Maurice Chevalier Artistfacts

September 2, 1888 - January 1, 1972
Maurice Chevalier was a French singer, actor, and all-around entertainer known for his charming persona, distinctive voice, and signature boater hat. He was a major figure in early Hollywood musicals and became an iconic French export to American audiences.
Born in the Ménilmontant district of Paris, Chevalier's start in life was far from the glamour that would later surround him. Raised by a determined mother after his father - a house painter - disappeared, Maurice grew up poor, learning early on how to hustle and make the most of even the most dismal situations.
Chevalier's early years were anything but a rehearsal for his future fame. A serious injury cut short his dream of becoming an acrobat, and before long he was painting dolls, tinkering as an electrician, and swinging a hammer as a carpenter.
Like many great entertainers, Chevalier stumbled upon his calling. At age 12, he convinced a dubious café owner to let him sing. His first performance, "V'la Les Croquants," was met with laughter - not the good kind - because, as it turns out, Maurice was singing three octaves too high.
Not one to be easily discouraged, Chevalier kept at it. Eventually, he caught the attention of a talent scout, and he began his slow but steady rise in the Parisian music halls. By the early 1900s, he had found his footing and was on his way to becoming a household name in France, thanks in part to his talent for mimicry and his distinctive, velvety voice.
As his fame grew, Chevalier embraced the style that would become his trademark: the boater hat, the sharp suits, the bow tie. And if that weren't enough, his twinkling eyes and magnetic smile did the rest. He became known for his flirty, debonair presence on stage and screen, starring in Hollywood films where he wooed audiences with his romantic charm. Songs like "Thank Heaven For Little Girls" and "Isn't It Romantic?" cemented his status as the epitome of Gallic charisma.
Chevalier had high-profile relationships with French stars like Mistinguett and a marriage to actress Yvonne Vallée from 1927 to 1933, which ended in divorce. He took up with dancer Nita Raya shortly after.
During World War II, Chevalier was accused of collaborating with the Nazis - an allegation he vehemently denied. The scandal cast a shadow over his career, but he eventually cleared his name. Still, he couldn't shake the sense that his bright persona was, at times, eclipsed by darker chapters in his life.
Despite it all, Chevalier lived to entertain. He performed well into his 70s, leaving an indelible mark on both French and international audiences. His final bow came with Disney's The Aristocats, where he sang the title song. (Source Trivial Biographies)