michel, but not to the local restaurant. We miss you. »
Jean-Paul Rouve and Michel Blanc’s fiancée Ramatoulaye Diop leaving the actor’s funeral in Paris, October 10, 2024.
© AFP
Many other celebrities were present at Michel Blanc’s funeral: Dany Boon, Karin Viard, Carole Bouquet and Mathilda May… Political figures were also there with the Minister of Culture Rachida Dati and the president’s wife, Brigitte Macron . A ceremony also marked by the appearance of Michel Blanc’s very discreet fiancée, Ramatoulaye Diop, who was able to count on the support of a crowd of fans present in front of the church.
