Isabelle Gélinas is remembering her Fais pas ci, fais pas ça co-star, Bruno Salomone, following his death on March 15th at the age of 55. The beloved French actor passed away after a battle with illness, leaving a void in the hearts of his colleagues and fans.
Gélinas described being “completely devastated and stunned” after receiving the news from Valérie Bonneton on Sunday morning, according to reports. “It’s completely unreal, I can’t believe it,” she confessed, her voice thick with emotion. “I wouldn’t even be able to speak about him in the past tense.”
Even as the news was heartbreaking, Gélinas shared that she had been preparing herself for the loss. “Since September, we knew there was no hope, he was condemned,” she explained. “But he had such an extraordinary zest for life that he held on as long as possible. He passed away peacefully at home with his wife. At least I can take solace in knowing he’s no longer suffering.” She added that Salomone fought until the incredibly end, even working on a comic book project despite his illness. “Even though he couldn’t write, he was getting help.”
A Connection of “Two Doubting Souls”
For 17 years, Isabelle Gélinas and Bruno Salomone captivated audiences as the Bouley family in the series “Fais pas ci, fais pas ça”. The comedy, which ran from 2007 to 2017 with nine seasons and 68 episodes, plus two special episodes in 2020 and 2024, became a cultural touchstone in France, drawing millions of viewers. “We played husband and wife for so long, you can imagine! We knew each other inside and out!” Gélinas said. “In fact, these last few hours, I feel like I’m Bruno’s widow, even though he has a real wife. I’m receiving so many messages from friends, even those I’m not close to. It’s very touching.”
Their connection began several years earlier, in 2005, on the set of Aline Issermann’s film, “Cherche fiancé tous frais payés.” It was an instant bond. “Because we were two doubting souls,” Gélinas recalled. Shortly after, they both auditioned for “Fais pas ci, fais pas ça.” Initially, Gélinas tested with Guillaume de Tonquédec, and Salomone with Valérie Bonneton. But, series creator Anne Giafferi quickly realized the chemistry between Bruno and Isabelle, casting them as Denis and Valérie Bouley.
Gélinas fondly remembered their time on set. “It’s hard to sum it up in just one memory. He was always an exceptionally attentive and delicate partner. When we were stuck on a scene, he was always there to help. Besides having incredible instincts, he was a wonderful colleague. I remember only one time he snapped at me, and it made me cry. And immediately, he came to apologize. He was truly saddened by the thought of hurting me. Bruno was someone with a rare kindness. He always thought of others before himself.”
“I told him I loved him, that I was obviously thinking of him.”
Isabelle Gélinas described Salomone as a “whimsical” man with an “absolutely wild imagination,” a “great professional” who “always sought sincerity,” and a “beautiful soul” who leaves behind an “enormous void.”
The two actors also shared the stage in 2015, appearing together in Jean Dell and Gérald Sibleyras’ play, “Un petit jeu sans conséquence,” directed by Ladislas Chollat. “He brought me so much freedom and release. He was as demanding and rigorous as he was cool and generous.”
Just days before his death, Gélinas sent a message to her friend. “I told him I loved him, that I was obviously thinking of him.” Inconsolable on Sunday evening, she wants to cherish the joyful moments – and even the exhausting ones that often ended in fits of laughter. “I will keep his laughter and his voice with me until the day I die. He was so important in my career, but even more so in my life. I could call him when I was feeling down, and he always knew what to say.”
