Philippe Gaulier's legacy in theatre training may not have reached the same heights as his influence on comedy. The French clown-teacher who left an indelible mark on generations of performers and comedians has died at 82, leaving behind a testament to his unorthodox yet effective approach to pedagogy.
Gaulier's philosophy was rooted in the idea that life is ridiculous – often to the point where it's almost unbearable. He instilled this sense of irreverence in his students, encouraging them to revel in their individuality and the absurdity of human experience. "We are all ridiculous," Gaulier would say, "and that's what makes us unique." This mantra has become a guiding principle for many comedians, actors, and performers who credit Gaulier with helping them tap into their own brand of surrealism.
From Sacha Baron Cohen to Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter, and Roberto Benigni – the list of Gaulier-trained graduates reads like a Who's Who of comedy royalty. His emphasis on playfulness, alertness, and a willingness to take risks has been instrumental in shaping the careers of countless performers who have since gone on to make their mark on the world of comedy.
Gaulier's influence extends beyond the realm of comedy, however. His graduates have also made significant contributions to serious theatre, bringing a sense of joy and pleasure to performances that often might otherwise be staid or predictable. Kathryn Hunter, Rachel Weisz, and Geoffrey Rush – all Oscar winners and theatrical heavy-hitters – owe a debt to Gaulier's unorthodox approach to teaching.
For those who knew him, Gaulier was more than just a pedagogue; he was a kindred spirit who understood the importance of living life on one's own terms. His legacy serves as a reminder that theatre and comedy should never be taken too seriously – that sometimes, it's okay to let go and simply have fun.
As we bid farewell to this remarkable individual, his words continue to echo in our minds: "This ees boring. Eet ees so shit!" May they inspire future generations of performers to follow their hearts and find the absurdity in life's ridiculous moments.
Gaulier's philosophy was rooted in the idea that life is ridiculous – often to the point where it's almost unbearable. He instilled this sense of irreverence in his students, encouraging them to revel in their individuality and the absurdity of human experience. "We are all ridiculous," Gaulier would say, "and that's what makes us unique." This mantra has become a guiding principle for many comedians, actors, and performers who credit Gaulier with helping them tap into their own brand of surrealism.
From Sacha Baron Cohen to Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter, and Roberto Benigni – the list of Gaulier-trained graduates reads like a Who's Who of comedy royalty. His emphasis on playfulness, alertness, and a willingness to take risks has been instrumental in shaping the careers of countless performers who have since gone on to make their mark on the world of comedy.
Gaulier's influence extends beyond the realm of comedy, however. His graduates have also made significant contributions to serious theatre, bringing a sense of joy and pleasure to performances that often might otherwise be staid or predictable. Kathryn Hunter, Rachel Weisz, and Geoffrey Rush – all Oscar winners and theatrical heavy-hitters – owe a debt to Gaulier's unorthodox approach to teaching.
For those who knew him, Gaulier was more than just a pedagogue; he was a kindred spirit who understood the importance of living life on one's own terms. His legacy serves as a reminder that theatre and comedy should never be taken too seriously – that sometimes, it's okay to let go and simply have fun.
As we bid farewell to this remarkable individual, his words continue to echo in our minds: "This ees boring. Eet ees so shit!" May they inspire future generations of performers to follow their hearts and find the absurdity in life's ridiculous moments.
his approach to teaching was totally unique and infectious, it's crazy how many amazing performers he trained 
from sacha baron cohen to emma thompson, his influence is still being felt in the comedy world today 
but what's really inspiring is that his students aren't just limited to comedy, they're making a difference in serious theatre too 
so let's take a page out of gaulier's book and remember to not take ourselves too seriously 
he was all about living life on your own terms and finding the absurdity in everyday moments 
The thing about Philippe Gaulier is that he really knew how to make you feel like it's okay to be weird and silly, you know? He took this crazy idea that life is basically ridiculous and ran with it. And then he passed it on to all these amazing performers who have gone on to do incredible things. It's not just about comedy either, his approach to theatre is really infectious - it's like he was saying "come on, let's have some fun with this!" 
And I think that's something we could all learn from. He wasn't afraid to be a little silly himself and that's what made him so lovable. 
, not exactly the most conventional career path anyway. Gaulier's philosophy was pretty on point tho, embracing the weirdness and individuality of human existence... sounds like a lot of people can relate to that 
, from sachas crazy antics to emma thompsons Oscar-winning roles, he must've been doing something right 
I'm totally bummed that Philippe Gaulier is gone 
! I mean, can you think of a more iconic clown-teacher who helped shape the careers of Sacha Baron Cohen and Emma Thompson? 
!