
Dominique Michel
Acting • Born 1932-09-24
Biography
Dominique Michel (born Aimée Sylvestre; September 24, 1932) is a retired Québec comedian, actress, singer and artist. She began her career in cabarets performing songs written by Raymond Lévesque and subsequently sang with Jean Coutu. She made her television debut co-hosting a variety show then widened her audience with her first sitcom Moi et l'autre in which she co-starred with Denise Filiatrault. The show was an enormous success during its run from 1966 to 1972 and made Michel a household name in Quebec. She has been married only once in 1958 to New York Rangers all star Camille Henry but later divorced in 1960. From 1977 to 1982, she had numerous leading roles in television programs such as Dominique, Chère Isabelle and Métro-boulot-dodo. Michel's first film role was in Tiens-toi bien après les oreilles à papa with Yvon Deschamps in 1971. She played for cineast Denys Arcand in two movies well known outside of Quebec: The Decline of the American Empire (Le Déclin de l'empire américain) and its sequel The Barbarian Invasions (Les Invasions barbares). She is also a comedian. She notably co-starred with Daniel Lemire and has hosted the Festival Juste pour rire multiple times. Michel also showed her multiple comedic talents in the year-end review show Bye Bye from Radio-Canada in which she would do multiple impressions on top of hosting the 90 minutes special. In 1992, Michel received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in broadcasting. In 1994, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada "for her encouragement of humour and her contribution to the cultural life of the country."[1] In 2002, she was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec. In 1995, she received, jointly with Denise Filiatrault, the Grand Prix Gémeau from l'Académie canadienne du cinéma et de la télévision for lifetime achievements. In 2010, at 77, it was announced that she had colon cancer. After undergoing chemotherapy treatments, she declared in April 2011 that she was cancer-free.
Filmography
43 credits
The Barbarian Invasions
Movie • 2003
Dominique St. Arnaud

Juste pour rire - 35 ans d'ovations
Movie • 2017
Self (archive footage)

The Decline of the American Empire
Movie • 1986
Dominique

Let's sing now
Movie • 1956
Self

I've Had It
Movie • 1973
Danielle Cartier

Louis the 19th, King of the Airwaves
Movie • 1994
Aline Jobin

Far Away From You, Darling
Movie • 1976
Rita

Janette Bertrand : à l'aube d'être centenaire
Movie • 2023
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

There's Always a Way to Find a Way
Movie • 1973
Mother Superior

Hold on to Daddy's Ears
Movie • 1971
Suzanne David

Les aventures d'une jeune veuve
Movie • 1974
Hélène

The Crime of Ovide Plouffe
Movie • 1984
L'agente de voyage

Night Zoo
Movie • 1987
Receptionist at peep-show

Jukebox
Movie • 2020
Self (archive footage)

Laura Cadieux II
Movie • 1999
Mother-in-law

Valérie et moi
Movie • 2019
Self

Les Tisserands du pouvoir
Movie • 1988
Henriette Fontaine

Juste pour rire - Juste le meilleur des Galas 2005
Movie • 2005

Daniel Lemire - 40 ans de carrière
Movie • 2024
Self

Cette année-là
TV • 2018
Self

C'est dans l'air!
TV • 2004
Self

Le 101, ouest, avenue des Pins
TV • 1984
Sonia

La semaine des 4 Julie
TV • 2020
Self

Tout le monde en parle
TV • 2004
Self

Viens-tu faire un tour?
TV • 2014
Self

Le beau dimanche
TV • 2017
Self

Les échangistes
TV • 2016
Self

Bye Bye
TV • 1968

Juste Pour Rire - Galas
TV
Self

MTL
TV • 2017
Self

Conversation secrète
TV • 2017
Self

Qui êtes-vous?
TV • 2013
Self

Marina
TV • 2014
Self

Viens voir les comédiens
TV • 2002
Self

Bonsoir bonsoir!
TV • 2019
Self

Le moment de vérité
TV • 2007
Self

Vox pop
TV • 2016
Self

Les Enfants de la télé
TV • 2010
Self

Champs-Elysées
TV • 1982
Self

Juste pour rire: 25 grands numéros
TV • 2008
Self

Catherine
TV • 1999
Rachel Salvail

Moi... et l'autre
TV • 1966
Dominique André

The Crime of Ovide Plouffe
TV • 1984