Son of the famous actor Gérard Jugnot, Arthur Jugnot had a childhood marked by the separation of his parents and a special relationship with his father. Between weekends at Dad's and early independence, a look back at the journey of the actor who forged his character but also his career in this atypical context.
“We didn't live together”: Arthur Jugnot grew up without his father Gérard, his words about his childhood and their relationship
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“The piece was an absolute hit and above all, it was very pleasant to play [avec Arthur]very strange, and then It allowed me to be around him a little more and to know him a little better in his adulthood because we don't see each other very much in the end.. So there we saw each other. It was nice”. On November 9, at the microphone of RFM, Gérard Jugnot released these few words about the piece Kiwi Dayin which father and son found each other. Words which at first glance could be surprising.
This December 2, 2024, Arthur Jugnot celebrates his 44th anniversary. How is it possible, one may wonder while reading these lines, that a father needs “know a little better“his child at that age?
Arthur Jugnot: his childhood marked by the absence of a father
In 2023, a confession by Gérard Jugnot in Liberation gave a first indication. “We don't see each other outside anymore, he confided, but let's talk a little before the performances. Maybe I'm a better father in fiction than I was in real life. Enough in any case to have transmitted the comedy virus.” A sentence like a confession which is ultimately not surprising when we delve into the family history of the Jugnots…
The story of Arthur Jugnot is the fruit of an idyll. Gérard Jugnot, the famous actor from Splendid, and Cécile Magnan, a costume designer, met in the 1970s. Together, they had a son, Arthur, born on December 2, 1980. Like all the children of the ball, this baby will grow in a special environment between two parents who are not always present, tossed around by their careers. That of Gérard Jugnot, in particular.
Between 1980 and 1990, that is, in the first ten years of his son's life, the actor will scour the sets and tour 21 films. A huge figure when we know that a shoot lasts several months during which the actors are often away from home.
If these feature films have become classics for many like Santa Claus is trash, Grandpa resists, Pinot simple flic, Scout Always that television broadcasts and rebroadcasts, this cinematic frenzy has had a strong impact on family life. Especially since a separation will come complicate the situation even more…
The break between Gérard Jugnot and Cécile Magnan: a decisive turning point for Arthur
In an article published in March 2023, Paris Match returned to this breakup by explaining that Arthur was only 5 years old when his father and mother took diverging paths. Like thousands of children of divorce, the little boy will experience the vicissitudes of shared custody. A situation which means that he will only see his father every other weekend and during the holidays as reported in the newspaper.
What Arthur Jugnot, in this same article, summarized in one sentence: “We didn't live togetherbut when we got together we did lots of activities, climbing, karting, canyoning, etc.” We understand better then that the father and son established a bond marked by a certain distance.
Gérard Jugnot himself, in an interview for TV Star in 2021, confided that their relationship had been “complicated, even conflicting” during Arthur's early years. His total commitment to his career and the separation from Arthur's mother undoubtedly exacerbated the difficulties of a father-son relationship which, even when everything is going well, is always potentially explosive The member of Splendid also fully admitted it in this same interview. TV Starhe conceded: “I separated from his mother, and it was probably difficult for him.“
Arthur, however, probably did not suffer too much from it, he who Paris Match revealed not to have “felt empty during (his) childhood“.
Gérard Jugnot admiring his son’s success
Today, in a burst of independence, the son has found his way, without ever denying his roots. The passion for theater and comedy is in him, whether as an actor or director. His work is recognized and respectedas evidenced by his career in the theater with creations that are both popular and demanding, notably The Cardboard (2004), Me, me and François B. (2008), The Dot on the i (2012) or even Scottish Syndrome (2016).
As for his father, Gérard, who found love again with Patricia Campi, his wife since 2016, he is now proud of his son “He has now amply proven his talent”he admitted, a year ago in the columns of TV Star. “Above all, he had the intelligence not to completely follow my steps“added the actor.
From stage to life: Arthur Jugnot, a father in his turn
At 44, Arthur Jugnot, for his part, is no longer just a son, he is now also a father to Célestin, born in 2013 to his former love with actress Cécilia Cara. The theater enthusiast does not hesitate to talk about his role as father. Based on his own experience, he is aware of the task facing him. “I hope my son doesn't feel what I felt at his age. He has a great mother, and I do my best to be there.”he declared in Paris Match.
Even if Célestin is also a child of divorce since his father and the singer are separated, Arthur Jugnot, now married to actress Flavie Péan, takes care to offer him a balance between professional and family life. Determined to pass on to his descendant the comedy “virus”.
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