The French cinema world is in mourning this Saturday, May 23, 2026. The passing of Thérèse Liotard, at the age of 80, was announced by her talent agency before being relayed by AFP cultural journalist Jean-François Guyot on X. After starting out in the 1970s, the actress built a rich career, mainly consisting of supporting roles in film, television, and theater. Without seeking media limelight, she established herself over time as a familiar face in the French audiovisual landscape, appreciated for the accuracy of her performance.
One of her most notable roles is that of Françoise in the comedy “Viens chez moi, j’habite chez une copine” (1981), directed by Patrice Leconte, alongside Michel Blanc and Bernard Giraudeau. She also appeared in the adaptations of Marcel Pagnol’s works by Yves Robert, “La Gloire de mon père” and “Le Château de ma mère,” where she played Aunt Rose, a role etched in the public’s memory.
Thérèse Liotard’s illustrious career was built through numerous collaborations with major French cinema directors. She worked under Michel Deville, Costa-Gavras, Patrice Leconte, Bertrand Tavernier, Yves Robert, and Benoît Jacquot, establishing herself as a regular interpreter of very different films in terms of style and universes. She was nominated twice for the César Awards for Best Supporting Actress for her performances in the two adaptations of Marcel Pagnol’s works.
Her passing comes a year and a half after that of Michel Blanc, her co-star in “Viens chez moi, j’habite chez une copine.” In this film, she portrayed Françoise, a character she humorously described as, “My name is Françoise. I am the friend Daniel lives with, where he takes Guy, played by Michel Blanc. And they do lots of silly things, and I am pretty much the only… adult,” she revealed about this iconic role.
According to BFMTV, who was able to reach her agent, Thérèse Liotard passed away after a long illness. In her final years, the actress had stopped filming to focus on teaching, first in Paris and then in Sens, in Yonne. Fully committed to this new stage, she expressed her enjoyment in passing on her experience, emphasizing that “teaching is not a profession where you retire. Giving classes is about transmitting this experience of acting, gained from the greatest.” Valérie Mairesse’s friend will leave a big void in the cinema world.
