The actress Geneviève Grad, a luminous face of the 1960s and unforgettable performer of Nicole Cruchot in the Le Gendarme series, passed away during the night of November 7 to 8, 2024. She was 80 years old. After a long battle with cancer, she took her last breath at the Polyclinic of Blois (Loir-et-Cher), surrounded by the love of her husband, Jean Guillaume, who announced the sad news.
A familiar face for a generation, forever marked by Le Gendarme
For millions of viewers, Geneviève Grad embodies a carefree and radiant youth through her role as Nicole Cruchot, the rebellious and endearing daughter of the gendarme played by Louis de Funès. She shone in three installments of the cult series: Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez (1964), Le Gendarme à New York (1965), and Le Gendarme se marie (1968). These films, directed by Jean Girault, have become treasures of French popular cinema.
In Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez, Geneviève Grad touches hearts with her voice in the song Douliou douliou Saint-Tropez, a tune that became emblematic of the 1960s. Its sweet melody, sometimes misspelled as "Do you do you Saint-Tropez", symbolizes an era when cinema made people dream, and where every role could become a legend.
A star with a unique journey
Before conquering cinema, Geneviève Grad began under the spotlight of the Opéra de Paris as a dancer. Her innate talent and natural grace propelled her onto the big screen, where she shared the stage with legends like Jean Marais in Le Capitaine Fracasse (1961).
She also ventured into Italian adventure productions, portraying strong heroines in a flamboyant style. But despite these successes, she chose to gradually step away from the sets starting in the 1970s, preferring a more discreet life. In the 1980s, she worked behind the scenes as a production assistant for the television show Temps X, hosted by the inseparable Bogdanoff brothers.
Loves, memories, and an unbreakable bond with her audience
In her private life, Geneviève Grad shared a part of her life with Igor Bogdanoff, with whom she had a son, Dimitri, born in 1976. For over 30 years, she lived a serene love with her husband, Jean Guillaume, an architect who accompanied her until her last moments.
Even away from the spotlight, Geneviève Grad remained deeply loved. Her husband confides that she still received letters from fans, sometimes from far away, from Germany, Russia, or Ukraine. These constant expressions of affection, despite the years, testify to the timeless aura of this artist with an indelible charm.
A final farewell, but an eternal legacy
Geneviève Grad has passed away, but her memory remains alive in the hearts of her admirers. Her role as Nicole Cruchot, her radiant smile, and her voice on Douliou douliou Saint-Tropez embody a bygone era when French cinema shone with a unique brilliance.
She was not just an actress: she was a familiar figure, a symbol of lightness and elegance, a living page of our cultural heritage. With her departure, a part of the golden age of French cinema disappears, but her films will continue to make generations laugh, sing, and dream.
Farewell, Geneviève, and thank you for these timeless bursts of joy.