Dramatic Arts. Ironically, he launched his career in comedy instead of drama, in the unique form of French
performing arts known as cafe theatre. Not unlike America's "Second City" and "The Committee," cafe-theatre
consists of one-man shows, capsule musicals and improvisational comedy skits, for which the performers do
everything -- including building their own sets.
Joining a group who called themselves "Le Splendid Guys," Mr. Lhermitte spent the first seven years of his career
on stage in cafe-theatre. The group's success ultimately allowed them to build their own small theatre, which
widened their following and their horizons.
Mr. Lhermitte and "Le Splendid" next brought one of their own plays from the stage to the motion picture screen
--"Love Among the Shellfish," which was released in France in 1978. Its success prompted their next film, a Club
Med-style comedy called "The Bronzed Ones"and its sequel, "The Bronzed Ones on Skis." "Le Splendid" soon
had become France's most popular comedy team.
In 1981, Mr. Lhermitte struck out on his own with a film called "Clara and the Good Guys"; his performance later
won him the coveted Jean Gabin Drama Prize. Later that year, he appeared in the comedy "Next Year, If All
Goes Well" along with Isabelle Adjani, a film which was well-received both in New York and Los Angeles. His
next effort was a controversial comedy which had first been performed on stage by "Le Splendid" entitled "Santa
Claus is A..........."
Mr. Lhermitte made his dramatic film debut as a manipulative killer in "Legitimate Violence," which was quickly
followed by another dramatic performance in "The Informer." Quick to follow were "Stella" a wartime drama'
"The Wife of My Best Friend", a comedy-drama: and "The Spouse Who Came In From the Cold".
Mr. Lhermitte will probably be most remembered by his American Fans for his role in "Until September" which
co-starred Karen Allen, a romantic movie filmed entirely in Paris and the French countryside.
Mr Lhermitte's career is still going strong with appearances and or starring roles in over a 100 films to date.
Most recent films to appear in US theatres: And Now Ladies and Gentlemen and Le Divorce.
France releases include: Mauvais Esprit, Ripoux 3, L'Americain, Qui Per Gagne!, and L'Ex Femme de ma Vie in
2005. A highly anticipated movie release will be Les Bronzes 3 in February 2006.
The movies release marks 27 years since the last sequel Les Bronzes Font Di Ski in 1979 (aka The Bronzed
Ones on Skis). The series is well known in many countries and has a huge following among its French viewers -
some say "cult status" for sure!
