The actor Michel Dumont has died, the Théâtre Duceppe confirmed Thursday afternoon. He was 79 years old.
The actor would have died on the night of Wednesday to Thursday, surrounded by his relatives, let the QMI Agency know Jean-Simon Traversy, who succeeded Michel Dumont at the head of the Duceppe Theater in 2018, in tandem with his colleague David Laurin.
Michel Dumont had lost his wife, Manon Bellemare, to cancer in 2015, after 30 years of love. The couple had no children.
“Michel’s departure upsets us and leaves us very large shoes to put on. Throughout his career, he has carried the torch of a popular and accessible theater at arm’s length, fighting to ensure that our language and our culture take their rightful place on our stages. For the whole Duceppe team, he was an exceptional friend, role model, advisor and mentor. He will be sorely missed. We will pursue its mission with pride and gratitude ”, emphasized Jean-Simon Traversy and David Laurin on behalf of the Théâtre Duceppe.
“I consider him to be the worthy successor of my father”, for his part expressed Gilles Duceppe.
Colossal career
Born in 1941 in Kénogami (now Saguenay), the artist enjoyed a great career as an actor, playing in more than 75 plays in total. On the boards he shone in To you forever your Marie-Lou, A simple soldier, The Red Devil, In Hemingway’s shadow, The death of a salesman, etc.
He has performed more than sixty shows for the Compagnie Jean Duceppe, including 34 while he was at the head of the institution founded by his mentor, Jean Duceppe. He held the reins for 27 years (1991-2018) before giving way to Jean-Simon Traversy and David Laurin, insisting on the importance of attracting young people to theaters.
During his reign at the Théâtre Duceppe, Michel Dumont gave pride of place to Quebec works, going so far as to offer entire seasons (1997-1998 and 2009-2010) exclusively devoted to local texts. Over the years, he has programmed productions by Tremblay, Laberge, Bouchard, Galluccio, Dalpé and Dubé, among others, and as many younger and equally promising feathers. He has acted as a translator for a number of American and foreign works as well.
QMI Agency archive photo, Sébastien St-Jean
–
–
–
On television, Michel Dumont’s career has been just as colossal. We will remember his performances in The Shepherds, World race, Minister, Ladies of heart, Marilyn, Emergency, Omerta and, more recently, Providence, Yamaska and Victor Lessard. He was also on some youth programs of yesteryear (Franfreluche, Picotine).
QMI Agency archive photo, Sébastien St-Jean
–
–
–
In January 2010, Michel Dumont was honored by the National Assembly of Quebec for his commitment as spokesperson for the Société d’alzheimer Rive-Sud. On May 25, 2011, he received an honorary certificate from the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi. In 2013, he was named an Officer of the National Order of Quebec.
He was said to be a crossword lover, a great friend of cats and insatiably curious.
The Compagnie Jean Duceppe mentioned in its press release sent on Thursday that it “will invite the collaborators, friends and admirers of Michel Dumont to meet for a final tribute in the theater he has directed for so many years. Details of this event will be announced shortly ”.
–
