Actress and Director Isabelle Mergault Passes Away at 67
Isabelle Mergault, actress and director, passed away aged 67. Her family announced her death in Neuilly-sur-Seine.
They said she had been fighting cancer for several months. She was born in Paris in 1958 to two physician parents.
Early career in film
Mergault began working as an actress in the 1980s. She built a reputation with comic supporting roles.
Her distinctive speech, a dyslalia, became part of her stage persona. She appeared in around thirty films over her career.
Directing and major films
She moved behind the camera with her debut feature, Je vous trouve très beau. The film starred Michel Blanc and performed strongly at the box office.
The debut won the César for Best First Film in 2007. She later directed three other features.
- Enfin veuve (2007) — Michèle Laroque.
- Donnant donnant (2010) — Daniel Auteuil.
- Des mains en or (2023) — Lambert Wilson and Josiane Balasko.
Work as a writer and playwright
Mergault collaborated as a screenwriter with Gérard Jugnot on Meilleur espoir féminin in 2000. She also wrote for the stage.
Her theatrical work ranged from boulevard comedy to sentimental pieces. One noted play was L’amour sur un plateau in 2011.
Television and radio presence
She was a familiar voice on French airwaves. Mergault served as a sociétaire on Les Grosses Têtes on RTL.
The program was presented by Laurent Ruquier. She also appeared as a columnist on several of his television shows.
Legacy
Isabelle Mergault leaves a varied artistic legacy as an actress, director and writer. Her work spanned cinema, theatre, radio and television.
Filmogaz.com extends condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. Her contributions to French culture will be remembered.
