We'll never forget you
Jacques Villeret.
5 February 1951 - 28 January 2005.

Jacques Villeret died Friday, 28 January at his country home near Evreux at the age of 53. He endeared himself to French and worldwide audiences through his comic roles in 60 films over a career which spanned 30 years. Though comedy was his metier, he was known off camera to be a melancholy, tempramental loner and a demanding perfectionist. On the contrary, for a brief interlude over two weeks last spring Jacques Villeret added a charming and delightful presence to Rick's Café.
It was a quiet Sunday night last April, and we'd been open around 6 weeks. A party of three came in and Issam recognized Jacques Villeret. It happened that he was doing some location shooting in Morocco for what turned out to be his last film "Iznogoud" and was put in the hands of two "minders" to show him Casablanca.
While enjoying oysters and white wine he was clearly relaxed and happy in our ambience, asking about Rick's, listening to our stories - and all the while expressing with furtive glances his eagerness to break away from his handlers. When he next came in - with three others - my friend Abdou Alaoui was dining with his sister Rachida, visiting from Belgium, and they recognized him.before too long Jacques was sitting at their table in animated conversation, having a much better time.



The last time we saw him was a few nights later, and by this time it was clear he had a special feeling for Rick's. That night we had a French bar client, born in Morocco who spoke about the difficulties he had feeling a nationality for either place. Jacques Villeret walked in and took a table next to the piano. It grew late, Issam started playing some of the nostalgic French chansons - I vividly remember Lili Marlene - and soon the bar client and Jacques Villeret were singing along. I remember it was after closing time when La Marseillaise was played.and we said our warm goodbyes, expecting to see him back. I'd always hoped he'd walk