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Rémi Gaillard, born February 7, 1975 in Montpellier, is quite a character. Now 51 years old, he is about 1.75m tall, and despite his prankster side, he remains a passionate and committed man. He’s the kind to surprise you, make you laugh out loud, and then make you think.
We all remember his crazy videos on YouTube where he pulled all kinds of nonsense. The slogan “It’s by doing nonsense that you become anyone” is his banner, and frankly, Rémi really embodied it. He went from being a simple unemployed guy filming his antics in Montpellier to an essential figure in humor and even animal rights activism.
Before fame and the huge buzz, Gaillard played soccer for a local club, Le Crès, in the honor division. That’s where he learned a bit of discipline, but probably also to take risks. Unemployment arrived, and with it the crazy idea to film his clowning around to share with… the whole world. The internet never left him.
Now, he’s not just a goofy YouTuber. He got involved in local politics in Montpellier, and you’ll see that’s not ordinary. He combines humor and commitment, a funny mix that works quite well. Not to mention his real activist side, especially for animal rights.
Who is Rémi Gaillard? The face of offbeat humor made in Montpellier
Rémi is first and foremost a true Montpelliérain, who managed to turn “nonsense” into an art form. You spot him immediately with his jersey adorned with MHSC, a nod to his attachment to his city and club. Quite robust, at 1.75m, he often plays on closeness with the audience like a partner sharing his hijinks.
He doesn’t talk much in his videos, but he expresses himself so much with his actions and completely crazy costumes. Over time, he also became a disruptive voice, able to shake consciences. Beyond his online videos, Rémi is this man with two hats: rebellious comedian and passionate animal defender.
Before diving into the digital world, he had a fairly classic life as a regional club soccer player. The turning point was unemployment, a moment when he decided to do anything but conform. These videos, started in 1999, quickly went viral, propelling a “normal guy” into the big leagues, with a wild audience.
In real life, he’s a whole person, not just a caricature. Rémi Gaillard has never been afraid to confront official figures or provoke totally crazy situations to get a message across. No wonder he even tried his luck in Montpellier’s municipal elections, aiming to add a bit of madness and ecology.
Rémi Gaillard’s rock’n’roll career: from gags to big stages
Because let’s be honest, his videos are a big joke. Who else would have dared, for example, dressed as a soccer player, to circle the stadium during the French Cup final and shake Jacques Chirac’s hand without being noticed? I admit that kind of stunt commands respect, or at least a smile.
From improbable goals inside a police van to Mario Kart parodies with banana peels on the road, he invented his own style, a mix of absurd, mockery, and such huge cheek you either love him or hate him. The nods to Buster Keaton in his silent humor are a real bonus for cinema lovers.
His career has never been a smooth ride, with occasional tense confrontations with the press and TV. He even went through tough times and plagiarism accusations, never giving up. At the end of 2010, his videos shattered online view records. He even became one of the only French YouTubers to surpass one billion views.
And you know what? His commitment goes far beyond. Rémi regularly gives his time and money to animal causes, with spectacular and sometimes shocking actions, especially for the SPA of Montpellier. He also organized a special festival to raise funds and raise awareness about animal welfare.
The committed side of Rémi Gaillard: animal rights activist
Since 2015, you can feel Rémi has taken a more serious turn with animal causes. It’s no longer just behind a camera, but on the ground, a real fighter. He has multiplied campaigns with L214, PETA, and the Animal Protection Society, giving voice to those who cannot speak.
His style remains, of course, crazy: picture him as a dog to denounce abandonment, or locked in a cage to raise awareness about animals’ conditions in shelters. Yes, it’s sometimes borderline, but it really stirs emotions. Together with his friends, he even managed to raise several hundred thousand euros through well-organized actions.
And he hasn’t abandoned humor even in politics! During the 2020 municipal elections in Montpellier, he got nearly 10% of the vote with his slogan “Yes We Clown.” Honestly, had you ever seen a comedian do that before? He is still running in 2026, and his ideas like an underground stadium or an Amazonian greenhouse downtown are making people talk.
It shows that behind the clowning hides a man who truly wants to make a difference in his city. Not bad for a guy who could have been written off as a mere dilettante prankster, right? His site nimportequi.com and his YouTube channel are still there to witness his overflowing creativity and unfiltered commitment.
Anecdotes that bring a smile (or a cramp)
- ⚽ The famous stunt at the 2002 French Cup final where nobody noticed him circling the honor with President Chirac is pure art.
- 🦋 In 2010, disguised as a butterfly, he managed to “capture” a policeman with a net. Imagination knows no bounds with him.
- 🎭 In 2013, he tricked TF1 with a fake segment in “Confessions intimes” to denounce TV show fakery.
- 💥 To finance animal activism, he spent 86 hours locked in a cage at the SPA of Montpellier, raising over 200,000 euros.
These episodes reveal his incredible ability to mix gentle madness with real political or social messages. That’s what makes Rémi Gaillard unique in the French media landscape and why he still maintains a solid base of loyal fans today.
Montpellier, the city where he grew up and where he aims to make history
Montpellier is not just a city for Rémi, it’s a playground and a battlefield. Between his support for MHSC and his many local actions, you feel this strong and sincere bond. For the municipal elections, he proposes original projects that spark debate like a “zoologram” or even an underground stadium.
The thing is, he doesn’t just criticize—he also wants to show that you can think about the city differently. Honestly, his program causes a stir because he dares to imagine things nobody else would dare to propose, or at least not with such flair.
He may not have won, but with nearly 10% of the vote, he shook up the local political ant hill. And as he announced on X, he’s doing it again in 2026. This guy has perseverance to spare!
This mix of madness, politics, and social commitment continues to fascinate. He pushes us to rethink how we imagine the city, and that’s the magic of Rémi Gaillard at heart.
Key moments to remember from Rémi Gaillard’s life
- 🎥 First videos in 1999, a viral success that never faded.
- 👟 Amateur footballer at Le Crès, before becoming a comedian.
- 🌟 Over one billion views accumulated on his online videos.
- 🎭 Famous intrusions into sports events and TV shows.
- 🐶 Iconic actions for animal defense, with multiple fundraisers.
- 🏛 Municipalities: candidate in 2020 and 2026 Montpellier elections.
