Maurice Chevalier

Maurice Chevalier

actor, writer, soundtrack

Maurice Chevalier was born on Sep 12, 1888 in France. Maurice Chevalier's big-screen debut came with Gonzague directed by Henri Diamant-Berger in 1923, strarring Gonzague / Maurice. Maurice Chevalier is known for An Intimate History directed by Isabelle Clarke, Anouchka Delon stars as Récitante and Alain Delon as Récitant. Maurice Chevalier has got 3 awards and 8 nominations so far. The most recent award Maurice Chevalier achieved is Walk of Fame. The upcoming new movie Maurice Chevalier plays is An Intimate History which will be released on Sep 25, 2011.

Maurice Chevalier's first working job was as an acrobat, until a serious accident ended that career. He turned his talents to singing and acting, and made several short films in France. During World War I he enlisted in the French army. He was wounded in battle, captured and placed in a POW camp by the Germans. During his captivity he learned English from fellow prisoners. After the war he returned to the film business, and when "talkies" came into existence, Chevalier traveled to the US to break into Hollywood. In 1929 he was paired with operatic singer/actress Jeanette MacDonald to make Parade d'amour (1929). Although Chevalier was attracted to the beautiful MacDonald and made several passes at her, she rejected him firmly, as she had designs on actor Gene Raymond, who she eventually married. He did not take rejection lightly, being a somewhat vain man who considered himself quite a catch, and derided MacDonald as a "prude". She, in turn, called him "the quickest derrière pincher in Hollywood". They made three more pictures together, the most successful being Aimez-moi ce soir (1932). In the late 1930s he returned to Europe, making several films in France and England. World War II interrupted his career and he was dogged by accusations of collaboration with the Nazi authorities occupying France, but he was later vindicated. In the 1950s he returned to Hollywood, older and gray-headed. He made Gigi (1958), from which he took his signature songs, "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" and "I Remember it Well". He also received a special Oscar that year. In the 1960s he made a few more films, and in 1970 he sang the title song for Walt Disney's Les Aristochats (1970). This marked his last contribution to the film industry.

  • Birthday

    Sep 12, 1888
  • Place of Birth

    Paris, France

Known For

Awards

3 wins & 8 nominations

Walk of Fame
1960
Motion Picture
Winner - Star on the Walk of Fame
Academy Awards, USA
1959
For his contributions to the world of entertainment for more than half a century.
Winner - Honorary Award
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Movies & TV Shows

All
Movies