Jean Gascon

Who was Jean Gascon?

Jean Gascon, CC was a Canadian opera director, actor, and administrator.

Originally bent on a career in medicine, Mr. Gascon abandoned it for the stage after considerable work with amateur groups in Montreal. A scholarship in 1946 from the Government of France enabled him to study dramatic art in Paris. After returning to Canada in 1951, when he co-founded Montreal's Theatre du Nouveau Monde and became its Artistic Director, Mr. Gascon's career in the Canadian theatre as a bilingual actor and director achieved an impressive reputation. As founding Administrative Director of the National Theatre School of Canada, he was awarded the Canadian Drama Award, the Prix Victor Dore, honorary degrees from McGill and Bishops Universities, and the Molson Award; among others. As an actor in both English and French languages his credits include such noteworthy portrayals as Richard in "Richard II", and the Captain in "Dance of Death".

From 1968 to 1974, he was the artistic director of the Stratford Festival of Canada.

He was the French-red skin Batise in the 1970 movie A Man Called Horse.