Clovis Cornillac Will Never Say “Mom”

Clovis Cornillac in Deauville

On October 6th, Clovis Cornillac appeared on the set of Un dimanche à la campagne, a show presented by the inimitable Frédéric Lopez on France 2. At 56, the actor with the deep voice and calm charisma shared a confession that left the host (and undoubtedly some viewers) speechless. Brace yourselves: Clovis Cornillac has never called his mother "Mom". And, to be consistent, his father never got a "Dad" either. A habit that seems trivial to him, but let’s be honest, it’s a bit out of the ordinary, especially in a France where "dear mom" is almost an institution!

A choice made all by himself, like a grown-up

Clovis, with that characteristic sly smile, explained that he decided, at a young age, to call his parents by their first names: Myriam Boyer for his mother, and Roger Cornillac for his father. "They never really understood," he admits with a shrug, while clarifying that it never affected their relationship. It goes to show that one can break free from family codes without compromising affection. While his half-brother and half-sister, Arny and Élisa, conformed to conventions with their traditional "Mom" and "Dad," Clovis decided he preferred to do things differently. Perhaps it was his rebellious side before its time? Or simply an early gesture of independence.

Faced with this revelation, Frédéric Lopez couldn’t help but ask THE question: why? And there, Clovis Cornillac gave an answer as puzzling as it was disarming: "I don’t know." No grand psychological analyses, no Freudian revelations. Simply an instinctive choice, which he still seems to find quite natural today. A mystery, indeed.

Myriam and Clovis, a mother-son duo like no other

Even though he never used the word "Mom," the relationship between Clovis Cornillac and Myriam Boyer remains no less close. It’s worth noting that Myriam, a great theater actress and two-time Molière Award winner, had Clovis at only 20 years old. Perhaps that’s where it all plays out. "We felt like we grew up together," Clovis confides, and one can easily imagine this duo formed by a talented young actress and her already very mature son. Between theater stages and film sets, they shared much more than a family bond; it’s a true shared passion that united them.

If Clovis never uttered the word "Mom," he found her an affectionate nickname: Mim’. A sort of tender and playful nod that sums up the depth of their relationship. A relationship where, behind the uniqueness of words, lies an unwavering mutual respect.

A rock’n’roll childhood

With an actress mother and an actor father, one might imagine that Clovis grew up in a very strict artistic environment, but that’s not really the case. His childhood was rather laid-back, often spent in cafes with his mother’s friends. "I was looked after by friends at the café, 18-year-olds," he recounts, visibly amused by this time when he observed adult life from his high chair. Between rounds of strong coffees, he forged his independent character and developed a taste for freedom.

This relaxed atmosphere didn’t prevent him from following his own path. At the age of 14, he decided to become an actor. Perhaps a hint of rebellion pushed him to never ask for permission. "I didn’t wait for Myriam‘s approval to pursue this career," he notes, with that little glint of defiance in his eyes.

Cinema as a legacy

In terms of cinema, Clovis Cornillac didn’t have to look far for inspiration. With a mother like Myriam Boyer, a key figure in theater and film, he has been immersed in art since birth. However, while he inherited a love for the stage, he carved his own path. We remember him in successful films like Les Chevaliers du ciel (2005), where he thrilled aviation enthusiasts, or Astérix aux Jeux Olympiques (2008), where he took on the role of the famous Gaul.

But Clovis Cornillac isn’t just about physical or comedic roles. He can also be found in more intimate works, such as Faubourg 36 (2008) or Un peu, beaucoup, aveuglément (2015), where he also took on the role of director. An eclectic career, much like him, where humor always coexists with a certain gravity.

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