This Ifop poll for *La Tribune Dimanche* shows, first and foremost, that Coluche continues to hold an important place in the public consciousness. Forty years after his death, 68% of French people say they miss him. This figure rises to 76% among the “Coluche generation”—thatis, people who were 15 years old at the time of his death.
This result confirms the enduring strength of people’s attachment to Coluche, which goes beyond mere memories of the comedian. In spontaneous responses, the French associate him first and foremost with his human qualities and his charitable work—each cited by 26% of respondents—ahead of his humor (16%).
When French people are asked what they appreciate most about him, two aspects stand out clearly: his outspokenness (50%) and his commitment to fighting poverty (49%). Next come his criticism of the elites (38%) and of politicians (32%).
The study also shows that this outspokenness is considered difficult to replicate today. 70% of the French believe that Coluche could not make the same jokes or perform the same skits as he did in his day.
The French also have a very clear idea of the issues Coluche would speak out on today. According to them, he would first denounce poverty (47%), followed by inequality (39%). His legacy therefore remains strongly associated with social issues.
Finally, while Jean-Marie Bigard and Patrick Sébastien are the two names most often cited by the French when asked about Coluche’s possible successors—with 32% and 28% of mentions, respectively—the idea of a successor remains a minority view. A clear majority of the French public—62%—believes that Coluche remains unmatched today.
Read Éric Mandel’s article in La Tribune Dimanche: EXCLUSIVE POLL. Forty years after his death, 68% of the French miss Coluche
