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Raymond Bouchard, actor, comedian, theatre director (born 7 March 1945 in Lauzon (now Lévis), QC; died 21 February 2026 in Montreal, QC). A gifted and multi-faceted actor, Raymond Bouchard has been featured in many québécois productions. He left his mark on Quebec culture in television, film and stage. Bouchard’s performance in La grande séduction (2003, trad. Seducing Doctor Lewis) paved his way to international French-language cinema. He won two Prix Gémeaux (1990, 2003) and was nominated at the 2004 Jutra Awards (now Prix Iris) for best actor.
Education and Early Years
Raymond Bouchard was first a history, literature, and archeology student. He possessed a deep warm voice and sang in his secondary school choir. He later enrolled at the Conservatoire de musique et d'art dramatique du Québec, which led to his becoming an actor "through the back door," according to him.
In Theatre
Raymond Bouchard directed Jacques Duchesne's theatre company the Troupe des Treize in the mid-1960s. In 1971, Bouchard and Paul Hébert founded the Théâtre du Trident, which developped into one of Quebec's most important cultural institutions.
On stage, an activity Bouchard has maintained parallel with his career on television, he has given outstanding performances in the classical repertoire, namely in 12 hommes en colère, Le médecin malgré lui, and Le malade imaginaire. In 2012, he shouldered the role of a man with Alzheimer's disease in Michel Tremblay's play L'Oratorio de Noël.
In Television and Cinema
Through the years, Raymond Bouchard has been seen in around 30 television features and series. The variety of TV series he has appeared in demonstrate the range and scope of his abilities. Whether in L'or et le papier (1989–92), D'amour et d'amitié (1990–92), Scoop (1992–94), Annie et ses hommes (2002–09), Lance et compte (2002–10), Casino (2006–08), Tranches de vie (2010–13), Mauvais Karma (2010–11) or L’Imposteur (2016–17), his artistry has remained constant.
Raymond Bouchard has built a thriving career on the big screen with more than 10 films to his credit, including Laura Cadieux … la suite (1999, trad. Laura Cadieux II), Ding et Dong (1990), La Florida (1993), L'Automne sauvage (1992) and La grande séduction (2003, trad. Seducing Doctor Lewis) which, in the actor's own words, was "a true gift." However, it was his striking performance as the crafty Germain Lesage that eventually earned him a role in the French film King Guillaume (2009). Bouchard also played in the production La vie avec mon père (2005).
Honours
In 1990, Raymond Bouchard was awarded two Prix Gémeaux : one for best male lead in the television drama L'or et le papier (1990), followed by another for best supporting actor as the father in the series Annie et ses hommes (2003). In 2004, for his character in La grande séduction (trad. Seducing Doctor Lewis), Bouchard was nominated at the Jutra Awards (now Prix Iris) for best actor.
