Bruno Salomone, the beloved French actor best known for his role as Denis Bouley in the hit family series Fais pas ci, fais pas ça, has died, his agent announced Sunday. He was 55.
Salomone likewise gained widespread recognition for appearing opposite Jean Dujardin in the 2005 comedy Brice de Nice, playing the character Igor d’Hossegor, and for providing the voice-over for Alain Chabat’s popular game show Burger Quiz. He began his career as a comedian, performing with the troupe “Nous ç Nous” alongside Dujardin.
“It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Bruno Salomone,” his agent, Laurent Grégoire, said in a statement Sunday. “He passed away this Sunday, March 15, after a long battle with illness.”
A Breakout Role in Fais pas ci, fais pas ça
Fais pas ci, fais pas ça, which ran for nine seasons before concluding in 2017, saw a brief revival with a Christmas TV movie in late 2020 and two new episodes in December 2024. The show’s comedic premise centered on the clash between two families: the bourgeois Bouleys (played by Isabelle Gélinas and Salomone) and the more conservative Lepics (Valérie Bonneton and Guillaume de Tonquédec). The series became a cultural touchstone in France, sparking conversations about modern family dynamics.
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Early Career and Versatile Talent
Salomone first gained public attention in 1996 as a contestant on the M6 talent show Graines de Stars. He then joined the comedy troupe “Nous ç Nous” alongside Dujardin before launching a solo career.
A versatile performer, Salomone worked in film, television, and theater, and also lent his voice to animation, notably as Jolly Jumper in James Huth’s 2009 adaptation of Lucky Luke, which starred Dujardin. His most recent television appearance was last year in the France 3 series A priori. The network has announced that season two, set to begin in late March, will feature former swimmer Florent Manaudou in Salomone’s role.
