Ticky Holgado first lived in the orbit of yé-yé, as odd-job man and friend of Claude François. The cinema came late and never let him go: after Delicatessen, in 1991, some sixty films in fifteen years, and two César nominations. Three lines were enough for him to hold the screen, and that is a craft in itself. His autobiography was titled Trente ans de merdier.
The story
Born in Toulouse in 1944, Joseph Holgado sang at sixteen under the name Ricky James; a compère mangled the first name into “Ticky”, and the nickname stayed with him for life. He then lived on the fringe of the yéyé years, France's early sixties pop boom, as personal secretary to Claude François and then to Johnny Hallyday.
Cinema came late and never let go of him. Delicatessen, in 1991, gave him the face nobody forgets; some sixty films followed in fifteen years.
Two César nominations saluted this supporting work, for Une époque formidable in 1992 and Gazon maudit in 1996. He could hold the screen in three lines, which is a trade of its own.
On 5 January 2004 he began shooting Claude Lelouch's Les Parisiens. He filmed a message there that would only be seen after his death: “Tell people they have to stop smoking altogether.”
Lung cancer took him on 22 January 2004. He lies in Division 45, avenue Transversale n°1, first row, under a bronze bust and an epitaph that reads: “Il est parti comme il a vécu, comme un Ange” — he left as he lived, like an angel.
The grave
A bronze bust tops the stone: the work is by Pierre Louis Gayraud, but it is unsigned. The epitaph, for its part, fits in one sentence his family and friends wanted: “Ticky HOLGADO 1944-2004. He left as he lived, like an Angel.” For an actor who never held a leading role, it is one of the most visited graves in Division 45.
On site, do not miss
The bronze bust, an unsigned work by Pierre Louis Gayraud, and the epitaph that must be read in full: “He left as he lived, like an Angel.”
Visitors' questions
Where is Ticky Holgado's grave?
In Division 45, Avenue Transversale No. 1, first row, beneath a bronze bust. The singer Édith Lefel rests in the same row, and Gilbert Bécaud in the same Division: this is a sector of performers.
Édith LefelIn which films can Ticky Holgado be seen?
Some sixty, including Delicatessen in 1991, Une époque formidable in 1991 and Gazon maudit in 1995 — the last two earning him César nominations. He could hold the screen with three lines, which is a profession in its own right.
Daniel Toscan du PlantierWhat is written on Ticky Holgado's grave?
“Ticky HOLGADO 1944-2004. Il est parti comme il a vécu, comme un Ange” — he left as he lived, like an Angel. A bronze bust tops the stone: the work is by the sculptor Pierre Louis Gayraud, but it bears no signature. It is one of the most visited graves in Division 45.
Sophie DaumierWhat did Ticky Holgado do before the cinema?
He lived in the world of yé-yé, France's 1960s pop scene, close to Dick Rivers, Johnny Hallyday and Claude François, whose right-hand man he was. The cinema came late: his first major role, Delicatessen, dates from his forty-sixth year.
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