Philippe Gaulier, Clown to the Stars, Dies at 82

"Philippe Gaulier, the founder of the literal clown academy École Philippe Gaulier, died on Monday, February 9, at the age of 82. He instructed a number of Hollywood's most malleable stars in the art of clowning, including Sacha Baron Cohen, Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter, and CYSK alumnus Zach Zucker. His strict and meticulous methodologies taught some of the smartest people on the planet how to behave like complete idiots, paving the way for a new generation of red-nosed fools to pratfall onto the stage."

"In Gutsy, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton's short-lived Apple TV+ docuseries, the Clintons go to interview Gaulier in Paris. "Philippe, what's the difference for a woman in comedy than a man in comedy? Can they do the same thing?" the former secretary of State asks the professional clown. In a voice that can be described only as "Paul Schrader's but French," Gaulier goes on to explain that, "Comedy is okay, but clown is more difficult.""

Philippe Gaulier, founder of École Philippe Gaulier, died on February 9 at age 82. He trained numerous actors, including Sacha Baron Cohen, Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter, and Zach Zucker, in the art of clowning. His strict and meticulous methods taught accomplished performers to embrace physical foolishness and vulnerability, enabling a new generation of clowns to pratfall onto stages. A widely shared filmed exchange captured Gaulier saying, "Comedy is okay, but clown is more difficult," and illustrated his idiosyncratic teaching style. Gaulier used paradoxical anecdotes about gender and affection to make broader points about performance and shame.

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