Jean Dujardin paid a particularly moving tribute to Nicolas Altmayer, the longtime producer of several of his greatest hits, who died at 61 in a car accident along with his partner Mathilde Favier. The actor spoke of the man who had been by his side for over twenty years, from Brice de Nice to OSS 117 , and also offered his condolences to Éric Altmayer, the producer's brother and business partner.
Over 20 years of filmmaking together
The sudden passing of Nicolas Altmayer has deeply affected Jean Dujardin. The producer had worked with the actor on several pivotal films in his career, beginning with Brice de Nice , released in 2005, which became one of his most popular roles. Their collaboration continued with Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath, the secret agent portrayed by Jean Dujardin in OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies in 2006, and then OSS 117: Lost in Rio in 2009. These two films significantly contributed to establishing Jean Dujardin as one of the leading actors in French cinema. Nicolas Altmayer produced these films with his brother Éric at Mandarin. Over the years, the relationship between the producer and Jean Dujardin had extended far beyond the professional sphere.
"Nicolas. My producer, my friend"
On Instagram, Jean Dujardin chose to address Nicolas Altmayer directly. He reminisced about their films, their characters, and above all, the memories accumulated over all these years. The actor wrote:
“Nicolas. My producer, my friend. Thank you for being with me all these years, from Brice de Nice to OSS 117. That idiot Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath, whom you wanted to reinvent on screen and who made you laugh so much… I owe it to you. I will cherish your wit, your modesty, your integrity, your professionalism, and your great insight. I am, of course, thinking of Éric, your brother, your partner, your other half. Through all these films produced by Mandarin Production, we will continue to keep your memory alive. You are not leaving, you are here. See you later, Nicolas! Lots of love. Jean”
In this message, Jean Dujardin emphasizes the role played by Nicolas Altmayer in the cinematic revival of Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath. With OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies , the character created by Jean Bruce was completely reinvented in a spy comedy starring Jean Dujardin and directed by Michel Hazanavicius.
Nicolas Altmayer and Mathilde Favier killed in a road accident
Nicolas Altmayer died on Monday, August 17, in an accident in Airvault, Deux-Sèvres. He was in a car with his partner, Mathilde Favier, a prominent figure in the fashion world and Dior's public relations director. Both perished in the collision. The vehicle they were traveling in collided with a truck on departmental road 938. An investigation will determine the precise circumstances of the accident. Nicolas Altmayer was 61 years old. Mathilde Favier was 57.
De Brice de Nice à Mr. Aznavoura long career as a producer
Together with his brother Éric, Nicolas Altmayer had built one of the most important filmographies in French film production in recent decades. The two men had notably produced Brice de Nicethe first two SDG 117, The Knights of the Sky, Vase, Young and beautiful, Grâce à Dieu, Summer 85, Mon Crime or, Mr. AznavourNicolas Altmayer had also accompanied Franck Gastambide since The Kaïrabefore producing in particular Pattaya, Taxi 5, Medellín, series Valid et The cageHis passing has prompted numerous tributes in French cinema. For Jean Dujardin, it is above all the loss of a man who has been by his side since a pivotal period in his career. "You're not leaving, you're here.""The actor wrote to him. A way of reminding him that Nicolas Altmayer will continue to exist through the films they made together."
