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Entertainment • Actor

Julien Poulin

Julien Poulin was a Québécois actor, film director, screenwriter and producer from Montréal, Québec.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Julien Poulin was a Québécois actor, film director, screenwriter and producer from Montréal, Québec. He was best known for portraying Bob Gratton in the Elvis Gratton film series and for a long career in Quebec theatre, film and television. He died in 2025 at the age of 78.

Early life and career

Julien Poulin was born in Montréal in 1946 and started in theatre before making his film debut in 1973. His early work connected him with the Quebec film scene that shaped much of his later career.

Elvis Gratton character

Poulin is most closely associated with Bob Gratton, a comic character from the Elvis Gratton films. The role became one of the most recognizable figures in Quebec popular culture.

Film and television work

Across several decades, Poulin appeared in numerous Quebec films and television series, including drama, comedy and historical works. Sources describe his career as spanning roughly a hundred screen credits.

Other work in the arts

Beyond acting, Poulin also worked as a director, screenwriter and producer, and he remained active in theatre. His career included collaboration with filmmaker Pierre Falardeau.

Key facts

  • Poulin began his artistic career in theatre before moving into film in the early 1970s.
  • He became widely known for the recurring character Bob Gratton, also called Elvis Gratton.
  • His filmography included more than 100 screen roles across film and television.
  • He worked in several capacities in Quebec entertainment, including acting, directing and writing.
  • He appeared in notable films such as Taking Lives, Camion, Miraculum and Arsenault et Fils.
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Canadian context

Poulin was a major figure in Quebec culture and French-language Canadian screen entertainment, with a career rooted in Montréal and a widely recognized role in Quebec cinema.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Julien Poulin?
He was a Québécois actor, director, screenwriter and producer, best known for playing Bob Gratton in the Elvis Gratton films.
When was Julien Poulin born?
He was born on April 20, 1946, in Montréal, Québec, Canada.
When did Julien Poulin die?
He died on January 4, 2025, in Canada.
What was Julien Poulin best known for?
He was best known for the Elvis Gratton character, especially the role of Bob Gratton.
What other kinds of work did he do?
In addition to acting, he worked as a director, screenwriter and producer in Quebec theatre, film and television.

References

  1. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0693625/
    Supports: Birth date and place, occupations, known-for credits, death date.
  2. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julien_Poulin
    Supports: Basic biographical details and career overview.
  3. CBC Newshttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/julien-poulin-dead-at-78-elvis-gratton-1.7423484
    Supports: Death notice, age, Montreal birth, theatre beginnings, major film roles, career scope.
  4. Centre du Théâtre d’Aujourd’huihttps://theatredaujourdhui.qc.ca/artistes/julien-poulin
    Supports: Theatre beginnings, stage work, political and social writing, film and television career.
  5. CityNews Montrealhttps://montreal.citynews.ca/2025/01/05/actor-julien-poulin-dies-at-78/
    Supports: Death at 78, major roles, awards, television credits.