Jean-Louis Roux

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Jean-Louis Roux, CC, CQ (born May 18, 1923) is a noted entertainer and playwright, senator, and briefly Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, Canada.

Born in Montreal, Quebec, he originally studied medicine at the Université de Montréal, but gave it up to pursue acting. After travelling and performing in New York and Paris he returned to Montreal and helped create the Théâtre du nouveau monde and became a frequent actor in and director of its productions for the next several years. He also turned to writing and wrote successful plays, radio dramas, and television shows.

His greatest fame comes from his role on La famille Plouffe, a very successful Quebec situation comedy. In 1994 he was appointed the Senate and remained there until resigning in 1996. A fierce anti-separatist, great controversy arose when he compared Quebec separatists to Nazis.

Upon leaving the Senate he was, at age 73, the oldest person ever appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec on August 8, 1996. Controversy reemerged when pictures showing Roux wearing a swastika were found as a youth in the 1930s. Roux thus resigned his position on November 5, 1996. On May 31, 1997 Roux returned to public life when the government appointed him to be chair of the Canada Council.

In 1971 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 1987. In 1989, he was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec.