Philippe Gaulier, the French theatre educator who helped shape the careers of some of the most innovative comedians of our time, has left us. At 82, he may have started life without great expectations - in fact, he'd tell you himself that stand-up comedy was a "horrible" thing to teach. Yet his methods and philosophies have had an immeasurable impact on the world of comedy, making it more inclusive, more joyful and more connected.
Gaulier's school, École Philippe Gaulier, wasn't just about clowning; it was about unleashing your inner ridiculousness, learning to be vividly alive in the moment and finding playfulness and alertness to a crowd. It was an instruction for life as well as for performances. The man himself may have been resistant to the idea of stand-up, but his teachings spoke volumes about the power of embracing your absurdity.
Many of Gaulier's students went on to achieve great things - Sacha Baron Cohen called him "the funniest man I've ever met" and Emma Thompson is among those who owe a debt of gratitude to this unorthodox educator. But it wasn't just about making people laugh; it was also about bringing a sense of privilege and pleasure to the work itself.
Of course, Gaulier's graduates have gone on to excel in both comedy and theatre. Geoffrey Rush, Kathryn Hunter and Rachel Weisz are among those who have brought their unique brand of joy to dramatic roles. But it's also worth noting that even in more serious pursuits, Gaulier's spirit lived on - his students carried with them the knowledge that, at the end of the day, life is a big game, and they're all just playing along.
As we mourn the loss of this beloved educator, let us remember the lessons he taught us: to find pleasure in our absurdity, to delight in the simple things and to never lose sight of the joy of performing. It's a lesson that will be cherished for years to come - and one that Gaulier himself would have approved of.
Gaulier's school, École Philippe Gaulier, wasn't just about clowning; it was about unleashing your inner ridiculousness, learning to be vividly alive in the moment and finding playfulness and alertness to a crowd. It was an instruction for life as well as for performances. The man himself may have been resistant to the idea of stand-up, but his teachings spoke volumes about the power of embracing your absurdity.
Many of Gaulier's students went on to achieve great things - Sacha Baron Cohen called him "the funniest man I've ever met" and Emma Thompson is among those who owe a debt of gratitude to this unorthodox educator. But it wasn't just about making people laugh; it was also about bringing a sense of privilege and pleasure to the work itself.
Of course, Gaulier's graduates have gone on to excel in both comedy and theatre. Geoffrey Rush, Kathryn Hunter and Rachel Weisz are among those who have brought their unique brand of joy to dramatic roles. But it's also worth noting that even in more serious pursuits, Gaulier's spirit lived on - his students carried with them the knowledge that, at the end of the day, life is a big game, and they're all just playing along.
As we mourn the loss of this beloved educator, let us remember the lessons he taught us: to find pleasure in our absurdity, to delight in the simple things and to never lose sight of the joy of performing. It's a lesson that will be cherished for years to come - and one that Gaulier himself would have approved of.
my heart goes out to all those who were touched by philippe gauliers life & teachings. he was truly a pioneer in helping people find their voice & laugh at themselves. i mean, can you imagine a world without sacha baron cohen or emma thompson being able to make us laugh? 
it's crazy to think that the guy himself didn't love stand-up comedy but his methods are still making a huge impact today. he showed us that even in the most serious roles, there's always room for playfulness & joy. we should all try to take a page out of his book & find our own ridiculousness 
... he was more than just a comedian teacher, he changed lives 
... his approach to comedy was all about embracing the absurdity & finding joy in the simple things... it's amazing how much impact he had on so many people's careers & personal growth 
... as we say goodbye to this amazing man, i'm sure his spirit will continue to inspire us all to live life with more playfulness & purpose 
I'm still trying to process the news about Philippe Gaulier. On one hand, it's sad that we've lost such an influential figure who left us with so much joy and wisdom. His approach to comedy and life was truly unique and has inspired a whole generation of comedians and performers. 
I'm not saying Philippe Gaulier was old school, but he started teaching comedy at 82... talk about having a midlife crisis! 
But seriously, the man left us way too soon 
. His methods were all about embracing your absurdity and living in the moment – sounds like my Sunday brunches with mates 
. Anyway, let's all take a page from Gaulier's playbook and find the joy in our own absurdity – and maybe have a few laughs while doing it! 
just lost another legend who knew how to live life to the fullest 
. I mean, who needs expectations when you're 82 and still telling people stand-up comedy is a "horrible" thing to teach? 
. loved how he made us all realize that we're all just playing along at the end of the day 
. can't help but think that he'd be stoked to see his students still carrying on the legacy and bringing people together through comedy and theatre 
. so here's to you, Philippe Gaulier, may your ridiculousness live on forever 
He was like a superhero for comedians, making them believe they could actually make people laugh and have fun with their jobs 
. It's crazy to think about how many talented folks he helped shape into comedy legends... like Sacha Baron Cohen and Emma Thompson 
. Gaulier may have been resistant to stand-up himself, but his teachings are still out there inspiring people to find joy in the absurdity of life 
so let's take a page from Gaulier's book and learn to find the absurdity in everything.
, but I know his legacy will live on. So let's keep embracing our absurdity, finding pleasure in the simple things, and never losing that sense of wonder and excitement. That's what Gaulier taught us, and that's something we can all get behind 
. I mean, think about it, Philippe Gaulier wasn't just teaching comedy, he was teaching us how to live life in the moment, find joy in our absurdity... that's like, totally democratic, you know? 
He's showing us that everyone has a unique brand of ridiculousness, and we should all be embracing that. It's not about class or privilege, it's about being human. And that's what I think he did best - made comedy accessible to everyone 
. so let's remember to not take ourselves too seriously & have a good laugh, even when life gets crazy