
Le Splendid is a
café-théâtre
Originally, a café-théâtre was a small room in a café or a cabaret, or even the café or cabaret itself, where people would put on Performance, spectacles. These spectacles were mostly unconventional or of limited means, and could range from o ...
company founded by a collection of writers and actors in the 1970s -
Christian Clavier
Christian Jean-Marie Clavier (; born 6 May 1952) is a French actor, screenwriter, film producer and director. He became widely popular after starring in two hit comedy series: Patrice Leconte's ''Les Bronzés'' and ''Les Visiteurs'' directed by Je ...
,
Michel Blanc
Michel Blanc (born 16 April 1952) is a French actor, writer and director. He is noted for his roles of losers and hypochondriacs. He is frequently associated with Le Splendid, which he co-founded, along with Thierry Lhermitte, Josiane Balasko, ...
,
Gérard Jugnot
Gérard Jugnot (; born 4 May 1951) is a French actor, film director, screenwriter and film 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 Cl ...
,
Thierry Lhermitte
Thierry Lhermitte (; born 24 November 1952) is a French actor, director, writer and producer, best known for his comedic roles. He was a founder of the comedy troupe ''Le Splendid'' in the 1970s, along with, among others, Christian Clavier, Gérar ...
(four childhood friends who knew one another from the
Lycée Pasteur in
Neuilly-sur-Seine
Neuilly-sur-Seine (; literally 'Neuilly on Seine'), also known simply as Neuilly, is a commune in the department of Hauts-de-Seine in France, just west of Paris. Immediately adjacent to the city, the area is composed of mostly select residentia ...
),
Josiane Balasko
Josiane Balasko (born Josiane Balašković; 15 April 1950) is a French actress, writer, and director. She has been nominated seven times for César Awards, and won twice.
Career
One of Balasko's most recognized roles among English speakers is ...
,
Marie-Anne Chazel
Marie-Anne France Jacqueline Chazel (born 19 September 1951) is a French actress, screenwriter and director, who has been active in both film and television since 1974.
Biography
Chazel was born to actress Louba Guertchikoff (birth name Lou ...
,
Bruno Moynot
Bruno Moynot (born 20 December 1950, in Bois-Colombes, Hauts-de-Seine, France ) is a French actor and theatre director.
Part of the famous French comedy group Le Splendid, he is best known for his roles in Patrice Leconte's ''Les Bronzés'' ...
and Claire Magnin.
The members of the company went on to become some of the most significant actors and directors in French cinema from the 1980s onwards and have collectively won many César awards.
Anémone
Anne Bourguignon (; 9 August 1950 – 30 April 2019), known professionally as Anémone (), was a French actress, filmmaker and political activist. She took her stage name in 1968 from the title of her film debut in Philippe Garrel's ''Anémone' ...
,
Dominique Lavanant
Dominique Lavanant (born 24 May 1944) is a César Award-winning French film and theatrical actress. She is known for her comedy skills especially with posh and distinguished characters like Rosalind Russell's; characters often defined by the ad ...
and
Martin Lamotte
Martin Lamotte (born 2 June 1947) is a French actor, comedian and director. He participated in several films alongside Le Splendid
Le Splendid is a café-théâtre company founded by a collection of writers and actors in the 1970s - Christi ...
have often worked with the troupe on stage and in films, but are not part of the collective. The café-théâtre was located in the rue des Lombards in the
4th arrondissement of Paris
The 4th arrondissement of Paris (''IVe arrondissement'') is one of the twenty arrondissements of the capital city of France. In spoken French, this arrondissement is referred to as ''quatrième''. Along with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd arrondissement ...
.
Members
Principal members
*
Josiane Balasko
Josiane Balasko (born Josiane Balašković; 15 April 1950) is a French actress, writer, and director. She has been nominated seven times for César Awards, and won twice.
Career
One of Balasko's most recognized roles among English speakers is ...
*
Michel Blanc
Michel Blanc (born 16 April 1952) is a French actor, writer and director. He is noted for his roles of losers and hypochondriacs. He is frequently associated with Le Splendid, which he co-founded, along with Thierry Lhermitte, Josiane Balasko, ...
*
Marie-Anne Chazel
Marie-Anne France Jacqueline Chazel (born 19 September 1951) is a French actress, screenwriter and director, who has been active in both film and television since 1974.
Biography
Chazel was born to actress Louba Guertchikoff (birth name Lou ...
*
Christian Clavier
Christian Jean-Marie Clavier (; born 6 May 1952) is a French actor, screenwriter, film producer and director. He became widely popular after starring in two hit comedy series: Patrice Leconte's ''Les Bronzés'' and ''Les Visiteurs'' directed by Je ...
*
Gérard Jugnot
Gérard Jugnot (; born 4 May 1951) is a French actor, film director, screenwriter and film 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 Cl ...
*
Thierry Lhermitte
Thierry Lhermitte (; born 24 November 1952) is a French actor, director, writer and producer, best known for his comedic roles. He was a founder of the comedy troupe ''Le Splendid'' in the 1970s, along with, among others, Christian Clavier, Gérar ...
