At 87 years old and despite major health concerns, Jean Lapointe came to celebrate the 40e anniversary of the Maison and the Jean Lapointe Foundation, Wednesday evening. Masked and moving in a wheelchair, the chic actor was surrounded by several members of his family and many friends.
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Jean Lapointe has had rather serious health problems for nearly ten years (stroke, cancer, stays in CHSLDs). Challenges he describes in detail in the new part of his biography crying. Because the book, which was launched 27 years ago, has just been enhanced with a more current fourth part entitled Memories.
His state of health did not prevent the actor from making a rare public outing for this ceremony in honor of the four decades of Maison Jean Lapointe; a place that has welcomed 40,000 people in 40 years and has done prevention work with a million young people since 2004.
“I have had difficult years […], he whispered into the microphone held out to him. Thanks to the Gray Sisters [*à qui appartenait le bâtiment abritant la Maison Jean Lapointe], because if it hadn’t been for them, we wouldn’t be there. From the bottom of my heart, I want to say a big thank you. Thank you for those that this organization has helped, it is perhaps what I am most proud of, even if I am only the instigator. »
Collect memories
Photo QMI Agency, Toma Iczkovits
Pierre Karl Péladeau was present Wednesday evening alongside Jean Lapointe.
Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor, emphasized the great friendship between Jean Lapointe and his father, Pierre Péladeau. A mural of the great comedian was also unveiled on a wall in the backyard of Maison Jean Lapointe.
Photo QMI Agency, Toma Iczkovits
The actor Benoit Brière signs the preface to the biography Pleurires.
The actor Benoit Brière, who wrote the preface to crying, was also part of the party. He also took the opportunity to reveal to the Log that he and Jean Lapointe are working on a joint film project. “There will be something, I promise! »
“My father is still very funny, despite all that he can go through and wanted there to be touches of humor in his biography,” explained to the Log Anne Elizabeth Lapointe, who helped her father collect his memories to write his biography. She touted her dad’s optimism, positivism and quality of always being grateful. “I am blessed to have him still alive. »
Excerpt from the biography Pleurires of Jean Lapointe
“Awards and Tributes
During my career, I have been rewarded in many ways.
First of all by my public, which explains my long career.
And also by my peers and by the industry.
I make a point of saying that I never ran after the prices and the tributes. I don’t do this job to receive it. As I tell you, my reward comes first of all from the people who attended my shows and who bought my albums. My fans, as they say.
However, receiving an award is always a pleasure, and in 2010 and 2011, I received several in a short space of time.
In June 2010, the Association of Cinema and Cineparc Owners of Quebec (APCCQ) awarded me the Bobine d’or for my entire film career at the organization’s annual dinner.
The same year, I won two Jutra awards: the one for the best supporting actor for Robin Aubert’s film À l’origine d’un cri and the Tribute award for my entire film career.
Two prizes to honor me? I said to myself :
“So, do they know something that I don’t?” They must have found that I was getting old and that I shouldn’t be around for long!
And yet, I would still like to play in the cinema if the opportunity presented itself. When I had health concerns, Benoit Brière approached me to play in a short film. But it was impossible for me. I had just had a stroke. But I wouldn’t hate being on a film set.
You know, despite everything, I remained young in spirit and in heart.
Today, I lead a comfortable life. Mercedes takes care of me as if I were a little old man. What am I saying, I’m a little old man! I would like to live to be 93. I want to take advantage of the time I have left. Spend beautiful and good times with my family and friends. Recently, we found a shadow on one of my lungs, but it’s stable. And I can’t have any more treatments.
So death, I look it in the face and I say to it: “Not right away. You’ll come back to see me when I’m 93. »
Until then, I continue to apply the way of life of the
Alcoholics Anonymous: One Day at a Time. And live 24 hours at a time.”
