Who was Marc Messier? Prominent Quebec actor dead at 78 - Check cause of death

Marc Messier was one of Quebec’s most beloved actors, with a celebrated career spanning over 50 years in television, film, and theater. Born on August 16, 1947, in Granby, Quebec, he became a household name through iconic productions such as 'Broue', 'La petite vie', 'Lance et compte', and the hit 'Les Boys' film franchise. Over the decades, he earned multiple Gémeaux and Artis awards and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2025 for his contributions to Canadian culture. Messier died on Tuesday at the age of 78 after a brief illness, his agency, Agence Goodwin, announced in a media statement. He is survived by his three children and leaves behind a lasting legacy in Quebec’s entertainment industry.

Messier, who built one of the most enduring careers in Quebec’s entertainment industry, was best known as the co-creator and star of 'Broue', the iconic comedy he launched in 1979 with the late Michel Côté and Marcel Gauthier. The stage production became a cultural phenomenon, running for 38 years with 3,322 performances and drawing more than three million audience members.

On television, Messier became a familiar face through his memorable portrayal of 'Réjean' in the beloved sitcom 'La petite' vie. Hockey fans also recognized him from acclaimed productions such as 'Lance et compte' and the popular 'Les Boys' franchise, both of which celebrated Quebec’s passion for the sport. His final television role was Pop in the series 'Welcome to Kingston Falls'.


A graduate of Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe’s acting program, Messier appeared in numerous successful TV dramas and comedy specials throughout his career, including 'Omertà', 'Toute la vérité', 'La faille', and several Bye Bye holiday specials. His film credits included 'The Sphinx' (1995), directed by Louis Saia, and 'My Mother’s Men' (2022), directed by Anick Jean.

In recent years, he returned to the stage with the one-man production 'Alone... on Stage!', a performance that combined storytelling, poetry, humor, and personal reflections. Throughout his decades-long career, Messier received widespread recognition for his talent and outstanding contributions to Quebec’s performing arts.