Collaborators
*
Anémone
Anne Bourguignon (; 9 August 1950 – 30 April 2019), known professionally as Anémone (), was a French actress, filmmaker and political activist. She took her stage name in 1968 from the title of her film debut in Philippe Garrel's ''Anémone' ...
*
Dominique Lavanant
Dominique Lavanant (born 24 May 1944) is a César Award-winning French film and theatrical actress. She is known for her comedy skills especially with posh and distinguished characters like Rosalind Russell's; characters often defined by the ad ...
*
Bruno Moynot
Bruno Moynot (born 20 December 1950, in Bois-Colombes, Hauts-de-Seine, France ) is a French actor and theatre director.
Part of the famous French comedy group Le Splendid, he is best known for his roles in Patrice Leconte's ''Les Bronzés'' ...
*
Martin Lamotte
Martin Lamotte (born 2 June 1947) is a French actor, comedian and director. He participated in several films alongside Le Splendid
Le Splendid is a café-théâtre company founded by a collection of writers and actors in the 1970s - Christi ...
Theatre
*''Je Vais Craquer''
*''Ma Tête est Malade ''
*''Le Pot de Terre Contre le Pot de Vin''
*''Bunny's Bar ou Les Hommes Préfèrent Les Grosses''
*''Amours, coquillages et crustacés'' (stage version of the film ''
Les Bronzés
''French Fried Vacation'' (french: Les Bronzés, link=no, ) is a cult French comedy film directed by Patrice Leconte. The film satirizes life resorts such as Club Med. It is one of many films by the French comedy group Le Splendid. Josiane Bala ...
'')
*''
Le Père Noël est une ordure
''Santa Claus Is a Stinker'' or ''Le père Noël est une ordure'' is a French comedy play created in 1979 by the troupe Le Splendid and turned into a film directed by Jean-Marie Poiré in 1982.
Plot
Pierre, a stuffy and self-righteous volunteer ...
''
Filmography
* 1978 : ''
French Fried Vacation
''French Fried Vacation'' (french: Les Bronzés, link=no, ) is a cult French comedy film directed by Patrice Leconte. The film satirizes life resorts such as Club Med. It is one of many films by the French comedy group Le Splendid. Josiane Ba ...
'' directed by
Patrice Leconte
Patrice Leconte (; born 12 November 1947) is a French film director, actor, comic strip writer, and screenwriter.
Life and career
Leconte grew up in Tours, and began making little amateur films at 15. He went to Paris in 1967 and studied at Insti ...
* 1979 : ''
French Fried Vacation 2
''French Fried Vacation 2'' (''Les Bronzés font du ski'') is a classic 1979 French comedy directed by Patrice Leconte.
It is a sequel to ''Les Bronzés'' (1978), and it was followed by '' Les Bronzés 3 : Amis pour la vie'' (2006).
Plot
Th ...
'' directed by
Patrice Leconte
Patrice Leconte (; born 12 November 1947) is a French film director, actor, comic strip writer, and screenwriter.
Life and career
Leconte grew up in Tours, and began making little amateur films at 15. He went to Paris in 1967 and studied at Insti ...
* 1982 : ''
Santa Claus Is a Stinker
''Santa Claus Is a Stinker'' or ''Le père Noël est une ordure'' is a French comedy play created in 1979 by the troupe Le Splendid and turned into a film directed by Jean-Marie Poiré in 1982.
Plot
Pierre, a stuffy and self-righteous volunteer ...
'' directed by
Jean-Marie Poiré
Jean-Marie Poiré (; born 10 July 1945) is a French film director, and screenwriter. He is the son of the producer Alain Poiré.
Filmography
As director
* ''Les petits câlins'' (''The Little Wheedlers'') (1978)
* ''Retour en force'' (''Return i ...
* 1983 : ''
Gramps Is in the Resistance
''Gramps Is in the Resistance'' or Papy fait de la résistance is a French war comedy film directed by Jean-Marie Poiré in 1983.
Plot
Héléna Bourdelle, a.k.a. "La Bourdelle", is a world-renowned opera singer and the wife of maestro André Bou ...
'' directed by
Jean-Marie Poiré
Jean-Marie Poiré (; born 10 July 1945) is a French film director, and screenwriter. He is the son of the producer Alain Poiré.
Filmography
As director
* ''Les petits câlins'' (''The Little Wheedlers'') (1978)
* ''Retour en force'' (''Return i ...
* 1994 : ''
Dead Tired
''Dead Tired'' (french: Grosse Fatigue) is a 1994 French comedy film directed by Michel Blanc. It was entered into the 1994 Cannes Film Festival.
Plot
Michel Blanc is a great film actor. However, he has been accused of sexually abusing actress ...
'' directed by
Michel Blanc
Michel Blanc (born 16 April 1952) is a French actor, writer and director. He is noted for his roles of losers and hypochondriacs. He is frequently associated with Le Splendid, which he co-founded, along with Thierry Lhermitte, Josiane Balasko, ...
