There are friendships that are unlike any other. The one between Jean Carmet, Jean-Pierre Coffe, and Gérard Depardieu was one of those unique friendships. Often involved in bar adventures, the three buddies would end up in deplorable (or admirable, depending on your perspective) states. Jean-Pierre Coffe shared some of their exploits on Paris Dernière in 1996, a show available on INA Arditube. He described a friendship based on the art of partying: “What my buddy Carmet and I managed to do was handle our drinking very well. We would savor it, make it last as long as possible. Wine is much better than love.” Sometimes, the evening would take unexpected turns. Coffe recounts one evening when, with Carmet, they unknowingly purchased a brothel in Tours because they were so drunk they signed a notarized deed without realizing it.
Context:
– Jean Carmet, Jean-Pierre Coffe, and Gérard Depardieu had a close friendship with many wild adventures, especially involving alcohol. – Coffe shared anecdotes about their escapades on a TV show in 1996.
A final toast for Jean Carmet
In line with these stories is the one about Jean Carmet’s death, the step-grandfather of Swann Arlaud. On April 20, 1994, the actor from “Miss Mona” passed away from a heart attack. His two lifelong companions paid him a final tribute, as recounted by Jean-Pierre Coffe in his book “Une vie de Coffe,” published in 2015. At around three in the morning, Gérard Depardieu suggested a final toast. Coffe took a sip, pressed his lips against the deceased’s, and let some wine flow into his friend’s mouth. Depardieu did the same. It was a strange gesture of mourning, but fitting for Jean Carmet, a man who loved wine and friends. Carmet grew up in Bourgueil, surrounded by his father Gabriel Carmet’s vineyards. This wine culture was what the three friends celebrated, making the gesture on April 20, 1994, a fitting conclusion to their friendship.
Fact Check:
– Jean Carmet died on April 20, 1994, from a heart attack. – Coffe and Depardieu shared a poignant final moment with Carmet during his wake.
Depardieu and Coffe: the big falling out and the shadow of the following years
What makes their last display of friendship even more troubling today is what happened between the two survivors afterwards. A few years later, Depardieu and Coffe had a public falling out, making that night of vigil seem like a distant memory. In April 2010, during an interview with TF1 reported by Paris Match, Depardieu unexpectedly accused Coffe of selling out to a discount store (Leader Price) for “a bunch of cash.” Coffe, angered, responded on the show “On n’est pas couché” on France 2, giving Depardieu a public ultimatum: “Have you forgotten the moments we shared? I will consider you trash if you don’t answer me.” He explicitly mentioned the night they spent by Carmet’s side and the wine they shared.
Fact Check:
– Depardieu and Coffe had a public falling out in April 2010, with accusations of selling out. – Coffe confronted Depardieu on live television about their shared memories, including the wine incident with Carmet.
Years earlier, on “Paris Dernière,” Coffe had already shared a candid view of his former companion. When asked if he could have a night of revelry with Depardieu like with Carmet, he said no. “Depardieu drinks to forget. You can’t drink when you’re desperate. He must be very unhappy to drink heavily like that.” Coffe has since passed away, and Depardieu’s legal issues have mounted, leading to his conviction in May 2025 for sexual offenses on a film set, adding to the tragedy of the trio who once toasted together.
Context:
– Coffe gave a candid assessment of Depardieu’s drinking habits compared to their past escapades. – Depardieu has faced legal troubles, being convicted for sexual offenses in 2025.
