Philippe Gaulier

Life & Legacy

Philippe Gaulier (French pronunciation: [filip golje]; 4 March 1943 – 9 February 2026) was a French professor of theatre, dramatic theorist, pedagogue, and master clown. He was the founder of École Philippe Gaulier, a French theatre school in Étampes, outside Paris. Known for his "legendarily terrifying teaching style", Gaulier had a significant influence on international theatre. His teachings inspired the creation of numerous theatre companies throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.His work had particular influence on British theatre, inspiring the Théâtre de Complicité, among numerous other theatres. Gaulier published The Tormentor (Le Gégèneur), a book discussing his thoughts on the theatre and containing exercises designed to develop an actor's skill. Prior to opening his own school, Gaulier taught alongside Jacques Lecoq at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq. Gaulier was known for performing in both clown and bouffon comic genres, in addition to his work as a playwright and director.
Emma Thompson, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Rachel Weisz, Geoffrey Rush, Roberto Benigni, Yolande Moreau, Simon McBurney, Kathryn Hunter, Sally Phillips, Anthony Wong, Louise Brealey, David Schwimmer, Julia Garner, Mathew Baynton, Orla Brady, Teresa Saponangelo, Emma Vilarasau, Khalid Abdalla, Siobhan McSweeney, Karena Lam, Marcello Magni, Viggo Venn, The Right Size, and Abel et Gordon, all numbered among his students. Baron Cohen has particularly praised him for "help[ing him] understand how to be funny", and called Gaulier "the greatest living teacher of clown and modern theatre, and the funniest man I have ever met."