On June 24, on the stage of the prestigious Comédie-Française, two men were particularly smiling: Jamel Debbouze – yet tired by the energy spent a few days earlier during the 10 years of Marrakech du rire – and Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière. Both attended the final of the 2022 edition of the Improv Trophy of the Culture & Diversity Foundation. An event that they would not have missed for anything in the world, they who became friends 12 years ago, through a common vision.
It’s in Paris Match that Jamel Debbouze (47) confided in his unexpected friendly relationship with one of the richest men in France, Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière (81). The artist salutes his “charisma, her beaugossitude, the blue of her eyes, this Ardèche phlegm… And common laughter, its valves“. But, beyond this personal description, it is also and above all the commitment of the billionaire boss of Fimalac towards young people in difficulty that echoed in him. “And then this foundation that bears this evocative name, Culture & Diversity, these battle horses that we both ride, often together, each in our own way the rest of the time.“, adds Jamel.
Through his foundation, Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière wants to give back to those who have not succeeded like him. He is thus committed to young people in difficult neighborhoods, in the four corners of France. “What’s the point of success if you don’t commit to serving the city?“, he said thus at the microphone the evening of the final of the Trophy.
But, over the years, Jamel Debbouze and Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière have forged a real friendship that goes beyond the simple framework of associative commitment. The businessman, who speaks of the artist as his “pal“, describes between them a “human and beautiful relationship“. The comedian and actor goes in the same direction: “We talk about all the topics that real friends talk about (…) spending time with him is cool, if you knew him, it would seem natural to you to be his friend. He’s funny, grumpy and easy as the homies are.“Between these two, it is a novel of friendship whose pages are written day after day.
Paris Matchedition of June 30, 2022.