Tombe de Michel Serrault

You are standing in the old cemetery of Neuilly-sur-Seine, the final resting place of one of France's most celebrated actors, Michel Serrault. While he gained international fame for his flamboyant role as the drag queen Zaza Napoli in the hit film La Cage aux Folles, his journey began far from the screen. As a young man, he attended a seminary with the intention of becoming a priest, only to abandon his studies after a few months to pursue his true passion for performance. His grave reflects a personal touch that hints at his lifelong fascination with the art of comedy. Carved onto the family monument is a simple caricature, a subtle nod to his early dreams of becoming a circus clown and his legendary career as a master of theatrical mischief. He lies here beside his wife, Juanita, and their eldest daughter, Caroline, who passed away in 1977. Although he was initially buried in Honfleur where he had a second home, his family arranged for his remains to be moved here in 2009 so that he could be reunited with his loved ones in the place he called home.