* 2006 : ''
French Fried Vacation 3
''French Fried Vacation 3'' (french: Les Bronzés 3: Amis pour la vie, ; released in some English-speaking countries as ''Friends Forever'') is a 2006 French comedy film, and the sequel to ''Les Bronzés'' (1978) and ''Les Bronzés font du ski'' ...
'' directed by
Patrice Leconte
Patrice Leconte (; born 12 November 1947) is a French film director, actor, comic strip writer, and screenwriter.
Life and career
Leconte grew up in Tours, and began making little amateur films at 15. He went to Paris in 1967 and studied at Insti ...
Individually each member of Le Splendid has had a successful career, collectively comprising hundreds of films and plays.
Box-office
Movies starring one or all members of the Splendid with more than a million of ticket sales.
*
Christian Clavier
Christian Jean-Marie Clavier (; born 6 May 1952) is a French actor, screenwriter, film producer and director. He became widely popular after starring in two hit comedy series: Patrice Leconte's ''Les Bronzés'' and ''Les Visiteurs'' directed by Je ...
play in 25 movies over a million of entries. The films in which he played has sold 122 167 881 ticket.
*
Thierry Lhermitte
Thierry Lhermitte (; born 24 November 1952) is a French actor, director, writer and producer, best known for his comedic roles. He was a founder of the comedy troupe ''Le Splendid'' in the 1970s, along with, among others, Christian Clavier, Gérar ...
play in 29 movies over a million of entries. The films in which he played has sold 109 850 038 ticket.
*
Gérard Jugnot
Gérard Jugnot (; born 4 May 1951) is a French actor, film director, screenwriter and film 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 Cl ...
play in 33 movies over a million of entries. The films in which he played has sold 105 415 238 ticket.
*
Josiane Balasko
Josiane Balasko (born Josiane Balašković; 15 April 1950) is a French actress, writer, and director. She has been nominated seven times for César Awards, and won twice.
Career
One of Balasko's most recognized roles among English speakers is ...
play in 26 movies over a million of entries. The films in which she played has sold 78 534 082 ticket.
*
Michel Blanc
Michel Blanc (born 16 April 1952) is a French actor, writer and director. He is noted for his roles of losers and hypochondriacs. He is frequently associated with Le Splendid, which he co-founded, along with Thierry Lhermitte, Josiane Balasko, ...
play in 21 movies over a million of entries. The films in which he played has sold 69 400 706 ticket.
*
Marie-Anne Chazel
Marie-Anne France Jacqueline Chazel (born 19 September 1951) is a French actress, screenwriter and director, who has been active in both film and television since 1974.
Biography
Chazel was born to actress Louba Guertchikoff (birth name Lou ...
play in 16 movies over a million of entries. The films in which she played has sold 60 138 655 ticket.
Awards
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Festival (; french: link=no, Festival de Cannes), until 2003 called the International Film Festival (') and known in English as the Cannes Film Festival, is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films o ...
César Award Cesar, César or Cèsar may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
* ''César'' (film), a 1936 film directed by Marcel Pagnol
* ''César'' (play), a play by Marcel Pagnolt
* César Award, a French film award
Places
* Cesar, Portugal
* C ...
Thierry Lhermitte
Thierry Lhermitte (; born 24 November 1952) is a French actor, director, writer and producer, best known for his comedic roles. He was a founder of the comedy troupe ''Le Splendid'' in the 1970s, along with, among others, Christian Clavier, Gérar ...
and
Marie-Anne Chazel
Marie-Anne France Jacqueline Chazel (born 19 September 1951) is a French actress, screenwriter and director, who has been active in both film and television since 1974.
Biography
Chazel was born to actress Louba Guertchikoff (birth name Lou ...
have never been nominated for a
César Award Cesar, César or Cèsar may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
* ''César'' (film), a 1936 film directed by Marcel Pagnol
* ''César'' (play), a play by Marcel Pagnolt
* César Award, a French film award
Places
* Cesar, Portugal
* C ...
.
Josiane Balasko
Josiane Balasko (born Josiane Balašković; 15 April 1950) is a French actress, writer, and director. She has been nominated seven times for César Awards, and won twice.
Career
One of Balasko's most recognized roles among English speakers is ...
is the most awarded with 2 César and
Michel Blanc
Michel Blanc (born 16 April 1952) is a French actor, writer and director. He is noted for his roles of losers and hypochondriacs. He is frequently associated with Le Splendid, which he co-founded, along with Thierry Lhermitte, Josiane Balasko, ...
, the most nominated with 8 nomination.
European Film Awards
The European Film Awards (or European Film Academy Awards) have been presented annually since 1988 by the European Film Academy to recognize excellence in European cinematic achievements. The awards are given in 19 categories, of which the most ...
Golden Globe Awards
The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of t ...
Lumières Award
The Lumières Award (french: Lumières de la presse internationale) is a French film award presented by the ''Académie des Lumières'' to honor the best in the French language, French-speaking cinema of the previous year. The awards ceremony is ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Splendid
Theatres in Paris
Cinema of France