Pauline Martin

Early Years and Education

Pauline Martin grew up in Chicoutimi, in the Saguenay region of Quebec. She began classical studies, then enrolled in the Fine Arts program at the CEGEP de Jonquière. However, it was in 1973 at CEGEP Lionel-Groulx de Sainte-Thérèse that she obtained her Diploma of Professional College Studies in Theatre. She completed her training with two years of classical singing with Madame Lorette Bailly.

Cinema

In 1976, Pauline Martin’s name started to appear in credits for several films. For example, she was listed in Claude Fournier’s Je suis loin de toi Mignonne (1976), Lucille Leduc’s Monsieur Zéro (1977) as well as Denys Arcand‘s Jésus de Montréal (1989) and L’âge des ténèbres (2007), just to name a few.

Theatre

However, it was through theatre that the public began to notice Pauline Martin from 1979 to 1984, when she appeared alone on stage in Louis Saïa and Louise Roy's play Bachelor. From then on, she was on stage to play various characters in some forty theatrical productions, whether during the Montreal season, or on tour in summer theatres.

In 1986, she put her directing talents to work for her friends Marcel Leboeuf and Normand Chouinard when she helped them launch the thriving Théâtre des Grands Chênes.

Television

In 1976, Pauline Martin was also on television in different series and shows such as Grand-papa (1976–1979), Minibus (1983–1988), Virginie (1997–2002), Le négociateur (2005–2008) and Tranches de vie (2010).

She also showcased her talents as a comedian by joining comedy shows such as Bye Bye at the end of the year from 1980 to 1988, Samedi de rire or Samedi PM. It was on these shows that she introduced us to her famous caricatural characters Jean-Luc Mongrain and her no less famous Rose-Aimée Dupuis, who earned her 3 Artis awards in comedy. She also brilliantly hosted the whimsical shows Surprise sur prise en rappel, Miniquizz and Mais où se cache Carmen San Diego, demonstrating the versatility of her many talents.

Radio

In 2000, CBC asked Pauline Martin to become the Miss Météo on the morning radio show C’est bien meilleur le matin hosted by René Homier-Roy. She was experienced and had already held several other hosting and replacement positions at other radio stations (CJRP-CJMS-CKAC); she accepted the challenge and held the position for five years before returning to acting.

Honours

In 1985, Pauline Martin received a Prix Gémeaux for Best Performance, awarded to the Bye Bye 1985 team. In 1989, 1990 and 1992 she was considered the most popular artist in the comedy category and was awarded an Artis Award for her remarkable performances. Then in 2005, she was nominated for a Prix Gémeaux as Best Actress, Drama Series, for her role in Le négociateur. At the 2007 Gala des Masques, Martin was again nominated for Best Actress for her role as Antoinette in the play Florence.

Equally at home in drama series and comedy shows, as a host or director, Pauline Martin is one of the great names of the Quebec artistic world.