In 1980, the release of the film La Boum propelled Sophie Marceau’s career. But what about the other children who played alongside him? Closer tells you more.
Directed by Claude Pinoteau, The party is a French film released in 1980. The romantic comedy features the young Sophie Marceau as Vic Beretton a 13 year old girl who wants to choose his life and his loves. If the film brought the actress to success, other child actors did not have the same career.
This is for example the case of Sheila O’Connor, who played the role of Penelope Fontanet, Vic’s best friend. After La Boum, the young girl distinguished herself in the film TEACHERS in 1985. After a complicated period, she decided to change direction by becoming author of children’s books and screenwriter.
On his side, Alexandra Gonin played Penelope’s little sister, Samantha Fontanet. If she embodied a real pest on the screen, the actress has become soloist of the ballet of the Paris Opera. A great career for the dancer who today teaches her passion. On the private side, she is the mother of Théophile, born of her union with the actor Grégori Baquet.
Finally, Laëtitia Gabrielli played Joëlle, the young girl who slaps Jean-Pierre in the film. After appearing in several sitcoms like Helen and the Boys Where The Girls Next Door, she completely changed profession. She left the sets to become landscaper and trainer.
The boys of La Boum have had different careers
Can’t talk about The party without mentioning Mathieu, Vic’s crush. Alexander Sterling, the young actor who played him, then continued his career in the cinema. He played a few minor roles and distinguished himself in erotic cinema alongside Brigitte Lahaie. After that, he tried to make a career in music, before moving towards dubbing. His voice is thus present in Band of Brothers Where The Lion King 3.
Alain Beigel was Raoul, the young boy who organized the party in the film. He appeared in a few notable movies like Blood relationship with François Cluzet or even My king by Maïwenn. He recently made headlines, traveling to Ukraine in March 2022 to join the international legion and fight the Russian invasion. After the bombing of the Yavoriv military base, he decided to return to France.
Jean-Philippe Leonard was the interpreter of Stéphane, the boy friend with everyone. The actor could have predestined himself for a great career as a director, having recorded precious moments from the shoot using his Super 8 camera. However, he decided to embark on another artistic path by becoming singer and dancer of musicals in Germany.
Finally, other child actors like Jean-Philippe Leonard who played Stéphane or Christopher Beaunay who played the role of Jean-Pierre have completely disappeared from circulation.