What happened to Thelonious Bernard??? - A Little Romance (1979) Discussion

[–] dnemko 19 years ago

I wonder the same thing. I just saw this film for the first time yesterday and was captivated by this young actor. He had such sincerity and the ability to convey so many emotions. Young Hollywood actors lack this freshness. Thelonious Bernard won a Youth Actors award for this film but, from my brief research, only made one more movie afterward.

I would love to know more about him, too.

reply

[–] jryan-12 19 years ago

I recently watched "A Little Romance" on Turner Classic Movies tribute to George Roy Hill. Robert Osborne said that Bernard only did a few other French films in the early 1980's but the dropped out of sight, presumably back into ordinary life. Everybody knows what happened to Diane Lane.

reply

[–] davenyc99-1 19 years ago

That's what I want to know! I think he did such a great job and was such a natural. Someone should drag him out of retirement and participate in a DVD voice-over commentary. However I read somewhere he only learned his English lines, but didn't really speak English at the time...

reply

[–] Elastigirl_ 19 years ago

He was so sweet! I fell in love with him in A Little Romance! He's so cute, and I love his accent!

"So, hiff ya screw it up, hi'm gonna hit ya hard, hi'm gonna hit ya fast!" ~ Dr Cox

reply

[–] preppy-3 19 years ago

From what I heard he HATED doing movies. The kissing scene with Diane Lane took 5 takes because he didn't want to do it. He did one other movie in France in 1981 and disappeared. So--it was by his choice to leave movies. But it is too bad--he was a very attractive kid and I thought he held his own against Diane Lane. I like his accent too:)

reply

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Janou 18 years ago

Thank you for letting us know what Thelonious has been doing! Too bad he didn't continue in films, tell him we miss him, and say hello for us too!!

reply

[–] peeach808 18 years ago

yeah..can u prove us by showing us some current pics of him..we the fans really wants to see him..

reply

[–] imacrazymomof3 18 years ago

I agree with Peeach....if you are his cousin put a recent picture up let us see what he looks like now....We are very excited to see how the cute lil french boy we all swooned over in A Little Romance looks, now why is it so hard to do IF you really are related to him and see and talk to him?

PS thanks for the Email Peeach. ;)

reply

[–] bkohatl 14 years ago

He's a dentist in Nantes, happily married with a family of his own.
He doesn't need to explain anything. I wish him all the happiness that life has to offer. Apparently, he has already found it. Good for you Bernard!

reply

[–] magsleps 11 years ago

I looked up the information on Thelonious Bernard and it says that he is now a dentist with a wife and children. That is all that it said about him. He just didn't care for making any more movies and went back to school to make a living a different. I applaud him for his brief work and for the life he chose!!

reply

[–] magsleps 11 years ago

I looked up the information on Thelonious Bernard and it says that he is now a dentist with a wife and children. That is all that it said about him. He just didn't care for making any more movies and went back to school to make a living a different way. I applaud him for his brief work and for the life he chose!!

reply

[–] imacrazymomof3 18 years ago

this is the only one I have found to date thats even close to Thelonious......
Serge LEVRAULT

La Guimbardière
THOUARSAIS BOUILDROUX
85410
Phone 02 51 51 50 70
Mobile 06 81 92 30 63
Fax 02 51 51 33 37
Send Email

But still NOT HIM ..I am till searching though

reply

[–] beauty_picasso 18 years ago

Hi bernard_sylvie,
If you really his cousin and can contact w/ him, tell him that somebody (me) ADORE him so well. I would very happy if you can give his e-mail address (mine: [email protected]). I think he's the cutest& most talented young actor ever. I have a strong feeling that he's not only a smart kid in the movie, but also in the real life. Can you ask him,how's his real IQ, btw?
Many success in his life..

reply

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] SteelyDanLuvr 18 years ago

This isn't him, is it?

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/bernard.arsac/Genealogie-Arsac/original/Bernard%20Bertinotti%20Agn%E8s%20et%20Antoine.jpg

Doesn't look like his hairline, but it was worth asking. I loved him too in the movie. This is one of my top 10, probably even top 5 favorite movies.

reply

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] SteelyDanLuvr 18 years ago

Thanks for replying. I AM dying to see what he looks like these days so if you could dig up a photo somewhere, we'd all be ever so grateful. Wow, I didn't know Bernard was such a popular name!

reply

[–] imacrazymomof3 18 years ago

SO... do you think this could be him?

