Janine Sutto

A legend of stage and screen, Janine Sutto carved out an amazing career as one of the founding mothers of Québec radio, theater, film and television. Born April 20, 1921 in Paris, France, Janine Sutto hailed from an artistic family who immigrated to Montréal, Québec in the 1930s. She began her professional acting career as a teenager with roles on several radio dramas and soon broadened her scope to include theatrical work as well. As she progressed, Sutto garnered major acclaim as one of the pioneering lights of Québec theatre, scoring celebrated runs at such groundbreaking companies as the Montréal Repertory Theatre, the Théâtre Arcade, Théâtre du Nouveau Monde and Théâtre du Rideau Vert. Among her many stage triumphs, Sutto created the role of Lisette de Courval in Michel Tremblay's famous production "Les Belles-soeurs." The actress also played a major role in the early days of Québec cinema and television, cementing her national treasure status with long-running roles on programs like "Symphorien" (Télé-Métropole, 1970-77), "Y'a pas de problème" (Radio-Canada, 1975-77), "Monsieur le ministre" (Radio-Canada, 1982-86) and "Poivre et sel" (Radio-Canada, 1983-87). Awarded the Grand Prix de l'Académie in 2000 from the Gémeaux Awards, she was also honored with the prestigious l'Ordre national du Québec and l'Ordre du Canada. Sutto's off-screen life was equally fascinating, and she was married to Québec directing legend Pierre Dagenais as well as French theatrical genius Henri Deyglun, with whom she welcomed their daughter, actress Mireille Deyglun.