Fans of Michel Côté have been lining up in front of the national monument since this morning to pay their last respects to their idol, who died of bone marrow cancer on May 29 at the age of 72.
Louise Arpin and Alexandre Laverdière traveled from Sainte-Adèle and Rawdon respectively to visit the Ardent Chapel. The two cousins met in Montreal last night to be among the first to arrive at the national monument, even before the doors opened.
“It’s a great talent, a great actor, that Quebec is losing. We really wanted to be here to honor him so we got there early. He’s a very humble person who made Quebec laugh a lot,” says Louise Arpin.
His cousin, meanwhile, wanted to move to welcome Michel Côté’s family, whom he knows personally and who have worked in their home tending their property.
“The family hurts me a lot, I come to pay my respects to them. “It was a great shock to learn of his departure,” explains Alexandre Laverdière.
Photo Sarah Emilie Nault
Louise Arpin and Alexandre Laverdiere
Luc Dufour, Michel Côté’s cousin, also came to the Ardent Chapel early on in “solidarity” with the actor’s family.
“I got to know his brothers Denis and Sylvain better, with whom I spent my childhood in the country. Obviously we’ve heard a lot about Michel; my aunt talked to us a lot about him when she came to our house, about his roles in the theatre, about the development of his career. It was always in humility,” he says.
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Luc Dufour, cousin of Michel Côté
Actor Luc Senay was visibly moved when he arrived at the national monument.
“There are people who are extremely important in our lives. Michel is one of them, at least in mine. I never thought who would leave us. It’s a bit like Michel Louvain; I thought they were forever. We are rich.” “Anyone who has met Michel will tell you: he is an extraordinary man who was lucky,” he says.
Photo Raphaël Gendron-Martin
Actor Luc Senay
Actor and boxer Deano Clavet worked alongside Michel Côté on the sets of Omerta and Montreal, Open City, among others.
“I want to thank him for being nice. He was good; when he wasn’t on stage, he could step out of character and be Michel Côté, and then step back into character on the next take,” he says.
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Comedian and boxer Deano Clavet
Paul Dion gave Michel Côté the answer several times, most notably in The Afterlife and In the Belly of the Dragon.
“We’re the same age, so it’s a monumental loss. It really touched me because I really admired Michel and everything he was: his humility and his generosity. He united you,” he says.
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Comedian Paul Dion
Upon arriving at the National Monument, Winston McQuade insisted on highlighting Michel Côté’s “simplicity” to the media present.
“Whether on a personal or professional level, he was always his own equal. Michel was an authentic being, a remarkable being, a being who I think has done a lot to define our culture here in Quebec,” he said.
Photo Raphaël Gendron-Martin
Winston McQuade
According to actress Sylvie Potvin, Michel Côté leaves “a lot of joy” to his family and colleagues.
“He was a good colleague. I shot with him in From Father to Cop 2, his good humor and unifying side were exceptional. I’m here to see family, but also to collect myself. We need these rituals; during “The pandemic cut us off from that. It’s time to say thank you to those people we saw on TV when we were little,” she says.
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The actress Sylvie Potvin
For Geneviève Schmidt, visiting the Ardent Chapel was “the least of it”.
“He’s an extraordinary actor. We did a few scenes together and he gave me confidence. He’s a generous, touching, funny person… We all dream of being like him, with his kindness and heart in the right place. Quebecers, we.” I want to be close to the actors who make us laugh and cry. That’s what we’re seeing here in the audience today,” she said.
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Actress Genevieve Schmidt
In addition to collaborating with Michel Côté on the film From Father to Cop, actor Patrice Coquereau also worked with Véronique Le Flaguais for six seasons of the Rumeurs series.
“He was a gentleman of great talent, great humility and generosity. We all have egos in this job, but his humanity preceded ego,” he says.
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The actor Patrice Coquereau
The meeting between Michel Côté and Linda Sorgini goes back to the 1980s, the two actors gave the answer in the cult film Cruising Bar.
“I’m the one who put the Tabasco in the glass for the discerning! We see each other since then. I’m no longer friends with Véronique, but Michel was still there. It’s a shock. We don’t. “I don’t expect a man in this good shape to go that fast,” she said.
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Actress Linda Sorgini
Simon Boulerice met Michel Côté in 2019 as part of the National Day celebrations.
“I gave the patriotic speech and he was the speaker. I have such fond memories of him. He was very enveloping. He was unpretentious, lovable. He had an open heart, he was connected to the world. He liked to talk,” he explains.
Photo Sarah Emilie Nault
Author Simon Boulerice
More details to come