The writer and director of Didier Kaminka, the film of French comedy, died at 81

Didier Kaminka, writer, director and actor of French comics of the 1970s and 1980s, died last Tuesday at the age of 81. He is known for his works in films such as The Grant, Banzai et Sofa bedhe left a career marked by his collaborations with films such as Coluche, Pierre Richard and Daniel Auteuil.

Born April 22, 1943 in Paris, Didier Kaminka made his debut as an actor in the 1960s before making a name for himself as a journalist. His career took a definite turn when he co-wrote I don’t know anything but I will tell everything (1973) with Pierre Richard, which paved the way for a series of successful comedies. He became a special employee of the director Claude Zidi, signed dynamic and funny dialogues for The Grant (1980) ma O Tupu o Kaka (1985).

Behind the camera, he directs Sofa bed (1990), a social comedy depicting the failure of the world of work, which was very successful. His last role on the screen was Le moe Duval (2017) by Manuel Sanchez, in which he plays a sad artist, in contrast to the comedy of his beginning.

Didier Kaminka also left his mark on film as a dialogue writer, contributing to the American adaptation of The Total! by James Cameron, will be True lies with Arnold Schwarzenegger. “I salute the memory of an actor with many talents, who contributed to the development of French comedy,” said the Minister of Culture Rachida Dati in a press release.

A tribute to Didier Kaminka will be held in Paris on Friday October 4.

Alice Leroy