An unexpected event that deeply shocked the French people. On October 3, 2024, the death of Michel Blanc was announced in the press. The Splendid troupe lost one of its iconic members. The actor known for his dry humor and often clumsy or cynical characters passed away at the age of 72, following a heart attack, after an anaphylactic shock. Naturally, all his friends from the Splendid had paid tribute to him and were visibly moved at his funeral. A ceremony that Marie-Anne Chazel did not attend.
Josiane Balasko on Michel Blanc’s death: “It was so brutal”
A year and a half later, they still carry a heavy heart whenever they recount this tragedy in the media. On Saturday, April 11, 2026, Josiane Balasko was a guest on the show 50′ Inside to discuss her 40-year career and the release of her new film, L’Arnaqueuse. During a conversation, Josiane Balasko reflected on Michel Blanc’s passing: “It was so brutal,” she regretted, noting the sudden nature of this loss, for which no one was prepared. “It wasn’t like: he was sick for 3 months and then he passed away. It was an unexpected death. It was a bit harsh for this guy who was absolutely… scared of getting sick, who underwent an examination and had a fatal allergy, it was terrible,” she lamented. Even though they were prepared to lose one of their own naturally, the shock was no less intense. “We imagined that we would leave one day, but not so abruptly, and not so soon,” she added, still mourning following this tragedy.
Death of Michel Blanc: the tribute that will be paid to the actor
In front of the cameras, Josiane Balasko explained how this loss had changed the relationships between the Splendid actors, who decided to “see each other more often.” In fact, a WhatsApp group was created to bring together all the actors, sadly named “The Splendid -1.” A loss that continues to leave a big void in the minds of his friends but also of all the French people. “I believe there will be a place with Michel’s name soon,” she also indicated, specifying that it will be “in Paris, certainly.” A symbolic tribute that will definitively etch the memory of Michel Blanc into the Parisian landscape.
