An essential character in the Plus Belle la vie series, Michel Cordes died tragically on May 5, 2023, terrible news to which the actors of the series had to resolve, in tribute.
At 77, Michel Cordes was a popular comedian with the publiche who for 18 years portrayed the character of Roland Marci, owner of the “Mistral” barin the Plus Belle La Vie series. On Friday, his lifeless body was found at his home, plunging all the actors of the series into deep grief.
“No! I don’t want this horrible news”
Disbelief and amazement: when the actors of the series heard the news they did not want to believe it at first, like Jérôme Bertin, who played Captain Patrick Nebout between 2013 and 2022. On his Instagram account, the actor shouted his dismay “NO!!! I don’t want this awful news. I don’t want to think you’re already gone. I don’t want to mourn you. I don’t!”
For the fans of the series, as for all those who have already watched an episode of “Plus belle la vie” even once, it is indeed difficult to realize that this smiling man, although falsely grumpy, could have shot so tragically his bow. “I have the impression that tonight, all those who have known, done, watched, loved ‘Plus belle la vie’ are orphans. Michel, our national Roland, is like a dad for all of us” added Jérôme Bertin in his tribute. A feeling shared by Stéphanie Pareja, who embodied Jeanne Carmin for ten years “My Roland I’m devastated it’s horrible”she commented, under the post of Alexandre Fabre, the formidable “Charles Frémont”.
On the side of the famous Léo Castelli, camped by Pierre Martotthis news is just as staggering, especially since for many viewers and actors in the series, Michel Cordes was much more than a simple fictional character. “You were the living embodiment of something very deep in this country – that’s why people loved you so much,” reacted Pierre Martot “we are not going to lie to each other, actors who have your authenticity in life, it does not run the streets. (…) I would never have imagined that you would leave so quickly! I liked being with you, Michael.”
For him, as for others, “Through the character of Roland, millions of people have recognized in you a father, a grandfather, a friend, a brother!” It is this grandfather and friend that everyone mourns now in the big family of Plus Belle la vie, even if Jérôme Bertin prefers to keep happy memories of him. “Laugh in peace”he concluded his tribute.