Gerard Lanvin Mistaken for De Niro and Pacino in New York – Find Out Why!

Gérard Lanvin boasts an extensive and successful career spanning five decades, featuring popular hits such as Camping, Les Spécialistes, and Marche à l’ombre, Michel Blanc’s directorial debut. Last April, the actor (who wouldn’t repeat a 21-year-old mistake) spoke to Laurent Delahousse on the “20h30 le dimanche” show as a guest.

In Marche à l’ombre, a film described by Laurent Delahousse as having become a “cult classic through the generations,” Gérard Lanvin plays François, a weary backpacker determined to make it in the music industry. With his constant companion Denis (Michel Blanc), an expert in anxiety who serves as his polar opposite, he encounters numerous adventures, even making his way to New York!

“It was iconic for us as teenagers, a kind of escape and dream of somewhere else, seeing you with your backpack in Broadway, both of you…” Delahousse comments to Lanvin, who eagerly continues the discussion. “That steadicam shot, where suddenly, from cardboard boxes, we move over to New York City, with a producer who was keen on us filming at night to capture the lights of Broadway…” Lanvin recounts.

Gérard Lanvin’s Biggest Box Office Hit

“The area was locked down, there were thousands of people watching a significant shoot. Everyone probably assumed it was De Niro and Al Pacino.” Lanvin laughs. “And there I am, walking up and seeing guys hugely disappointed to see just two ordinary jokers passing a banana and a dollar.” The scene, in question, was shown right after on the show…

Nominated twice at the César Awards for Best First Work and Most Promising Actress for Sophie Duez, Marche à l’ombre was a massive public success and the biggest box office hit of Gérard Lanvin’s career. Indeed, over 6.1 million viewers had flocked to theaters to watch the adventures of this iconic French cinema duo.

Trailer for “The Backpacker,” the latest movie released in theaters featuring the late Michel Blanc: