Denise Pelletier, OC (May 22, 1923 - May 24, 1976) was a Canadian actress.
Denise Pelletier was born on May 22, 1923 was born in Saint-Jovite, Quebec to father Albert Pelletier, a literary critic, and mother Marie-Reine Vaugeois. Her mother was very cultured and helped Denise's love of theatre flourish. Her brother Gilles was also interested in theatre and acting, so Pelletier grew up in a theatre-centric household. Pelletier attended Congrégation Notre-Dame, and although she received good marks, despised her studies. After leaving school, Pelletier noticed an advertisement for acting courses offered by the Montreal Repertory Theatre, enrolled and was quickly given a part. At the theatre she performed in various classical plays, and also performed in some radio operas.[1][2]
In 1943, Pelletier appeared in one of the first Québécois films, À la Croisée des Chemins. One of the few Canadian actors at the time performing in both English and French, she continued to wow audiences with titles such as the 1947 production of Les Parents terribles. In 1951 Pelletier met Jean Gascon at Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, who would go on to receive the Order of Canada. In 1952, television arrived in Canada and Pelletier jumped on the bandwagon, appearing in one of her most famous roles as Cécile in Les Plouffes. Although she preferred the stage, Pelletier was crowned 'Miss Radio Television' in 1955 and starred opposite Jean Duceppe in De Neuf à Cinq in 1968. During the 1970s she also played in Mont-Joye and Michel Tremblay's Trois Petits Tours. In 1970 she was awarded the Order of Canada and performed in the Stratford Festival's show The Divine Sarah as her last performance in 1975. Before the play could be performed in Montreal, Pelletier died during a heart operation on May 24, 1976. To celebrate her legacy, the Quebec government created the Prix Denise-Pelletier.[1]