Guy Fournier Bravely Stands by Gilbert Rozon in Court Testimony
It was an emotional day in court as 93-year-old journalist, author, and producer Guy Fournier took the stand to defend his longtime friend Gilbert Rozon amidst a highly publicized civil trial involving serious allegations of sexual misconduct. In a time where public figures are often quick to distance themselves from controversy, Fournier’s appearance at the Montreal courthouse was both striking and telling.
Fournier didn’t just share a working relationship with Rozon—he described a decades-long friendship forged through their collaboration on the Just for Laughs festival, dating back to its inception in 1982. Over the years, Fournier directed several galas and worked closely with Rozon’s family. “It saddened and surprised me,” he said in court, referencing the allegations. “I developed a friendship with Gilbert and his family. A friendship I have never renounced.”
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He spoke candidly about Rozon’s character, recalling him as a generous, trusting, and even affable boss—though not without his stern moments. “He trusted me completely,” Fournier noted, adding that Rozon was not afraid to voice criticism when needed, but always remained fair. This testimony stood in contrast to a 2017 column Fournier had written, in which he described a shifting comedic landscape and alluded to “the indignity of the Just for Laughs founder.” When pressed by the plaintiffs’ attorney, Me Jessica Lelièvre, he explained his words were more a comment on changing times than a personal condemnation.
The court session grew more intense when Fournier was confronted with past admissions from his biography, which included instances of inappropriate behavior, such as kissing a secretary on the neck and touching a makeup artist inappropriately. While he acknowledged the truth of those incidents, he emphasized that the cultural context had shifted and distanced himself from the chapter’s authorship.
Still, Fournier remained firm on one point: he had never witnessed nor been told of any misconduct by Rozon—neither “by the standards of the time” nor by those of today. “No inappropriate behavior,” he repeated unequivocally.
In an era where silence is often safer, Guy Fournier’s courtroom appearance stood out—not because he denied the gravity of the accusations, but because he chose to speak for the man he knew, flaws and all. Whether his words will sway the legal outcome remains to be seen, but his loyalty and candor left a mark on a very complicated chapter in the saga of Gilbert Rozon.
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