Claudette Walker, nicknamed "the YouTube grandma", has died at the age of 86.

Actress Claudette Walker, a familiar face on television and digital platforms, died Friday at the age of 86. The announcement was made by her son to AFP. Known to the general public for her numerous supporting roles, she also won over a new generation through her appearances in videos by popular YouTube content creators.

Over the years, Claudette Walker had become a key figure in Cyprien's comedy videos, and he paid tribute to her on Instagram. "She radiated so much on set, I'm so glad I met her," wrote the YouTuber, who has over 14 million followers.

A career spanning television, film and the internet

Born in 1939, Claudette Walker initially worked as a dancer and choreographer before turning to acting. She distinguished herself in numerous French productions, primarily in supporting roles, which allowed her to build a discreet but steady career.

Viewers had notably seen her in the series Maison de retraite, broadcast on TF1. In cinema, she had also participated in several feature films, including Photo de famille, released in 2018 with Jean-Pierre Bacri.

An unexpected YouTube icon

In recent years, Claudette Walker had found renewed popularity with a younger audience thanks to her appearances in videos by Cyprien, as well as those by the collectives Golden Moustache and Lolywood.

Her humor, her naturalness and her self-deprecation had earned her the affectionate nickname of "the YouTube granny", making her one of the few comedians of her generation to become a popular figure on social media.

Numerous tributes

The announcement of her death sparked a wave of emotion among content creators and internet users who had discovered the actress through their screens. Many praised her energy, her kindness, and her ability to connect with viewers of all ages.

Through her atypical career, Claudette Walker made her mark on cinema and television as well as the world of digital creation, where she found a second artistic youth.