Bernard Antoine
33 r Etienne Dolet 44100 NANTES
02 40 46 20 92

One could only hope eh?
I wonder if you can make international calls on a cell lol

reply

[–] imacrazymomof3 18 years ago

It does look a little like him but not enough to believe it is him......

reply

[–] thewitchclan 18 years ago

My daughters and I compared the photo mentioned in the website by SteelyDanluvr to the one of Thelonius from the movie shown on http://www.theloniousbernard.homestead.com/ and the nose, the chin, the eyes and the brows are all the same. Looks like Thelonius all grown up to us. What happened to his gorgeous curly hair? He may not be as cute but we still love him in the film. He did a great job at winning our hearts.

reply

[–] bettinay-1 18 years ago

Thank you so much

merci beaucoup

reply

[–] imca 18 years ago

Now this is an odd thing. I used to live fairly close to Nantes, in Montigne les Rairies, about 25 Kilometers from Angers. One evening I had a terrible toothache, and couldn't find a dentist. So my roomate at the time, who was an singer at the opera in Nantes, drove me all the way there int he middle of the night to see a dentist whose name I am certain was Dr. Bertrand. I mad e no connection whatsoever to A Little romance, a film which I adore. Now that you mention this I can only wonder...if it was one and the same Thelonious Bernard.... Hmmm...

reply

[–] moviehit2005 17 years ago

Actually i think he is smart to make this descion

reply

[–] pinky_puff_rox 18 years ago

I saw an add for it on cable yesterday and want to watch it soooo BAD! he looks soooo cute and it looks like such a cute movie! im gonna rent it tomorrow!

reply

[–] imacrazymomof3 18 years ago

It is an AWESOME movie!!! It is Adorable! Young love I think is one of the best feelings you could feel! And this movie caputers it! By All Mean! RENT IT!! Becca

reply

[–] explodingplant 18 years ago

What happened to Thelonious Bernard???

my exact same thought. that's why i came on this board i was like 'what? he didn't make any more movies? where's this hunk??' so lame --_--. but damn, he was hold old? and i think he was better than diane lane. he was incredible. the kids were obviously the only reason to see this movie.
oh well. i guess it's good that he has a good life instead.

i love direct linking. it's ridge racer. riiiidgee racer!

reply

[–] jackieisaspy 18 years ago

In one of the special features for the movie it said that he hadn't even acted before he did this movie. Acting isn't for everyone :)

reply

[–] marno-3 18 years ago

I had read somewhere that he didn't speak much if any English prior to being cast in the film and learned it on the set. I also believe the person who said she is his cousin is really his cousin because I had read somewhere that he hated the standing around in the movies and had become a dentist.

reply

[–] rhm_monm 17 years ago

if u r interested he got a website
http://www.theloniousbernard.homestead.com

reply

[–] katsworld27 17 years ago

i cant find the picture you guys were talking about when he was already like grown =[[ help me plzz =D

reply

[–] WhomanJim 17 years ago

Just like with Thelonious, nearly the SAME thing happened with Peter Ostrum, the original 'Charlie' in "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory"(1971). After "Wonka", Peter decided he didn't want to be an actor - he went back to school & eventually became a veterinarian
(animal doctor).

Good for them - they both realized their true callings in life.

reply

[–] jeancothern 10 years ago

Thelonius was adorable in "A Little Romance". Maybe he made a wise decision to be "normal" and quit films. Look at Corey Haim, Dana Plato and so many young stars that were eaten alive by the Hollywood lifestyle...

reply

[–] KristenStewartForever 10 years ago

He now is a dentist.

I love you, Kristen Stewart. :) You are so beautiful and talented. I would love to perform with you.

reply

[–] KatrinaW 9 years ago

Just google "Bernard Giumelli", and you'll see him. I never realized that he used a stage name for 'A Little Romance'.

I found a few pictures of him, mostly from professional websites. I would never have recognized him.

reply