Myriam Boyer, a celebrated actress at 76, reflects on her illustrious career, including her role in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” where she faced aggressive behavior from co-star Niels Arestrup. She recounts being wrongfully accused by him, describing his intimidating presence on set and detailing a troubling incident that led to her abrupt dismissal from the theater. Boyer’s experience sheds light on the darker aspects of their collaboration, contributing to her successful lawsuit against Arestrup.
Myriam Boyer: A Legendary Talent in Acting
At the age of 76, Myriam Boyer continues to shine as a prominent figure in the acting industry. Her journey began in the late 1960s when she was discovered by the acclaimed Agnès Varda at just 17 years old. She quickly made her mark on the stage and transitioned to screen roles, captivating audiences with her performances. By the early 1970s, she became a household name, particularly recognized for her appearances in iconic series like “Les Enquêtes du commissaire Maigret.” Myriam’s talent did not go unnoticed; she received a César nomination for Best Supporting Actress and earned the prestigious Molière award for Best Actress in 1997 for her remarkable performance in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Beyond her achievements, she is also celebrated as the mother of Clovis Cornillac, a talented actor who recently starred in the hit film “A Little Something Extra.” On January 30, 2024, Myriam was a guest on “Chez Jordan,” hosted by Jordan de Luxe, where she reminisced about her illustrious career and shared some of her challenging experiences on set.
Controversial Memories from the Stage
During her extensive run in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Myriam Boyer portrayed the character of Martha alongside the late Niels Arestrup. Known for his remarkable performances in films like “A Prophet” and “See You Up There,” Arestrup also had a notorious reputation for his aggressive behavior towards co-stars. Reflecting on her experience, Myriam described him as “terrifying on set.” She recounted an incident where he had her removed from the Gaieté-Montparnasse theater after their 54th performance, accusing her of misconduct while exhibiting violent tendencies himself. Myriam revealed that Niels often became so immersed in his roles that it led to inappropriate behavior. “When I say he mistreats, he mistreats,” she emphasized, shedding light on the darker side of their collaboration.
Her ordeal escalated when she faced accusations from Arestrup, who claimed she had committed “three serious faults.” In reality, it was his actions that were alarming, including attempts to strangle her and physical threats in her dressing room. Myriam described the situation as horrendous, noting that she was dismissed from the theater without an opportunity to defend herself. “I was fired overnight,” she explained. Arestrup attempted to justify his behavior by alleging that Myriam had twisted his thumbs, but she asserted that she merely removed his hands from her neck during his attack. This pivotal moment contributed to her successful lawsuit against him, as there was no medical evidence to support his claims. Notably, this was not the first time Arestrup faced allegations; he had previously been accused of similar misconduct by Isabelle Adjani during their collaboration on “Miss Julie by Strindberg.”