Jean-Marie Gaubert

JEAN-MARIE GAUBERT

Date of Birth: July 10, 1945

Born in Paris, France, as Jean-Marie Poiré, this writer/director eventually became one of the most successful comedy creators in France. Gaubert kept his Poiré name for years, and didn't change it until he began to work in the States in the late '90s.

He started his career as an assistant cameraman, but soon moved on to assisting editors and directors. On the side he used his musical talents to set up a band called The Frenchies for which he was lead singer.

He worked extensively on commercial work completing around 60 projects. In the late '60s, Gaubert used his experience in film and began to write screenplays. Many among his first films, Faut Pas Prendre Les Enfants Du Bon Dieu Pour Des Canards Sauvages, Une Veuve En Or, and Elle Cause Plus, Elle Flingue were co-written with writer/director Michel Audiard. He also wrote solo projects like Quelques Messieurs Trop Tranquilles, and Pas De Problem!

Taking his first feature length directorial bow in 1978 with his film Les Petits câlins (a film he also wrote), he went on to direct two successful films, Retour En Force and Les Hommes Préfèrent Les Grosses. In 1982 he began working with actor/writer Christian Clavier. The duo became very successful with projects like Les Visiteurs which became the highest grossing film in France ever, (as well as garnering Gaubert nominations from the César Awards for Best Director, Best Film and Best Writing) and its sequel, Les Visiteurs II. Les Visiteurs also sprouted notice across the pond and seven years later the film was re-done for American audiences (Just Visiting).

In 1996, Gaubert and Clavier continued their collaboration in theatre with the highly successful play, Panique Au Plazza. The play was so successful that they produced a live television broadcast of the play, which was later released on DVD.

Filmography (director):

Just Visiting (2001)
Les Couloirs du temps: Les visiteurs 2 (1998)
Les Anges gardiens (1995)
Les Visiteurs (1993)
Opération Corned-Beef (1991)
Mes meilleurs copains (1989)
Twist again à Moscou (1986)
Papy fait de la résistance (1983)
Le Père Noël est une ordure (1982)
Les Hommes préfèrent les grosses (1981)
Retour en force (1979)
Les Petits câlins (1978)

Filmography (writer):

Just Visiting (2001)
Les Couloirs du temps: Les visiteurs 2 (1998)
Les Anges gardiens (1995)
Les Visiteurs (1993)
Opération Corned-Beef (1991)
Mes meilleurs copains (1989)
Twist again à Moscou (1986)
Papy fait de la résistance (1983)
Le Père Noël est une ordure (1982)
Les Hommes préfèrent les grosses (1981)
Les Petits câlins (1978)
Monsieur Papa (1977)
La Septième compagnie au clair de lune (1977)
Dracula père et fils (1977)
On a retrouvé la 7e compagnie (1976)
Pas de problème! (1975)
Quelques messieurs trop tranquilles (1972)
Elle boit pas, elle fume pas, elle drogue pas, mais... elle cause! (1970)