Michel Galabru.

Michel Louis Edmond Galabru

Michel Galabru — Actor

Born 27 Oct 1922 Safi

Died 4 Jan 2016 Paris, France

Citizenship France

Would Be 103 yr If Living

7 min read

Reading time

1,318

Words

Jun 19, 2026

Published

244

Film credits

1

Book

9

Awards

TL;DR

Michel Galabru won the César Award for Best Actor in 1977 for The Judge and the Assassin. He co-starred with Louis de Funès in the Gendarme comedies. He appeared in Subway, La Cage aux Folles, and Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar. He died in Paris on 4 January 2016 at age 93.

Identity & family.

KIN · 6

Names, aliases, and relatives of Michel Galabru — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Michel Louis Edmond Galabru

Aliases Michel Falabru de la Comédie Française, Michel Galabru de la Comédie Française, Monsieur Galabru

PARENTS: Paul Galabru
SPOUSES: Claude Etevenon Annette Jacquot
CHILDREN: Jean Galabru Emmanuelle Galabru
SIBLINGS: Marc Galabru

At a glance.

STATS

Michel Galabru by the numbers — life, work, and family.

93 Years lived

244 Film credits

1 Book

9 Awards

2 Marriages

2 Children

Who was Michel Galabru?

BIOGRAPHY

Michel Galabru — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Galabru was born on 27 October 1922 in Safi, French Morocco, where his father Paul Galabru worked as an engineer constructing the port city. The family moved to France when he was seven. He attended the Lycée Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague and later trained at the Conservatoire national supérieur d’art dramatique in Paris, preparing him for his acting career.

Career

In 1964, Galabru played Jérôme Gerber opposite Louis de Funès in Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez. The comedy was a huge success and led to a series of gendarme films.

In 1977, he won the César Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Joseph Bouvier in The Judge and the Assassin. He later appeared in Subway 1985 and La Cage aux Folles 1978, and played Abraracourcix in Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar 1999.

Personal life

Galabru was married twice: first to Annette Jacquot and later to Claude Etevenon, the niece of actress Micheline Dax. He had two children: a son Jean Galabru and a daughter Emmanuelle Galabru. His brother Marc Galabru also pursued a career in the arts.

Legacy

Galabru’s career spanned more than six decades. His gendarme comedies with Louis de Funès are still watched by French audiences. He received the Commander of the National Order of Merit and the Molière Award for Best Actor. He died in Paris on 4 January 2016 at age 93.

Filmography.

FILMS · 244

Browse the complete filmography of Michel Galabru — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

Champs-Elysées

1982
TV

Sacrée Soirée

1987
TV

Vivement Dimanche

1998
TV

Room 101

1994
TV

Nulle Part Ailleurs

1987
TV

Midi Première

1975
TV

Le Grand ÉChiquier

1972
TV

Les Rendez-vous Du Dimanche

1975
TV

Spécial Cinéma

1974
TV

Numéro Un

1975
TV

Bref

2011
TV

Coucou C'est Nous !

1992
TV

Stars 90

1990
Movie

Asterix and Obelix Vs. Caesar

1999

Could not load more credits.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 9

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Michel Galabru — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres
22nd Molière Awards
Prix du Brigadier
Medal of the City of Paris
Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit
César Award for Best Actor
César Award
Commander of the National Order of Merit
Molière Award for Best Actor

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 1

Michel Galabru's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Je L'ai Perdue Au 18

by Michel Galabru

Did you know?

FACTS · 6

Little-known facts about Michel Galabru — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Co-starring with Louis de Funès in a series of gendarme comedies made Galabru a household name in France.
Galabru won the César Award for Best Actor in 1977 for his role as Joseph Bouvier in The Judge and the Assassin.
For his first seven years, Galabru lived in Safi, Morocco, while his engineer father worked on the city’s port construction.
He studied at the Conservatoire national supérieur d’art dramatique in Paris, a state drama school.
Galabru was the father of Emmanuelle Galabru and Jean Galabru.
His second wife Claude Etevenon is the niece of actress Micheline Dax and the mother of Emmanuelle Galabru.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 28

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Michel Galabru.

When was Michel Galabru born?

Michel Galabru was born on 27 October 1922 in Safi, French Morocco. This date is confirmed in his official biography.
Where was Michel Galabru born?

Michel Galabru was born in Safi, then part of the French Protectorate of Morocco. Today Safi is a city in modern Morocco. He spent his early childhood there.
When did Michel Galabru die?

Michel Galabru died on 4 January 2016 in Paris, France. He was 93 years old. His death was widely reported in French media.
How old was Michel Galabru when they died?

Michel Galabru was 93 years old at the time of his death on 4 January 2016. He lived a long life spanning nearly a century.
Where did Michel Galabru die?

