Imaginative and talkative, Sam-Éloi Girard plays the roles of Manu in The Runaway and Etienne in Luck. The 19-year-old, who grew up on film sets, has an infectious passion for his profession that we wish him to pursue as long as Michel Charette, one of his acting partners, whom he adores!
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Viewers will say goodbye to Sam-Éloi in a few weeks The Runaway and your character Manu. How does that make you feel?
It makes me sad, I don’t want it to end. Manu is a character that opened a lot of doors for me because he was the first role I got in a mainstream series. It’s also the first role I’ve landed that contains a wide range of emotions, ranging to aggressiveness. He allowed me to show that I was able to play it even though some people doubted it. How lucky I got to play it until the final season!
Photo: Yan_Turcotte / Yan Turk
What will happen to him?
Slowly we will see how Manu develops without becoming too wise or responsible overnight. Manu has a past that will haunt him throughout his life. He is both impulsive, joking and a little “uncle”. Just because he’s growing up doesn’t mean he’ll speak international French! This winter, we prepare for his exit from L’Échappée and his life after.
You’re back in the second season of the jolly comedy Luck. What happens to your character from Etienne?
We’re pushing the character of Étienne a little further this year by delving more into his past and mysteries. As the awesome teenager Nono seen always on his phone in the first season, we also examine his intelligence more. He’s still just as lazy, but shows a good side that allows him, for example, to earn money with ease.
KARINE LEVESQUE
Is he still in love with the beautiful Manon?
Throughout the season, Étienne will spend quite some time trying to explain what kind of ‘2023’ relationship he has with Manon without putting a label on her…
You’re shooting with Michel Charette, an ace of comedy. What is your relationship with him?
There is incredible chemistry between Michel and me! I have a feeling he recognizes aspects of his youth in me. We became friends. I feel close to him and we talk about everything and nothing. I trust him enough to confide in myself when the need arises. I also have great admiration for his work. Watching him work makes me want to be like him.
Photo: KARLJESSY / VAT
What surprises you about his work?
He’s so professional! This guy has the job ahead of him, but he always arrives on set ready. He is humble and good to everyone. On Fridays he even pays for the beer. He’s a generous man!
It’s impressive such a connection despite their age difference!
Yeah, and when we start messing around together we look like two 14 year olds with no filter. Before our graduation party he visited my hairdresser (Meddexx) and we both came to the party freshly shaved! As I get older, my relationships with adult actors change. I also get along really well with Sandrine Bisson, who plays my character’s mother in Le Bonheur. Before it rolls, she looks like she’s scattered all over the place, and once the camera rolls, she’s perfectly in place. You impress me! Being a bit brusque in the mornings, I love to relax and listen to her tell her little stories in the makeup room.
You’ve been acting in front of the camera since you were little… When you’re 19, do you sometimes dream of anonymity?
I’ve always told myself that recognition is part of the job and since I love my job, that doesn’t bother me. Growing up in front of the camera is also a part of me. However, lately I’ve noticed that I need more contrast between my personal life and my professional life. During my teenage years I spent a lot of time on the fabulous Family Councils series, so much so that a lot of people thought I was just Clovis. I’ve been told in life and at work, “Oh, he changed little Clovis!”. I was never Clovis, I’m Sam-Éloi!
Your tattoos confirm this more personal side…
Getting a tattoo is exactly a decision I made for myself and not for the actor. Tattoos have fascinated me since my childhood and I found it important to make my wish come true. Growing up, I devoted time, travel, and socializing to my craft. I have no regrets but I have chosen not to sacrifice this desire to have tattoos. They form a puzzle that tells of moments in my life.
Are you afraid that it will prevent you from getting certain roles?
I know it can happen and I fully accept it. So far I’ve worked with gold teams who have agreed to hide my tattoos or apply makeup if they don’t suit my characters. However, I try to avoid it in certain strategic places, e.g. B. near the hands or face. Shooting is teamwork and mutual help, it would not be very generous of me to constantly burden the make-up artists with extra work. But I’m not done yet, I know there will be more tattoos to come! (laughs)
KARINE LEVESQUE
And apart from filming, what are you aiming for?
I want to keep playing for young audiences as much as I do for the general public, but I’d also like to dabble in animation.
You no longer live with your parents. How are you?
I first rented an apartment right in downtown Montreal and lived the life that comes with it! Having been thinking about this for a while, I decided to buy one a year ago. I chose to own a condo in Longueuil because I had a lot more room for my money than in Montreal. It is very good, very bourgeois, but above all I see this purchase as an investment. I would like to move to the country someday.
And how is your little roommate Jean-Georges the ferret?
He is doing very well! He adores me and I adore him. I even got it tattooed! As soon as I change rooms in the house, he follows me at a trot. When I open a new door, it’s like he’s discovered a wonderful kingdom, even though he’s entered that room 100 times. However, I have to watch him closely because he is much smarter than you think, a ferret. For example, he discovered a trap door in my closet. He picked her up and started frolicking in my wall!
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The RunawayMonday 8 p.m., on TVA. LuckWednesday 9:30 p.m., on TVA.
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