©Photos Eric Jeanmonod
Philippe
Khorsand is certainly a discreet yet talented presence on the French TV arena
for the past 30 years. Born to a French mother and Persian Father, his classic
training has allowed him to play in some of the great French repertoires as
varied as Moliere or Feydeau. The first Time I heard of Khorsand was when my
father recognized his namesake as that of an old school comrade in medical
school In Paris then in the US Minneapolis. He looks just the same, my father
burst laughing. Indeed the comrade in question was Philippe Khorsand's
uncle.
Top and Bottom Philippe Khorsand has often been seen on
the
Parisian
theatre.for
more than three decades
I have
ever since followed Khorsand's eclectic career on and off screen with some
jubilation and curiosity. He has worked with such great stars as Jean Paul
Belmondo, Jean Pierre Bacri, Christian Clavier, Valérie Lemercier, Annie Duperay
or Bernard LeCoq.
But it is
with two major TV productions that he has gained fame in the past decade and a
half. First as the eccentric manager of the Soap Opera Palace in the early
nineties. And more recently as the Richard the funny sidekick of Jacques
(Bernard LeCoq) the three star cook caught in many unusual family dilemmas in
the TV series Une Famille Formidable aka a Wonderful Family that
has been running with increasing success for the past thirteen years on French
Channel 2 TV propelling both Khorsand and LeCoq as the French family Laurel and
Hardy spoof of the 90's.
Le Zéro aka the Zero Philippe Khorsand and comic Daniel
Prévost
© Eric Jeanmonod
Below is the translation of
an interview given by both actors to a recent issue of Télé Star.
Amidst
quarrels, childish games and a masculine complicity, Bernard LeCoq(Jacques
Beaumont) and Philippe Khorsand (Richard Mathis) play with jubilation the two
childhood friends of Une Famille Formidable.
Bernard
LeCoq: Certainly
! We even do it with pleasure. Our characters seem to put themselves in
impossible situations.
Philippe
Khorsand: (Laughs)
Jacques and Richard are like Cats and Dogs. Its funny, However we age well
together maybe because we come from the same Village in Le
TS: In this new season Jacques and Richard are
at crossroads, depressed and tempted by extra marital relations. Is that
realistic at your ages ?
Philippe
Khorsand: A
Wonderful Family says very true things on the absurdity of Life and the
difficulties of Life...
Bernard
LeCoq: Actually We play magnificent losers. When
Jacques gets an overdoes of Viagra to honor his wife, its hilarious ... and alas
quite true at our ages. (Laughs).
TS: These portrayal of these two clowns does it
have an impact on your personalities too ?
Bernard
LeCoq: When they
see Jacques my real life friends laugh a lot ... I think I should have this absent
minded side in me. However I do not put myself in such silly situations and I
quarrel less with my friends.
Philippe Khorsand: When I get angry I can
shout very loudly like my character Richard !
TS: What place does friendship play in your life
?
Bernard LeCoq: Its essential ... I have several old friends who like
wine, good food and they get me out of my introvert
personality.
Philippe Khorsand: I got angry with a
childhood friend for something stupid. It's a real shame.
Bernard LeCoq: I Wonder how they will react to
their retirement.
Philippe Khorsand: I see them prolonging
their teenage years for ever.
About
the Author: Darius
KADIVAR is a freelance journalist and film reviewer born to an Iranian father
and French mother. He works and lives in