Actor and former director of the Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Montréal, Benoît Dagenais, died suddenly on June 27 in Montreal at the age of 71.
A graduate of the Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Montréal in 1977, Benoît Dagenais taught there from 1993, and then served as director of this theatre school from 2012 to 2023. At the same time, he continued his acting career in theatre, as well as on the big and small screen.
The theatre community mourns the loss of a unifying artist and a very competent teacher. “Benoît Dagenais, my friend and accomplice for 50 years. My deepest condolences to his family and to the countless comrades and students who had the chance to rub shoulders with this very talented actor and this upright, fair and deeply human teacher. I still can’t believe it…”, wrote actor Carl Béchard on Facebook.
On television, the actor was in the cast of Montreal PQ, Watatatow, Fortier, Eden Museum, The Grumpy Ones, A hard time, Rock and Rolland, The Whole Truth, 30 Livesas well as several youth series.
On stage, Dagenais has participated in more than 80 productions. Let us mention The Lower Depths, Caravanserai, The Taming of the Shrew, The Three Sisters And Peaceful HotelHe was involved in the distribution of the creation of numerous Quebec texts at Espace Libre and Espace Go, at the Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui and at Quat’Sous.
PHOTO VALÉRIE REMISE, PROVIDED BY THE PRODUCTION
In the room Caravanserai, Benoît Dagenais (left) with Paul Savoie.
In cinema, he was directed by Pierre Falardeau in the films The Party And February 15, 1839. He was also part of the cast of Jack Paradisee, New France, Instant idol…
Mr. Dagenais is survived by his partner, actress Anne-Marie Provencher, and their daughter Ève Provencher-Dagenais.