Throughout his acting career, Gildor Roy, the brother of Luc Roy, Yvon Roy and the singer and actress Maxim Roy, whom he adores, was often the supporting actor who found a way to make his mark.
He owned a baseball club in the Dominican Republic, where he met his 31-year-old wife, Ingrid Rodriguez, whom he describes as a very beautiful woman and the source of happiness in his life.
They come from Abitibi.
I was born in Cadillac, a mining town that sits on a bend between Rouyn and Val-d’Or. The population varied between 500 and 3000 people depending on whether the mine was open or not.
Your father lied about his age.
He lied about his age to join the army. After ending his military career, he became chief of police at Cadillac, which allowed him to meet his future wife, Marguerite.
The soap opera White allowed you to relive your mother’s childhood.
My mother is from La Motte in Abitibi. She was born in a log cabin, just like in the soap opera.
You were under a lot of pressure to bear your father’s name, Gildor Sr.
It was an enormous pressure for me. I had no right to disappoint my father, I had to make him proud.
Her father shaped Rigaud.
My father was mayor of the former commune from 1977 to 1979, mayor of the former city from 1991 to 1995 and mayor of Rigaud from November 1995 to January 1996. Now do you understand the tremendous pressure I felt to bear my father’s name? ?
You witnessed the rivalry between Sorel and Tracy.
My father worked for Hydro-Québec and was assigned to Sorel for two years. I was 8 years old, the young people who came from other regions had to apply to the young Sorelois.
Luckily you had your two brothers.
My brothers often came to my rescue. Eventually the guys from Sorel accepted me into their group.
They describe themselves as “gentleman farmers”.
We lived on a farm in the Rigaud region, where I did the hay, the draft and the many other chores that were part of daily farm life. When your father, a former boxer, told you you had to get to the train or the hay, there was no question of disagreeing.
Did you enjoy your life on a farm?
I’d rather say that when the family sold the farm I got bored with it. I really enjoyed my first job as a packer at Metro in Rigaud.
Life on a farm has helped you in your life as an actor.
I’d rather have my make-up done at 6 a.m. than take the train to a farm.
They were a goalkeeping family.
Imagine my father, my brother and I were goaltenders in different hockey leagues in the same season. I can assure you the hockey gear was always damp and wet.
Your father made your goalie masks.
At the time, these were face masks. I was and still am a Bruins and Bobby Orr fan so my mask looked like Gerry Cheevers from the Bruins. Even today, whenever Serge Savard talks about my favorite player, Bobby Orr, I get chills.
Patrice Bergeron welcomed you into the Bruins dressing room.
Before the game in Boston I met the famous Rene Rancourt who sang the national anthem. At the end of the game, a companion asked me to follow him. Suddenly I find myself in front of the Bruins locker room. The door opens and Patrice Bergeron greets me: “Mr. Roy, welcome to the Bruins locker room. »
Were you a good student in school?
Yes, except for math, I did it. I also acted in plays directed by my colleague at the Collège Bourget in Rigaud, Marc Labrèche. At 13, after delivering my first text, I realized I was destined to be an actor.
Your father’s reaction?
He simply replied, “I’m glad you’re becoming an actor, but now it’s time to train. »
Where did you spend the summer holidays?
We camp at Lake Ontario and at various locations in Quebec. The highlight of our vacation was seeing our family in Abitibi.
You drove without a license.
On the farm I regularly drove tractors, trucks and other vehicles without my driver’s license. I also got my driver’s license when I was 22.
They still have two autographed balls from the Expos.
Mr. Labbé, a Rigaud resident, was a security guard for the Expos at Jarry Park. One day he invited the family to an Expos game. Here I am on the field not far from the batting cage and so close to the players. When they returned to the locker room, I was waiting for them with two balls that they signed for me. Collector and magician Alain Choquette still wants the autographed balls from the 1974 edition today.
You liked playing baseball.
I have so many fond memories to tell you the Little League Baseball Oath. (He repeated the oath to me.)
Country music is a family tradition.
I discovered my passion for country music while roasting corn on the farm.
A beautiful moment that you would like to share with us?
Every time my kids, Luis, William or Mahalia, call me “Dad” and my grandkids call “Grandpa”.
