Charles Boyer is an American actor. The performer was nominated for an Oscar four times. The celebrity was called the last great lover of cinema.
In early childhood, the career of the famous artist Charles Boyer could not be predicted by anyone. The child grew up shy and very quiet. Parents did not know any trouble with him.
The path to glory
The future actor began his biography in 1899. The boy was born on August 28 in the provincial commune of Figeac in southwestern France in the family of an entrepreneur
Eleven-year-old Charles worked part-time at a local hospital. He showed the wounded comic sketches. Then the boy became interested in theatrical art.
Having decided to connect life with creativity, Boyer still decided to receive education at the Faculty of Philosophy of the Sorbonne. The young man continued his studies at the Paris Conservatory, studying the art of drama. Charles pinned his main hopes on a theatrical career.
In 1920, the aspiring actor made his debut. The young man successfully replaced the performer in the play. The owner of a velvet voice was enthusiastically received by the audience. Now he constantly played on the stage of "Gimnaz", theaters on the Champs Elysees and Antoine. The actor very quickly made a career in silent films.
For the first time, Boyer starred in the film "Man of the High Seas". The directors offered him exclusively the role of romantic heroes. The artist played both at home and in Europe. He attracted attention in Hollywood.
Film career
The rising star of cinema was invited to the Dream Factory since 1929. In 1930, a contract was signed with MGM. At first, Charles only starred in French versions of American films. He participated in the tapes "The Big House", "The Trial of Maria Durand".
After the appearance of sound films, changes began in the lives of recognized silent cinema stars. A huge plus for Charles was the velvety timbre and depth of the voice. However, the prominent French accent became a problem.
The contractor decided to return to his homeland. However, in 1932 he was offered the role of sheriff in Paramount's Red-Headed Woman. Just a couple of phrases and an undefined gesture - and the audience's attention was focused not on the main character, but on the secondary character.
In Hollywood, Boyer, thanks to his French charm, became one of the leading actors in the romantic role. In 1934, the performer starred in the American adaptation of Liliom. The picture brought him worldwide recognition.
The success has prompted offers from many directors. Together with Loretta Young, Charles played in the film "Caravan". In Daniel Daria, he starred in Mayerling, a film about the tragic love between Mary of Vecher and Prince Rudolph in 1936. At the same time, the performer returned to America to star in the romantic drama The Gardens of Allah. The famous Greta Garbo became his partner.
Confession
At the end of the year, work began on a new project "Conquest". The film tells about the novel of Napoleon and Maria Walewska. Boyer played Bonaparte, Garbo reincarnated as his beloved. Critics unanimously stated that the partner outplayed the star. The role of Napoleon has been called one of the best in Boyer's career.
In the rank of a star, the actor starred in "The story is made at night", "Love Story". In the 1938 film Algeria, he played Pepe Le Moko. The films "Hold the Dawn!", "All This and the Sky in the Bargain", "Lane" have become classics.
In the psychological thriller Gas Light, Charles appeared in 1944. In the now cult film, he played Gregory Anthony, a negative character. The artist's amazingly expressive voice allowed him not only to brilliantly play in cinema and on stage, but also to start a singing career.
Since 1940, Boyer's vocals have sounded in romantic radio productions. In 1966 Charles recorded the album "Let's go, where is the love?" A distinctive feature of the disc is the French accent, which has become the actor's trademark.
After the end of the war, the artist continued to appear on television and in films, acting in theaters on Broadway and in London. In 1948 Boyer was awarded the Order of the French Legion of Honor.
Theater and cinema
From the second half of the forties to the beginning of the fifties, the actor starred in characteristic age roles. He paid more and more attention to television films, became one of the co-founders of the Four Stars company in 1952. It existed until 1989.
From 1952 to 1956, the artist played in performances of the Theater of Four Stars. One of his most famous works was Don Juan from Bernard Shaw's play Don Juan in Hell. For this role, the actor received a special Tony award.
Among the notable works include the humorous series 1965-1965 "Crooks". In 1964 at the Cannes Film Festival Boyer was vice-president of the jury. A special prize was awarded to his role in the film "Stavisky". Then film critics called the artist "the last of the greatest movie lovers."
In the musical film "Lost Horizon" in 1973, the artist played the Great Lama. The last film of the actor was the picture "A Matter of Time". He reincarnated as the main character. He starred with real world cinema stars Liza Minnelli and Ingrid Bergman.
Family and vocation
The artist did not live up to stereotypes about Hollywood stars. He could not stand noisy parties, loved reading books. Having received an excellent education, the person continued to develop himself.
He knew 4 languages perfectly and had a great sense of humor. In his personal life, Boyer did not start any novels. He made his choice once and for all.
Colleague Patricia Paterson became the chosen one of the most romantic of the actors. Acquaintance with her took place in 1943. After just a couple of weeks, Charles invited the girl to marry him. After a ceremony three months later, the young people became husband and wife.
In 1943, a common child appeared in the family, the son of Michelle. The happy marriage lasted 44 years. The famous actor passed away in 1989, on August 26, almost simultaneously with his wife.
Charles Boyer's contributions to television and cinema have received two personalized stars on the Walk of Fame.
