YVES MONTAND (13 October 1921 – 9 November 1991) the Italian-born French Actor and Singer, his Death anniversary today. Montand was born Ivo Livi in Monsummano Terme, Italy to Giuseppina (née Simoni) and Giovanni Livi, a broommaker. Giuseppina was a devout Catholic, while his father held strong Communist beliefs. Montands family left for France in 1923 on account of Italys Fascist regime. He grew up in Marseille, where, as a young man, he worked in his sisters barber shop, and later on the docks. He began a career in show business as a music-hall singer. In 1944, he was discovered by Édith Piaf in Paris and she made him part of her act. Montand went on to international recognition as a singer and actor, starring in numerous films. His recognizably crooner songs, especially those about Paris, became instant classics. He was one of the most famous performers at Bruno Coquatrixs famous Paris Olympia music hall, and toured with musicians including Didi Duprat. In 1951, he married Simone Signoret, and they co-starred in several films throughout their careers. The marriage was, by all accounts, fairly harmonious, lasting until her death in 1985, although Montand had a number of well-publicized affairs, notably with Marilyn Monroe, with whom he starred in one of her last films, Lets Make Love. During his career, Montand acted in a number of American motion pictures as well as on Broadway. He was nominated for a César Award for Best Actor in 1980 for I comme Icare and again in 1984 for Garçon! In 1986, after his international box-office draw power had fallen off considerably, the 65-year-old Montand gave one of his most memorable performances, as the scheming uncle in the two-part film: Jean de Florette, co-starring Gérard Depardieu, and Manon des Sources, co-starring Emmanuelle Béart. The film was a worldwide critical hit and raised Montands profile in the US, where he made an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman. RIP YVES MONTAND.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 02:51:38 +0000
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