Jean René Albert Berthollier, professionally known as Jean Bertho, was a multifaceted French creative individual who made a lasting impact in the world of entertainment and journalism.
Born on January 23, 1928, in Pont-à-Mousson, Berthollier's passion for the performing arts led him to study at the prestigious Conservatoire d'art dramatique de Nancy. He further honed his craft under the guidance of renowned instructors, including Charles Dullin, alongside fellow notable actors Jean Rochefort and Jean-Pierre Marielle.
Berthollier's early career as an actor spanned from 1949 to 1959, with an impressive résumé of nearly thirty film, television, and stage appearances. His versatility and talent soon led him to explore the realm of television news, beginning in 1961 as a contributor to Cinq colonnes à la une. He went on to produce several reports on Southeast Asia and later hosted various news programs, such as Lectures pour tous and En votre âme et conscience.
In 1965, Berthollier's charisma and expertise made him an ideal host for the popular television program C'est pas sérieux, a role he held from 1974 to 1982. He continued to make a name for himself as a versatile television personality, producing and hosting Télé à la Une on TF1 and Les Choses du lundi from 1984 to 1985.
Throughout his later years, Berthollier remained an integral part of the television landscape, regularly participating in the show Les Jeux de 20 heures. Following the privatization of TF1 in 1987, he shifted his focus to Antenne 2, producing and directing Les Choses du lundi.
Berthollier's creative pursuits extended beyond television, as he began to focus on writing in the 1990s. He authored a biography of Yvan Goll, which was published in the esteemed magazine Europe.
Sadly, Jean Bertho passed away on January 4, 2023, at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy that spanned multiple decades and mediums.
