French broadcaster Philippe Bouvard, creator of Les Grosses Têtes, dies at 96 in Cannes

Philippe Bouvard, the veteran French journalist and broadcaster, died at his home in Cannes on Monday at the age of 96, his wife informed RTL. Bouvard’s career spanned more than 70 years, making him one of France’s most recognizable media figures. He was best known as the creator and long-time host of RTL’s *Les Grosses Têtes*, a popular radio program he launched in 1977 and led for 37 years before Laurent Ruquier succeeded him in 2014.
Born in Coulommiers, Seine-et-Marne, on Dec. 6, 1929, Bouvard began his career as a messenger at *Le Figaro* in 1953 before becoming a reporter and columnist. He later worked for publications including *France-Soir*, *Paris Match*, *Le Point* and *Nice-Matin*. His dry humor and ability to blend current affairs with entertainment defined his public persona, extending his influence across newspapers, radio, television, theater and books.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, paid tribute to Bouvard, describing him as a gifted master of language who embodied a distinctly French freedom of expression. The Élysée praised his wit, writing and ability to combine humor, culture and critical observations of current affairs. Macron said Bouvard had accompanied generations of French people through his “voice, spirit, freedom of tone and humor,” adding that France had lost “a free figure, a *Grosse Tête*.” Ruquier, who took over *Les Grosses Têtes*, called Bouvard a master of the profession, an example and a model .
Noël Godin, the Belgian artist and activist known for his pie-throwing antics against public figures, died on Sunday at the age of 80, his partner confirmed to AFP and Belga news agency. Godin, also known by his alias Georges Le Gloupier, targeted politicians, artists and business leaders he deemed arrogant, including French philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy, whom he struck with cream pies eight times over 30 years. His most high-profile attack came in 1998 in Brussels, when he hit Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, an incident that drew significant media attention .
Godin’s other notable targets included former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary and singer Patrick Bruel, though in some cases he relied on accomplices to carry out the attacks. He described his actions as a form of anarchist humor, declaring war on authority figures he considered self-important. In interviews, he referred to his victims as “pompeux cornichons” (pretentious gherkins) and took pride in his 1998 strike against Gates, calling it his “best shot” .
Godin, a cinephile and writer, authored *Anthologie de la subversion carabinée*, published in 1988 and reissued this year. He also appeared in films such as *La Vie sexuelle des Belges* and *Camping Cosmos*, both directed by Jan Bucquoy. His first pie attack occurred in 1969, targeting French filmmaker Marguerite Duras .
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