Jacques Francini

Jacques Francini of his real name Jacques Massonnat was born in Marseille, bouches-du-rhône, France. He began his career as a classical singer. In 1946, he was rewarded with the prize of the Conservatoire d'Aix-en-Provence. In the early 1950s, he went to Paris to become an actor. The one who is now called Jacques Francini, then makes his debut on television in the programs of Jean Nohain. He then met Michel Marillier with whom he formed the duo of clowns Les Francini who will perform especially at the winter circus. A few years later, he met Alex Bugny de Brailly, with whom he formed the duo Alex and Francini which lasted more than twenty years. The duo regularly participates in the show "La piste aux étoiles", a pioneering broadcast of entertainment in France, as well as to the emission of Guy Lux. After the end of the program "La piste aux étoiles" in 1978, Jacques Francini moved to Peillac, Brittany, while continuing to perform on stage. He also opens a school of clowns. In 2010, he plays the play "Parvum d'automne", then goes on tour. He died on 5 March 2012 at the hospital of Vannes, Morbihan, France, at the age of 85 years.