Antoine de Caunes

Antoine de Caunes, born on December 1, 1953, is a multifaceted French personality renowned for his work as a television presenter, comedian, actor, journalist, writer, and film director. He hails from a prominent family, being the son of notable figures in French media, Georges de Caunes and Jacqueline Joubert, and is also the father of actress Emma de Caunes.

De Caunes initiated his career in the entertainment industry by composing theme songs for animated series on Antenne 2, adopting the pseudonym Paul Persavon for productions like Cobra and Space Sheriff Gavan (or X-Or in France). His television journey took off with appearances on Chorus (1975) and the series Les Enfants du rock, but he gained widespread recognition through the groundbreaking show Nulle part ailleurs on Canal+.

In 1988, he ventured into the English-speaking market by creating an English-language version of his music show Rapido for BBC2's DEF II, which aired on Wednesday nights. He is perhaps best known for co-creating the iconic magazine show Eurotrash on Channel 4, which he hosted alongside Jean Paul Gaultier, offering a humorous take on European culture. His short-lived chat show Le Show also aired on Channel 4, and he made appearances in advertising campaigns, including one for Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles.

From 2013 to 2015, he hosted the daily evening program Le Grand Journal on Canal+. De Caunes has lent his voice to the Aardman Animation series Rex the Runt and, in a commitment to social issues, launched a magazine titled Vieux in May 2024, focusing on the challenges faced by the elderly. He is also a dedicated advocate for AIDS awareness, actively supporting the organization Solidarité sida.