Guy Marchand, actor, singer and emblematic figure of French cinema and song, has left us at the age of 86. His rich and varied career placed him at the heart of France's cultural heritage. In a statement, his children said he"passed away peacefully this Friday [...] at the Cavaillon hospital".
Born in Paris in 1937, Guy Marchand first achieved success in song with La Passionata in 1965, followed by several hit albums and singles. His performance of Destinée in 1982, for the films Les Sous-doués en vacances and Le père Noël est une ordure, remains a classic. In addition to his passion for tango, he also shone in the cinema, notably in Boulevard du rhum (1971) alongside Lino Ventura and Brigitte Bardot, and won the César for Best Supporting Actor in 1982 for Garde à vue. He is also known for his role in the TV series Nestor Burma.
Beyond his artistic career, Guy Marchand was a man of many talents and passions. He practiced parachuting, boxing, horse-riding, polo and motor sports. He also published several novels, including Un rasoir dans les mains d'un singe in 2008 and Le Soleil des enfants perdus in 2011, the latter winning the Prix Jean Nohain in 2012.
His private life has been just as eventful as his career. Married to actress Béatrice Chatelier, with whom he had two children, he later married Russian-born model Adelina Khamaganova. Despite an eventful life, in 2019 he revealed that he was broke, partly due to his passion for cars. Guy Marchand leaves behind an important cultural legacy, marked by his undeniable talent, versatility and charisma.
