A legend has fallen. The great clown master, Philippe Gaulier, has left us at the age of 82, but his impact on the world of theatre and comedy will forever be etched in our memories. Gaulier, a mentor to some of the most renowned names in entertainment, has passed on, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire and shape future generations.
Gaulier's death, caused by complications from a lung infection, marks the end of an era for the École Philippe Gaulier, the school he founded in France. This institution, now based in Étampes outside Paris, has been a breeding ground for talent, producing stars like Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, and Emma Thompson. These artists, and many more, owe their success in part to the unique and influential teaching methods of this master clown.
But here's where it gets controversial... Gaulier's teaching style was famously brutal and honest. He believed in pushing his students to their limits, often using harsh words and insults to break them down. Comedian Phil Burgers, known for his silent clown persona, Doctor Brown, described his time at the school as a period of extreme suffering. Yet, it was through this suffering that something inside them cracked, allowing them to begin their journey into comedy.
Gaulier's approach to teaching was unique. He encouraged his students to "find your idiot," a phrase that might seem strange to outsiders. He believed that by donning a red clown nose, students could reconnect with their inner child, a crucial step in the art of clowning. This method, though unconventional, produced remarkable results, with many of his students going on to achieve success at prestigious comedy festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe.
Born in Nazi-occupied Paris, Gaulier's journey was anything but ordinary. He trained to be a dramatic actor but discovered that even in tragic roles, audiences laughed. This led him to study under master mime artist Jacques Lecoq, whose training focused on mask work, improvisation, and, of course, clowning. Gaulier specialized in a comic style called bouffon, a satirical take on clowning that emphasized the grotesque. However, at his school, he taught a broader approach to clowning, inspiring comic actors like Roberto Benigni.
Sacha Baron Cohen, a student of Gaulier's, described him as "the funniest man I've ever met." Helena Bonham Carter echoed this sentiment, calling him "a hilarious man with a real sense of pathos." Rachel Weisz even credited her work with Gaulier for her performance in the film "The Lobster."
The Guardian's comedy critic, Brian Logan, visited Gaulier's school in 2016 and described him as a "grizzled, straggle-haired man" who looked every bit the "clown guru." Yet, Logan also found humor and warmth behind Gaulier's blunt statements and volleys of abuse.
Gaulier's influence extended beyond comedy. He was a teacher of performance art in its broadest sense, offering courses in Greek tragedy, Shakespeare, Chekhov, melodrama, and masked play. He believed in giving his students the tools to excel in theatre, leaving it up to them to decide their path afterward.
His training has shaped countless clowns, comedians, and actors, including Simon McBurney, whose theatre company Complicité was inspired by Gaulier. Other notable students include Julia Garner, Eryn Jean Norvill, and Tom Walker.
After suffering a stroke in 2023, Gaulier retired from full-time teaching. However, his philosophy lives on through the classes taught by his graduates.
He is survived by his wife and former student, Michiko Miyazaki Gaulier, who now runs the day-to-day operations of École Philippe Gaulier.
And this is the part most people miss... Gaulier's impact wasn't just about the stars he mentored. It was about the art of clowning, a form of performance that challenges us to find humor in the everyday, to embrace our inner child, and to push the boundaries of what we think is possible. So, as we mourn the loss of this great clown guru, let's also celebrate his life and the legacy he leaves behind. Rest in peace, Philippe Gaulier. Your spirit lives on through the laughter you inspired.
