François Berléand says he never regrets refusing the Splendid troupe

French actor François Berléand revealed in a recent RTL interview that he turned down an invitation from Josiane Balasko to join the Splendid comedy troupe in the 1970s. He preferred theatre and dramatic roles at the time, saying, “I found it very funny but I wanted to do what I was doing.”

When the troupe’s film Les Bronzés became a massive hit, Berléand admitted he briefly felt a pang of regret, recalling, “I thought ‘oh shit, that’s it.’” However, he later concluded that the decision allowed him to pursue a career in serious cinema, earning a César for Best Supporting Actor in 2000 for Ma petite entreprise. He now says he would not change his choice and views the missed opportunity as a step that shaped his path.

The story underscores Berléand’s long‑standing preference for dramatic work over comedy, and his later collaborations with former Splendid members on stage and screen.