Actress Michèle Bernier draws strength from her family’s legacy of humor, inherited from her father, Georges Bernier, a renowned humorist. Despite enduring personal tragedies, including the loss of her parents, she embraces laughter as a coping mechanism. Michèle’s vibrant career continues as she prepares to portray twin sisters in an upcoming play, reflecting her belief in the importance of joy and resilience, especially as she ages and celebrates the spirit of empowered women.
Embracing Laughter Through Pain
Actress Michèle Bernier possesses a unique ability to laugh at her own wounds, a trait she inherited from her father, Georges Bernier. Known as ‘Professor Choron,’ he was a beloved humorist and a joyful anarchist, co-founding the iconic satirical publications *Hara-Kiri* and *Charlie Hebdo*. Tragically, Michèle also has personal connections to the cartoonists Cabu and Wolinski, who were victims of the devastating attack on Charlie Hebdo a decade ago.
A Legacy of Humor and Resilience
Michèle fondly recalls her father as “a first-class anarchist,” acknowledging his fearless approach to humor, which often led to legal battles. “He was a man without concessions,” she states, reflecting on the challenges her father faced with censorship and bans that plagued his work. Growing up, Michèle felt the weight of her father’s reputation. “I was a bit the devil’s daughter,” she reveals, remembering how some of her friends’ parents forbade them from visiting her home due to misconceptions of chaos and danger.
Her upbringing, influenced by both her father and her mother, Odile Vaudelle, who contributed to the family’s satirical ventures, was filled with humor and creativity. “My father always said, ‘There is no humor in any dictatorship,'” she recalls, emphasizing the importance of laughter in their lives. Despite her parents often being preoccupied with work, Michèle never felt neglected; she understood the demands of their professions.
However, life took a tragic turn when Michèle faced the loss of both parents—her mother’s suicide in 1985 and her father’s death in 2005. “It paralyzed my vocal cords. I couldn’t speak anymore,” she shares, describing the intense grief that accompanied these simultaneous bereavements. A psychologist helped her navigate this heavy emotional landscape, explaining that her silence was a direct result of such profound loss.
Throughout her journey, Michèle found solace in her career. In 1982, she joined *Le Théâtre de Bouvard*, where she met Bruno Gaccio, the co-author of *Les Guignols de l’info*, and the father of her two children. Their relationship, though it ended in 1997 while she was pregnant with her son, has since settled into a calm partnership over the years.
As a testament to her resilience, Michèle staged a play inspired by a comic book, *Le Démon de midi*, which tells the story of a man leaving his wife for a younger woman. “It wasn’t simple, but I was eager to move forward,” she reflects, embodying her personal philosophy: “If I have to be sad, I might as well look cheerful!”
Now, at 68 and a grandmother of two, Michèle remains vibrant and active in her career. She is set to return to the stage on January 29 at the Théâtre de Paris in *Lily et Lily*, where she will portray twin sisters—an exciting challenge that captivates her. “As I age, I need flamboyance,” she expresses, celebrating the spirit of “free women” who transcend age and continue to bring joy and vitality into the world.