Biography

(on emerging from the working-class suburbs of Paris) There are two Frances that exist side by side. For me, it was only when I started to work that I saw the other France, that I heard other ways of speaking. We knew it existed. But we didn't ever see it.

I understood from a very young age that school was important and that my parents were making great sacrifices for me. Every morning I saw my father get up and go to a job that he didn't really like. They came to France for the same reasons all immigrants move to another country - so their kids could have a better way of life.

I never predicted that I'd be a comedian, but it was something that came so naturally to me. I just felt good doing it.

When I was young, a lot of things were closed off to me. I was always told, 'Don't do this, you can't do that' - instead of stopping me, it made me think, 'I can do that, I must do that.'

When I was a boy, my older brothers listened to Earth, Wind & Fire and Kool and the Gang. When I would try to get into their room, they would close the door and say, 'You can't hear that. It's not for a child!' Now, I can listen to it and enjoy it.