He is one of the greatest French comedians. Happy dad, a career full of success, and very appreciated by the French, this did not prevent Gad Elmaleh
to experience alcohol problems. Indeed, in a long interview given to Telerama this Monday, April 8, 2024, the father of Raphaël and Noé returned to this dark period when he went to the United States.
Because yes, after having enjoyed enormous success in France, the 52-year-old comedian decided to try his luck on the other side of the Atlantic. “When I think that I went to the United States to excel, to be loved, when I have everything here”he first recalled with regret before explaining that this desire came to him because he felt a “need to get out of [sa] comfort zone”.
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Gad Elmaleh sinks into alcohol despite his dream life
During his long stay in the United States, Gad Elmaleh rubbed shoulders with the greatest. From Jerry Seinfeld to Chris Rock, via Jimmy Fallon’s talk show… even if rubbing shoulders with these celebrities can be a dream, the comedian has “I quickly realized that that’s not what matters.”
“Doing Jimmy Fallon’s talk show, thinking of being in the firmament of your life for these twelve minutes, without being able to share it with your loved ones who, due to the time difference, sleep on the other side of the Atlantic, is d ‘a sadness to cry’he laments to our colleagues.
Saved by a program
A sad observation which partly led him to fall into alcohol: “So I went back to the Comedy Club to try out jokes – especially since I was drinking at the time. And it was even worse.” To get out of this bad situation, Gad Elmaleh had to follow a program.
“It was called Just for Today, based on an Alcoholics Anonymous book that said: ‘If someone asks you if you’ve stopped drinking, say ‘just for today.’ a life'”, he later reveals. Today, the comedian may have gotten his head above water but admits that he doesn’t yet know if he “will do another show”.