French actor Michel Blanc passed away unexpectedly on the night of October 3-4, 2024, at the age of 72, leaving behind his partner and a legacy of memorable performances. Blanc was hospitalized in a Paris medical center for a kidney scan when he began to feel unwell and reported a sensation of lacking oxygen. Emergency services quickly transported him to Saint-Antoine Hospital, but tragically, he suffered multiple cardiac arrests and was deprived of oxygen for over 45 minutes.
His partner, aware of the dire situation, reached out to fellow actors from the Splendid troupe, including Josiane Balasko, Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot, Thierry Lhermitte, Bruno Moynot, and Marie-Anne Chazel, to inform them of his condition with a heartfelt message: 'Michel is leaving...'
Despite attempts to revive him, Blanc succumbed to his sixth heart attack, reportedly triggered by a severe allergic reaction to medication, as confirmed by Gérard Jugnot during an interview on RTL.
In the wake of his death, numerous tributes have poured in from the cultural community. The French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, expressed her condolences on social media, highlighting Blanc's impressive range as an actor and his directorial talents in films like 'Marche à l'ombre' and 'Grosse fatigue.' She stated, 'The cinema, the world of culture, and all the French people will not forget him.'