If the content you are seeing is presented as unstyled HTML your browser is an older version that cannot support cascading style sheets. If you wish to upgrade your browser you may download Mozilla or Internet Explorer for Windows.

Besré, Jean

Jean Besré
Jean Besré

Veteran actor, born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, in 1936, and studied in Paris. Jean Besré died in a car accident near Cowansville, Quebec, March 14, 2001 on his way home from a rehearsal of L'affaire dumouchon by Lise Vaillancourt at Théâtre La Licorne.

He was best known for his television work in popular TV series, but he had a 40-year career on stage and in film as well.

Among Besré's stage credits were leads in Les Combustibles (Espace Go, 1996), Une journée particulière (Théâtre du Rideau Vert, 1985), Les Voisins (Compagnie Jean-Duceppe, 1980), Arlequin, valet de deux maîtres (Nouvelle Compagnie Théâtrale / Théâtre Denise-Pelletier, 1977), La Guerre, Yes Sir! (Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, 1970), and Rhinocéros (Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, 1968). He appeared in the Théâtre du Rideau Vert production of Hamlet (1999) as Polonius; it was his last stage performance.

Jean Besré's performances were marked by an absolute command of the stage and an attention to character detail that did not distract.

Source: Pascale Breton, "Jean Besré tué dans un accident," La Presse, Montreal, 15 March 2001; Sonia Sarfati, "Un dernier sourire," La Presse, Montreal, 16 March 2001.

Profile by Gaetan Charlebois

Last updated 2020-04-21