Michel Galabru died in Paris, France. He passed away in the city where he had lived much of his adult life.
How did Michel Galabru die?

Michel Galabru died of natural causes in Paris on 4 January 2016. Natural causes refer to age-related illness, and he was not hospitalized prior.
What is Michel Galabru's real name?

Michel Galabru’s full birth name is Michel Louis Edmond Galabru. He used the stage name Michel Galabru throughout his career.
What does Michel Galabru do for a living?

Michel Galabru was an actor and writer. He worked primarily in film and television, and also wrote for the screen occasionally.
What nationality is Michel Galabru?

Michel Galabru was a French citizen. He was born in French Morocco but held French nationality and lived in France for most of his career.
What language does Michel Galabru speak?

Michel Galabru’s native language was French. He spoke French in all his film roles and was a native speaker.
Who are Michel Galabru's parents?

Michel Galabru’s father was Paul Galabru, an engineer who worked on port construction in Safi. His mother’s name is not widely reported.
Who is Michel Galabru married to?

Michel Galabru was married twice: first to Annette Jacquot and later to Claude Etevenon. Claude is the niece of actress Micheline Dax and the mother of Emmanuelle Galabru.
Does Michel Galabru have children?

Yes, Michel Galabru had two children: a son Jean Galabru and a daughter Emmanuelle Galabru. Emmanuelle became a public figure like her father.
Does Michel Galabru have any siblings?

Yes, Michel Galabru had one sibling: a brother named Marc Galabru. Marc’s career is less documented.
Where did Michel Galabru go to school?

Michel Galabru studied at the Lycée Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague and the Conservatoire national supérieur d’art dramatique in Paris. These institutions provided classical training for his acting career.
What awards has Michel Galabru won?

Michel Galabru received numerous awards, including the César Award for Best Actor in 1977, the Molière Award for Best Actor, and the Commander of the National Order of Merit. He also won the Prix du Brigadier and the Medal of the City of Paris.
How many awards has Michel Galabru won?

Michel Galabru won at least nine major awards, including a César and a Molière. This count includes national orders and festival prizes. His César win in 1977 was a career highlight.
What is Michel Galabru best known for?

Michel Galabru is best known for his role in the Gendarme comedies with Louis de Funès. He also appeared in Subway, La Cage aux Folles, and Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar.
What is Michel Galabru's height?

Michel Galabru stood at 5 feet 8 inches 1.73 meters. This height was typical for French actors of his generation.
What aliases did Michel Galabru use?

Michel Galabru was also known as Michel Falabru de la Comédie Française, Michel Galabru de la Comédie Française, and Monsieur Galabru. These aliases reflected his association with the Comédie-Française.
What is the name of Michel Galabru's first wife?

Michel Galabru’s first wife was Annette Jacquot. They were married before his second marriage. Annette is not as publicly known as his second wife.
What is the name of Michel Galabru's second wife?

Michel Galabru’s second wife was Claude Etevenon. She is the niece of actress Micheline Dax. Claude is the mother of Emmanuelle Galabru.
What film starring Louis de Funès did Michel Galabru appear in?

Michel Galabru co-starred with Louis de Funès in Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez 1964. This was the first of several gendarme comedies together. Their partnership was highly successful in France.
What role did Michel Galabru play in Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez?

In Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez, Michel Galabru played Jérôme Gerber, a gendarme. This role launched the popular series of comedies.
What was Michel Galabru's role in Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar?

In Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar 1999, Michel Galabru played Abraracourcix, the chief of the Gaulish village. He brought his comedic timing to the beloved character.
What was Michel Galabru's role in Subway?

In Subway 1985, directed by Luc Besson, Michel Galabru played Le Commissaire Gesberg. The film was a cult classic of French cinema.
What was the title of the film for which Michel Galabru won the César Award?

Michel Galabru won the César Award for Best Actor in 1977 for The Judge and the Assassin. In the film he portrayed Joseph Bouvier, a complex dramatic role.
What honor did Michel Galabru receive from the French government?

Michel Galabru received the Commander of the National Order of Merit and the Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres. These are high civilian honors recognizing his cultural contributions.

View all 28 questions View fewer questions

Audited & updated by

If something's wrong in a profile, Daniel will find it. With 7 years of research experience, he's developed an almost unreasonable eye for inaccurate career timelines, misattributed credits, and dates that don't quite add up. He doesn't publish anything he can't verify. The profiles on Famousy are as accurate as they are largely because of work you'll never see his name on.

Published on June 19, 2026

Report an issue

If something on this page looks off, we genuinely want to know about it. Send us a quick email with the celebrity's name, the detail that seems incorrect, and any sources you're referencing. We review every report and update the page as soon as we can.

Report an issue