Maurice Chevalier was born in Paris, France on September 12, 1888. His given name at birth was Maurice Auguste Chevalier. His nickname was Mo.
On January 1, 1972, Maurice Chevalier died of cardiac arrest after surgery for a kidney problem.
Maurice Chevalier's first working job was an acrobat. Unfortunately, he had a severe accident which made him turn his sights on singing and making pictures. In 1908, he was making short films in France.
Maurice Chevalier joined the French Army in World War I. He was wounded , captured and imprisoned by the Germans. While he was in prison, he learned the English language from fellow prisoners. After the war, he returned to making French Films.
When Maurice Chevalier heard that Hollywood was starting to make talkies he left for America. In 1959, Chevalier played opposite the beautiful singer/actress Jeanette MacDonald in the movie LOVE PARADE. Chevalier fell in love with Jeanette MacDonald but she had eyes for the actor Gene Raymond. Not use to being rejected, he called Jeanette a prude and she retaliated with saying he was the quickest derriere pincher in Hollywood.
Maurice Chevalier made three more movies with Jeanette MacDonald the most successful being LOVE ME TONIGHT in 1932.
In the late 1930's, Maurice Chevalier returned to Europe and made several French and English films.
When World War II started, Maurice Chevalier was accused of being a Nazi collaborator. The U.S. State Department declared him to be potentially dangerous to the security of the United States because he had signed a petition against nuclear weapons. He was later vindicated by this charge. However, the charge did damage and interrupted his career.
In the 1950's, Maurice Chevalier returned to Hollywood and made the move GIGI in 1958. His signature songs, THANK HEAVEN FOR LITTLE GIRLS and I REMEMBER IT WELL.
The last contribution to the film industry was in 1970. Maurice Chevalier sang the title song for Walt Disney's ARISTOCATS.
Maurice Chevalier's French accent, melodic voice and his charm made him the gallant French Monsieur in the American Cinema in the 1930s. His trademark was a straw boater hat, cane and a tuxedo. On his death, the Times of London wrote; Paris has lost another piece of its history and of its legend.
Some of Maurice Chevalier's credits include -
THE ARISTOCATS - soundtract - 1970
TOAST OF THE TOWN - TV - 1965
CHANCE ET L'AMOUR, LA - 1964
A BREATH OF SCANDAL - 1960
GIGI - 1958
SCHLAGERPARADE - 1953
MA POMME - 1950
FOLIES-BERGERE - 1936
BETTY BOOP'S RISE TO FAME - soundtract - 1934
A BEDTIME STORY - 1933
LOVE ME TONIGHT - 1932
THE PLAYBOY OF PARIS - 1930
THE LOVE PARADE - 1929
PAR HABITUDE - 1923
UNE SOIREE MONDAINE - 1917
TROP CREDULES - 1908
Awards achieved by Maurice Chevalier -
Academy Award - Honorary Award - 1959
Golden Globes - Cecil B. DeMille Award - 1959
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Laurel Awards - IN SEARCH OF THE CASTAWAYS - 1962
Laurel Awards - GIGI - 1959
