Philippe Gaulier, clown guru and mentor to theatre and comedy greats, dies aged 82

Teacher who ran school outside Paris was a formative influence on generations of comedians and actors including Helena Bonham Carter and Emma Thompson

Master clown Philippe Gaulier, the influential founder of France's Ecole Philippe Gaulier, has died aged 82. Gaulier taught the art of clowning for decades and his students included Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Emma Thompson, Rachel Weisz and Geoffrey Rush.

Gaulier died on Monday due to complications from a lung infection. He had a stroke in 2023 and, since then, had received warm words of encouragement from all over the world", according to a statement made by his family. He seemed especially happy to receive letters and messages from his former students. Teaching was his passion and purpose in life."