Marc Messier, legendary Québec actor of Broue and Lance et compte, dies at 78

Marc Messier, the Quebec actor who defined a generation of Quebec culture through roles in Broue, Lance et compte, La petite vie, and Les Boys, has died at 78 following a brief illness, the cultural community confirmed Tuesday, July 7.

Messier's death sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. Réjean Tremblay, who created and wrote Lance et compte, said the loss was particularly painful as the show approached a milestone. "In September prochain, ce sera le 40e anniversaire de la diffusion du premier épisode de Lance et compte. On avait prévu se rassembler une petite gang, mais calvaire, il ne sera pas là! Lance et compte sans Marc Gagnon, ce n'est pas pareil," Tremblay said.

Tremblay had worked closely with Messier throughout the series' run, often improvising scenes on set and relying on the actor's instincts. "He brought to Marc Gagnon a profoundness, a sensitivity also. I let him improvise. There were four or five scenes in Lance et compte where I hadn't written anything," Tremblay recalled.

Marc Labrèche, who played alongside Messier in La petite vie, described their on-screen chemistry. "There was something that happened when we played together and Claude understood it, because he took pleasure in writing scenes for us together," Labrèche said.

Marcel Gauthier, Messier's co-star in the mythic play Broue for 38 years, was visibly affected. "He had a great respect for the public. No matter what he was living in his personal life, I never saw him neglect a performance. He gave everything he had," Gauthier said.

Québec Premier Christine Fréchette wrote on social media: "As for so many Quebecers, he was one of my favourite actors. He had that rare talent to make us laugh, move us and bring us together." Culture Minister Mathieu Lacombe called him "a giant of Quebec culture" who marked several generations with iconic roles.