“If I am diagnosed…”: At 77, Michel Jonasz talks about the end of his life, frank confidences

A little gone, a little lame? Certainly not. At 77 years old, Michel Jonasz is simply in great shape. With a 55-year career under his belt, in song, television, theater andacting, he has never been so present. He is also starring in the film. Retirement home 2by Claude Zidi Jr, which was released in France on Wednesday February 14, 2024. But retirement is an idea that seems very absurd to him: “You will never see me in a nursing home!“, he assures in the columns of the newspaper The Sunday Tribune.

“Old age is in the head, it’s having this feeling of no longer progressing”, underlines Michel Jonasz. “And I’m not programmed for that. I was born with the certainty that life will bring me beautiful things. Of course, today I have a little less hair and a little more weight, but I maintain the same optimism as when I was 10 years old. My only fear is that I no longer have the physical or cerebral means to match my enthusiasm. But I remain hopeful, my mother lived to be 94 years old with her whole head!“

He actually grew up with quite an example! And it is with a playful, almost childish spirit that he approaches his career. The filming of Retirement home 2 ? He has very funny memories of it, notably thanks to his colleague Jean Reno: “It’s true that we took advantage of the canteen!“, he remembers. Of course, time passes and the artist thinks about the future. In particular the debates about a law allowing the French to die with dignity. But it is with optimism, always, that he apprehends the question.”I have always had faith and I believe in miracles”, he assures. “Even if one day I am diagnosed with Charcot’s disease, for example, I will continue to believe in it. I will try to do as much spiritual work as possible.. One thing is certain, I will not go to Switzerland or Belgium...”

Find the interview with Michel Jonasz in the newspaper La Tribune on Sunday February 18, 2024.