Denise Pelletier
Encyclopedia
Denise Pelletier, OC
(May 22, 1923 - May 24, 1976) was a Canadian actress.
to father Albert Pelletier, a literary critic, and mother Marie-Reine Vaugeois. Her mother was very cultured and helped Denise's love of theatre flourish. Her brother Gilles was also interested in theatre and acting, so Pelletier grew up in a theatre-centric household. Pelletier attended Congrégation Notre-Dame, and although she received good marks, despised her studies. After leaving school, Pelletier noticed an advertisement for acting courses offered by the Montreal Repertory Theatre, enrolled and was quickly given a part. At the theatre she performed in various classical plays, and also performed in some radio operas.
. In 1951 Pelletier met Jean Gascon
at Théâtre du Nouveau Monde
, who would go on to receive the Order of Canada
. In 1952, television arrived in Canada and Pelletier jumped on the bandwagon, appearing in one of her most famous roles as Cécile in Les Plouffes. Although she preferred the stage, Pelletier was crowned 'Miss Radio Television' in 1955 and starred opposite Jean Duceppe
in De Neuf à Cinq in 1968. During the 1970s she also played in Mont-Joye and Michel Tremblay
's Trois Petits Tours. In 1970 she was awarded the Order of Canada
and performed in the Stratford Festival's show The Divine Sarah as her last performance in 1975. Before the play could be performed in Montreal, Pelletier died during a heart operation on May 24, 1976. To celebrate her legacy, the Quebec government created the Prix Denise-Pelletier
.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(May 22, 1923 - May 24, 1976) was a Canadian actress.
Early life
Denise Pelletier was born on May 22, 1923 was born in Saint-Jovite, QuebecQuebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
to father Albert Pelletier, a literary critic, and mother Marie-Reine Vaugeois. Her mother was very cultured and helped Denise's love of theatre flourish. Her brother Gilles was also interested in theatre and acting, so Pelletier grew up in a theatre-centric household. Pelletier attended Congrégation Notre-Dame, and although she received good marks, despised her studies. After leaving school, Pelletier noticed an advertisement for acting courses offered by the Montreal Repertory Theatre, enrolled and was quickly given a part. At the theatre she performed in various classical plays, and also performed in some radio operas.
Film and television career
In 1943, Pelletier appeared in one of the first Québécois films, À la Croisée des Chemins. One of the few Canadian actors at the time performing in both English and French, she continued to wow audiences with titles such as the 1947 production of Les Parents terriblesLes parents terribles
Les Parents terribles is a 1938 French play written by Jean Cocteau. Despite initial problems with censorship, it was revived on the French stage several times after its original production, and in 1948 a film adaptation directed by Cocteau himself was released...
. In 1951 Pelletier met Jean Gascon
Jean Gascon
Jean Gascon, was a Canadian opera director, actor, and administrator.From 1968 to 1974, he was the artistic director of the Stratford Festival of Canada.-Honours:...
at Théâtre du Nouveau Monde
Théâtre du Nouveau Monde
The Théâtre du Nouveau Monde is a theatre company and venue located on rue Sainte-Catherine in Montreal, Quebec. Founded in , it launched with the classic play L'Avare by Molière....
, who would go on to receive the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. In 1952, television arrived in Canada and Pelletier jumped on the bandwagon, appearing in one of her most famous roles as Cécile in Les Plouffes. Although she preferred the stage, Pelletier was crowned 'Miss Radio Television' in 1955 and starred opposite Jean Duceppe
Jean Duceppe
Jean Hotte-Duceppe, CQ was a stage and television actor from Montreal, Quebec. He founded the Compagnie de théâtre Jean Duceppe in 1973....
in De Neuf à Cinq in 1968. During the 1970s she also played in Mont-Joye and Michel Tremblay
Michel Tremblay
Michel Tremblay, CQ is a Canadian novelist and playwright.Tremblay grew up in the Plateau Mont-Royal, a French-speaking neighbourhood of Montreal, at the time of his birth a neighbourhood with a working-class character and joual dialect, something that would heavily influence his work...
's Trois Petits Tours. In 1970 she was awarded the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
and performed in the Stratford Festival's show The Divine Sarah as her last performance in 1975. Before the play could be performed in Montreal, Pelletier died during a heart operation on May 24, 1976. To celebrate her legacy, the Quebec government created the Prix Denise-Pelletier
Prix Denise-Pelletier
The Prix Denise-Pelletier is an award by the Government of Quebec that is part of the Prix du Québec, given to individuals for an outstanding career in the performing arts. It is awarded to a creator, performer, stage-craftsman or person who has made a noteworthy contribution in the fields of song,...
.