b. Sept. 12, 1888,
Paris d. Jan. 1, 1972,
Paris |
debonair French
musical-comedy star best known for witty and sophisticated films
that contributed greatly to the establishment of the musical as a
film genre during the early 1930s. Characterized by a suave manner
and using a cane and tilted straw hat and an exaggerated French
accent as his trademarks, he also gained international fame as a
stage personality.
Chevalier made his debut as a Parisian café singer in 1901.
By the 1920s he was a famous entertainer in French musical revues
and appeared in French films. His first Hollywood film, The
Innocents of Paris (1929), was the prototype of the popular gay
and charming musicals that followed, in which he often co-starred
with Jeanette MacDonald--e.g., The Love Parade (1930), One
Hour with You (1932), Love Me Tonight (1932), and The
Merry Widow (1934). During World War II his popularity suffered
because he continued to entertain in German-occupied France and on
tour, but after the war he was cleared of suspected collaborationist
activities. His later motion pictures included Love in the
Afternoon (1957), Gigi (1958), Can-Can (1960), and
Fanny (1961). In 1958 Chevalier was awarded a Special Academy
Award for his more than 50 years of contributions to the
entertainment field.