Michel Modo

Biography

Michel Modo, originally named Michel Henri Louis Goi, was a celebrated French actor and comedian born on March 30, 1937, in Carpentras, Vaucluse. He passed away on September 25, 2008, in Vaires-sur-Marne due to cancer.

Modo gained national fame in the late 1950s when he formed a comedic partnership with fellow actor Guy Grosso, known as Grosso et Modo. They became a beloved duo in French cinema, frequently appearing alongside the legendary Louis de Funès in films, particularly in the popular "Gendarmes de Saint Tropez" series, where Modo portrayed Constable Berlicot, sharing the screen with notable actors like Michel Galabru and Jean Lefebvre. Their theatrical talent also shone in Jean-Christophe Averty's adaptation of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," where they took on the roles of Laflûte and Quince.

From 1993 to 1997, Modo showcased his comedic flair on the television series "Highlander," portraying Maurice Lolande, a character representing the quintessential Frenchman. In December 2005, he joined the cast of the long-running series "Plus belle la vie," playing a bumbling philosopher disguised as Santa Claus.

Additionally, Modo lent his voice to several recurring characters in the French version of "The Simpsons." Tragically, he passed away at 71 while working on the dubbing of season 19, leaving behind a legacy that was briefly continued by Gérard Rinaldi, who also succumbed to cancer in 2012.