Thierry Ardisson's funeral service is set for Thursday in Paris, with a somber black attire as a fitting tribute.
Thierry Ardisson, the legendary producer and TV host, passed away on Monday at the age of 76 in Paris due to cancer. This week, his friends, family, and enemies gathered at Saint-Roch Church in Paris to bid a final goodbye to the man in black, as his funeral invitation card read.
The funeral ceremony was a fitting tribute to Ardisson's unique personality, noted for its eclectic soundtrack, much like the man himself. The service was a reflection of Ardisson's passion for trends, both in the short term and his deep concern for the long term and the future.
Ardisson had declared his choice of music for his funeral on the set of his friend Léa Salamé on France 2 in May. This week, Paris Match published a photo of Ardisson lying in a coffin on its cover, as he had requested it to be published at his death.
The "Ardisson dress code" was explicitly mentioned in the funeral invitation, requesting guests to dress in black, with the option to wear or not wear sunglasses, as a nod to Ardisson's signature style. The choice of black attire was a tribute to Ardisson's iconic style, often associated with wearing black.
Invited guests were asked to follow the Ardisson dress code, with a black suit (with or without sunglasses) being the requirement. The funeral will take place this Thursday, July 17, at 4:30 PM, followed by a private burial. Access to the interior of the church will be reserved for invited guests only.
Throughout his life, Ardisson was known to be obsessed with the afterlife. In his "last judgment interview" with Paris Match in 2005, he expressed a desire to find specific individuals in the afterlife, including Denise Glaser, François Chalais, John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul Morand, and Alain Pacadis.
In 2022, Ardisson briefly returned to the screen with the show "Hôtel du temps" on France 3. The documentary, directed by his wife Audrey Crespo-Mara, traces Ardisson's life in 10 commandments, up to the last one. An intimate documentary about Ardisson, titled "The hidden face of the man in black", was also broadcast on TF1 on Wednesday evening.
Ardisson's life and career will continue to inspire many, as he leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
The funeral service honored Ardisson's fascination with pop-culture, playing an eclectic soundtrack that reflected his tastes. Celebrities and fans alike followed the Ardisson dress code, dressing in black, commemorating his iconic style and his enduring impact on entertainment.
