The death of the double Caesarized actor, notably known for his interpretation of Yves Saint-Laurent, has aroused a wave of emotions within the film industry. But also among politicians.
Amazement and state of shock in the cinema world and well beyond. Shortly after the announcement of the death of Gaspard Ulliel, who died at the age of 37 following a skiing accident in Savoie, tributes poured in on social networks. Renting a “exceptional actor” to the plural career.
Emmanuel Macron expressed this Wednesday evening his “great sadness” facing the death of the actor, welcoming a “icon of French elegance”. In a press release, the Elysée puts forward a “Television actor since childhood, then cinema, sometimes theater, icon of French elegance, he dazzled all the lenses and occupied the top of the bill for more than two decades”. “The President of the Republic and his wife deplore the sudden disappearance of this talented actor whose blue gaze was a signature of French cinema”, add the text.
Earlier today, actor Guillaume Canet posted a photo of his friend on his Instagram account, with the only caption a sober “Gaspard”, along with a black heart emoji. Same emoji on the side of the general manager of BFMTV Marc-Olivier Fogiel, who says to himself “infinitely sad”.
Pierre Niney, who had also played fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent in a competing biopic, expressed his emotion on Twitter and in an Instagram story: “Broken heart. Gaspard was benevolence and kindness. Beauty and talent.” Don’t forget to send your thoughts to the family of the deceased.
The boss of the Canal + group, historical partner of French cinema, Maxime Saada expressed his shock by recalling the brilliance with which the actor “knew how to move us and make us laugh, touch us”.
“Gaspard Ulliel and the cinema loved each other madly”
The political class has also largely reacted to the disappearance of the 37-year-old actor, winner of the César for best actor in 2017 for his remarkable role in Just the end of the world, by Canadian director Xavier Dolan. By a tweet, the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, greeted a great lover of cinema. “Gaspard Ulliel grew up with cinema and cinema grew with him. They loved each other madly, he writes. It is with a heavy heart that we will now see his most beautiful interpretations and meet this certain look. The Minister of Culture, Roselyne Bachelot, praises “his sensitivity and the intensity of his playing [qui] made Gaspard Ulliel an exceptional actor”.
In a short message, the EE-LV mayor of Grenoble, Eric Piolle addresses “all [ses] condolences to family and loved ones” of the actor. Just like LR deputy Eric Ciotti or LREM deputy Yaël Braun-Pivet. “A destiny shattered too soon”, writes the parliamentarian accompanying her message with a photo of the double Caesarized.
A few minutes later, the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo and PS candidate in the presidential election, salutes the youth and talent of the actor: “We are losing a huge actor who will have inspired so many directors. His presence will be missed in French cinema.she adds.
Update : at 9:57 p.m., with the addition of Emmanuel Macron’s reaction.