“I didn’t see him for 35 years”, the actor talks about his father, who died suddenly, and their reunion

This week, French cinema was very affected by the death of Michel Blanc, at the age of 72, following a heart attack. This October 6, 2024, a program highlighted two other French actors. Frédéric Lopez in fact received in A Sunday in the Country the singer Coeur de pirate but also Clovis Cornillac, who confided in his mother (a famous actress), and Michel Leeb, who returned to his father, who disappeared overnight.

Becoming a grandfather in 2023 thanks to his daughter Elsa, the comedian spoke about his childhood in the famous attic of the France 2 magazine. After listening to his comrades, he described his first years, with a father strict Alsatian engineer and a more fanciful mother. It was at the age of 10 that he witnessed their divorce, and he will go 35 years without seeing his fatherbefore finding him in surprising circumstances.

Michel Leeb: his father’s abandonment at the age of 10

Overnight, Michel Leeb’s father disappears. He left to live in the United States and gave no further news: “I haven’t seen him for 35 years”. This separation is difficult at first: “At the time, his absence was a painful absence, physically”. But they were so loved and supported by their mother, “entirely devoted to her children” that according to him, “we didn’t suffer much”. He even admits that his father impressed him “by his ability to renounce his family”.

The actor then explains that he was always encouraged by those close to him to imitate others, whether it was the doctor or the baker, and that he took a liking to it. He taught himself the piano because as soon as there were constraints, he got stuck and was unable to take lessons. But he passes the baccalaureate, which he obtains after the fourth time to please his mother. The latter wanted him to have baggage: “Clowning on stage is not a job”. And he became passionate about philosophy and became a teacher. But his fanciful methods caused him to lose his job, and it was natural that he turned to comedy.

Unusual reunions on stage

After a first appearance on television with Guy Lux and sketches that worked, Michel Leeb built a great career: 200 galas per year for 20 years, opening for Julio Iglesias (who wanted to take him to Argentina), and an apprenticeship. with Charles Aznavour. And it was during his first Olympia that he thought about his father and invites him. The latter comes to see him play but leaves the room, understanding nothing, and drinks a bottle of white wine backstage. On his way back, he enters the wrong door and enters the stage, while his son is facing the audience. He sits down near the drummer and the actor sees him when he turns towards his musicians.

An astonishing reunion which continued behind the scenes. In his dressing room, they meet Michel Leeb’s mother and her companion at the time. He describes the scene: “Dad, this is Mom. Mom, this is dad”. And when his mother comes out, his father turns to him and says “Can I ask you a question? How can you wear a green blazer with a navy blue scarf?”. “It’s like it was back in 1940,” says Clovis Cornillac. “It’s crazy. It’s ugly. He was always in love”.

Editor for Aufeminin since 2022, Charlotte is passionate about cinema, French and international, and a fortune reader. Curious about everything, she talks as much about personalities as…