Françoise Faucher

From her stage debut in Montreal in 1951, actress, director and broadcaster Françoise Faucher has personified the dynamic vitality of Quebec theatre. She has played a central role in the development of Quebec culture and inspired an entire generation of theatre artists (particularly women) with her boundless dedication. Born in France in 1929, Faucher studied philosophy before immigrating to Canada at 21. She has appeared in numerous TV series and performed in more than 150 plays at Montreal's leading theatres. Faucher has hosted several popular radio and television shows, notably the groundbreaking Femme d'aujourd'hui (1966-81). Passionate about literature, she regularly gives staged readings of works by classic French authors, and has also toured extensively in Quebec speaking on serious issues such as Alzheimer's disease, the Holocaust, violence against women and palliative care.