Julien Poulin, Quebec comedian and Elvis Gratton star, dead at 78
CBC
Quebec actor Julien Poulin, renowned for playing the role of Elvis Gratton, has died on Saturday in hospital. He was 78.
His family did not wish to disclose the cause of his death. His agent Eugénie Gaillard confirmed the news Sunday to Radio-Canada.
Born in Montreal in 1946, Julien Poulin began his artistic career in the theatre before making his film debut in 1973 in the films Tu brûles... Tu brûles... by Jean-Guy Noël and Réjeanne Padovani by Denys Arcand.
He is known for his extensive filmography, including 15 février 1839, Camion and Miraculum.
His collaboration with the pre-eminent Quebec film director Pierre Falardeau, however, changed the course of his career. In 1980, the actor co-directed the short film Speak White with Falardeau.
Above all, audiences remember him as Bob Gratton, a garage mechanic with the ambition of becoming an Elvis Presley look-alike. His alter-ego was named Elvis Gratton.
With Falardeau, the comedian created a role that was featured in multiple cult movies and a television series.
The Gratton character is both a reflection of the ills of Quebec society and a biting critique of relations between Quebec and the rest of Canada, and even the rest of the world.
In 1981, the two friends released their first short film, Elvis Gratton. Two more followed: Les vacances d'Elvis Gratton (1983) and Pas encore Elvis Gratton (1985).
From these three compiled works, a feature film was created that would go on to become a classic of Quebec comedy: Elvis Gratton : le King des kings.
Some may also remember Poulin for his role as the doorman Gaétan Langlois, also known as Vieux, in the Radio-Canada series Minuit, le soir, broadcast in the late 2000s. In 2007, this performance earned him the Gémeaux Award for best male supporting role in a drama series.
In 2013, the Montrealer received a Jutra Award, which was not his first, for best actor for his lead role in Rafaël Ouellet's film Camion.
He has starred in a hundred or so films, having recently appeared in the films Arsenault et Fils and Paul à Québec.
In a news statement published on Sunday, Poulin's agency said he "left an important imprint on Quebec culture in many ways."
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