Coluche

Michel Colucci (October 28, 1944 – June 19, 1986), better known as Coluche, was a famous French comedian.

Life and career

Colucci adopted "Coluche" as a stage name at 26, when he began his entertainment career. He became known for his irreverent attitude towards politics and the “Establishment,” and he incorporated this into much of his material.

Presidential bid

He attempted to run in the French presidential elections in 1981, but ended up dropping out of the race because of political and media lobbying following polls that showed a significant part of the electorate might vote for him. Some threats to his life were also mentioned.

Restaurants du Cœur

He created the "Restos du cœur" charity in 1985. They collect food, money and clothes for the needy and the homeless.

Death

His death in 1986 in a motorcycle accident provoked national grief.

Awards

Coluche won the César Award for "Best Actor" for his role in Tchao pantin (So Long, Stooge, 1983).

Famous quotes

In a dictatorship you're told: "Shut up!". In a democracy it's: "Whatever..."
A neutral country is one which does not sell weapons to a country at war; unless it pays cash.
God said: let's share. The rich will get enough to eat, and the poor will have appetite.
Just because there are so many of them being wrong doesn't mean they're right. (on Democracy)
I know I look stupid, but I owe it much to the uniform. (posing as a cop)
Some people get a kid just because they can't afford a dog.
Society didn't want us? Well, it can rest assured that we don't want it either!
Long term credit means that the less you can pay, the more you pay.
Death: if you're hit, you'd better make fun of it; if you're not, there's no reason not to make fun of it.
Communism is one of the few grave diseases we didn't try on animals first.
Psychiatrists are very efficient: I used to pee in my bed and be ashamed of it. I went to see a psychiatrist and now I'm cured. Now I pee in my bed but I'm proud of it.
I'm not a nouveau riche, I'm a former poor.
Of all those who have nothing to say, the best are those who keep quiet.
They say the crisis is making the rich richer and the poor poorer. I can't see how that's a crisis.
Politicians are to Politics what Holes are to Cheese. More cheese means more holes. But more holes means less cheese.
They say that the poor are the good guys and the rich are the bad guys. Everyone wants to be bad.
The speed of light is faster than the speed of sound, which is why sometimes people look bright until they start talking.
I'm not a racist : my dog is black

External link

Official website (in French)

1944 births | 1986 deaths | French actors | Italian-French people