Currently on tour throughout France for his new show “Episode 4,” Sellig will be present at the Théâtre de Verdure in Nice on September 5, for the 2015 edition of the Rentrée de l’Humour.
Sellig, whose real name is Gilles Magnard, was born on June 29, 1969, in Lyon, from a working-class background. As a child, he wasn’t very diligent in school, preferring to clown around to entertain his classmates. After obtaining a vocational diploma as a cook and an apprenticeship in Bouchons Lyonnais, he worked in a retirement home as a sous-chef.
He took his first steps on stage in 1992 with the association “La rencontre des arts.” After a successful participation in the show “Graines de stars” on M6 and several comedy festivals, he was spotted by Philippe Vaillant, who produced his first show, directed by Anne Roumanoff. Sellig then permanently left cooking for comedy.
His first one-man show, “Sellig Episode 1,” comprised of sketches about daily life, remained on the bill at the Théâtre de Dix Heures in Paris for two years. His characters, authentic average French people facing the challenges of daily life (marriage, moving, being late for work, shopping at Ikea…), make Sellig a true popular comedian, in the noble sense of the term.
He creates a gallery of delightful characters (his brother-in-law Bernard and his sister) whose adventures are followed from show to show. “I am a mirror for people,” chuckles this attentive observer of everyday life. Over time, Sellig has built, by traveling across France, a loyal audience who appreciate and follow him wherever he goes.
This Lyon native, who has always refused to leave his beloved hometown to succeed in Paris, stands by his choice of a quiet career. This self-taught individual, passionate about psychoanalysis, has found peace of mind and enjoyment in practicing his profession, far removed from the competitive hustle and bustle of Paris, which hasn’t stopped him for years from doing a hundred shows a year.
This humor craftsman was also a columnist alongside Christine Bravo in the short-lived show “Douce France.” He played one of the main roles in the film “Nos amis les terriens,” directed by his great friend, writer Bernard Werber. In 2008, Sellig wrote his first humorous science fiction novel, prefaced by Bernard Werber, “Pour une poignée de Koumlacks,” followed by “Des clones et des Koumlacks” two years later.
Alongside Yves Lecoq, he participates in presenting the show “Les Grands du Rire” broadcast on France 3 on Saturday afternoons. Sellig is also very present on the radio Rires et chansons, which airs his sketches several times a day. In 2013, he appeared in an episode of the series “C’est la crise” broadcast on Comédie +, alongside Anne Roumanoff, Martin Matte, Claudia Tagbo, and Nicolas Pinson. Keen on teaching, Sellig gives café-théâtre courses at the Nombril du Monde in Lyon.
