“This is what killed Michel Blanc”: the crazy theory that is spreading on the internet after the death of the actor at 72 years old

On October 4, 2024, French actor Michel Blanc passed away at the age of 72. Iconic in Les Bronzés in particular, he left behind millions of fans. Since then, theories have been circulating about the causes of his death, especially after the presumed cause of his death was anaphylactic shock linked to contrast agents.

It's hard to accept the death of such an icon. Michel Blanc passed away at the end of last week, receiving a wave of tributes from his fans and all the artists who collaborated with him. At the age of 72, he disappeared under circumstances that remain to be determined. Although strong suspicions rest on aanaphylactic shock linked to a contrast product injected to perform a health exam.

Contrast product

It didn't take much for social networks to seize the subject. The actor is said to have suffered a heart attack triggered by anaphylactic shock, a violent and rare allergic reaction, indicates France Info. And this reaction is said to be linked to a substance decried by conspiracy theorists: iodine or gadolinium. On X, the supporters of the theory are certain: “It is this product that killed Michel Blanc.”

These are so-called products of “contrast”. Injected before examinations – iodine for scanners, gadolinium for MRIs – they are used to make certain rough spots or substances in the body appear more clearly. A very useful tool for doctors to detect more or less trivial health problems.

In France, each year, five to six million people undergo a scanner or MRI, reminds Professor Olivier Clément to our colleagues at Ouest-France. The head of the radiology department explains that only about fifteen anaphylactic shocks result from this, including four fatal ones. An extremely rare and, moreover, unpredictable event.

Healthcare professionals are alerted to these risks, and follow the recommendations of ANSM which reminds us that: “These immediate hypersensitivity reactions, although rare, can be life-threatening and sometimes fatal.”

The opportunity for those in the health sector – but also in disability and chronic disease monitoring – to sound the alarm: no, contrast agents are not to be feared.

Conspiracy theory

The subject should be taken with a pinch of salt: not only because we are not sure of the cause of the actor's death. But also because if it is indeed the contrast product that is at the origin, this does not make this substance something systematically dangerous.

If through negativity, some conspiracy theorists would be tempted to make this dramatic exception the rule, it must be remembered that contrast products serve above all as diagnostic tools. And that its very rare harmful effects are unpredictable, and most often very well managed by the doctors present in radiology offices. There is no point in creating fear around these substances, used by professionals with the intention of healing.