On the boards, on the small and big screen, Michel Côté has played characters that captured the imagination of Quebecers. Here are 15 important roles played by this pillar of the artist colony, who passed away on Monday May 29 at the age of 72.
• Also read: Actor Michel Côté has died at the age of 72
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Gervais Beaulieu, CRAZY
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, Michel Côté offers a touching and memorable interpretation of a father who doesn’t really know how to deal with a gay son, played by Marc-André Grondin.
Pierre Gautier, omerta
Courtesy of Photo/Radio Canada
On television, Michel Côté did an excellent job as this policeman who had to deal with the high-ranking officers of the Mafia, a role he reprized in the film adaptation of the series.
Jean-Jacques/Gérard/Patrice/Serge, Cruising bar
One of Michel Côté’s great achievements throughout his career was bringing to life these four pathetic seducers in a film that will become one of the cult films of our cinematography.
Robert Piche, Piché, between heaven and earth
Michel Côté not only lent his traits to the man Quebecers consider a hero for saving the lives of 306 people by landing a crashed plane, but also matched his son Maxime Le Flaguais in the credits.
Sharp, brew
Photo archive, QMI Agency
The unforgettable mustachioed fireman and the biggest theatrical hit in Quebec history. With his friends Marc Messier and Marcel Gauthier, Michel Côté slipped into the clothes of Broue’s characters more than 3,000 times over the course of 38 years. Phenomenal.
Jacques Laroche, From father to cop
Michel Côté, alongside Louis-José Houde, once again immersed himself in a father-son dynamic, this time under the guise of humor in this film by Émile Gaudreault, which remains one of the biggest hits with the public to this day. The Cinema of Quebec.
jean lou, The Little Life
In theatre, cinema and television, Michel Côté has been involved in all major hits with the public. He didn’t have any of the leading roles in “La petite vie,” but every time he appeared on screen, his Jean-Lou stole the show.
Germain Dagenais, My daughter, my angel
One word comes to mind when we think of Michel Côté in the film Ma fille, mon ange: overwhelming. The actor embodies a father willing to do anything to prevent his daughter (played here by Karine Vanasse) from making her debut in the porn industry.
Roger Gendron, The sense of humor
Only Michel Côté was able to bring the character of Roger Gendron, a serial killer with ambitions to become a comedian, to life so convincingly. This suggestion, unusual to say the least, allowed the actor to reconnect with Louis-José Houde two years after “From Father to Policeman” – apparently a successful tandem.
François, In the moonlight
Michel Côté made his big screen debut in 1983 as an albino night owl, directed by André Forcier. Her role in the film “Au clair de la lune” stimulated the imagination and at the same time sparked a successful career.
Marcel Mentha, The Wyoming Wind
Eleven years after Au clair de la lune, the actor reunited with director André Forcier for Le vent du Wyoming. This co-production between Quebec and France attracted many European film lovers to Michel Côté when the film was released in France.
The DR Paul Lacasse, In front of the front door
Michel Côté proved his talent for transcending genres with On the Threshold, his first foray into horror. We will remember his Dr. Paul Lacasse, a disaffected psychiatrist in charge of treating a horror novelist (Patrick Huard) who attempted suicide.
bozo, In the dragon’s belly
Comedy, drama and sci-fi come together to showcase the talent of Michel Côté and Rémy Girard in the now cult film In the Belly of the Dragon. An imaginative epic carried at a distance by two exceptional actors.
Marcel Talon, The last tunnel
Filmmaker Érik Canuel asked Michel Côté to play famed criminal Marcel Talon in The Last Tunnel. Flanked by a great Jean Lapointe, the actor shone in this true story about five accomplices attempting the heist of the century to steal a whopping $200 million.
Gilles Gervais, life after love
Michel Côté injected great flair and tone into this light comedy about a man who is dumped by his partner of the last 20 years. A great comedic performance from the actor, coupled with an obvious – and delightful – complicity! – with his playing partner Sylvie Léonard.