Charles Boyer (August 28, 1899 – August 26, 1978) was a French-American actor who appeared in more than 80 films between 1920 and 1976. After receiving an education in drama, Boyer started on the stage, but he found his success in American films during the 1930s. His memorable performances were among the era's most highly praised, appearing in both romantic dramas and thrillers.
SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY
Love Affair (1940)
All This and Heaven Too (1941)
Hold Back the Dawn (1942)
Gaslight (1945)
Around the World in 80 Days (1957)
Fanny (1962)
10 FUN FACTS!
By the time he was in his 20’s, Charles was already half bald. He wore a toupee for his movie roles.
His favorite film of his was Love Affair (1940).
In addition to English and French, Charles also spoke German, Italian, and Spanish.
He performed comic sketches for soldiers while working as a hospital orderly during World War I.
He only had one son, Michael Charles Boyer, who committed suicide on September 21, 1965. He apparently played Russian roulette with a .38-caliber revolver after fighting with a girlfriend.
Chuck Jones used Charles’ French voice and mannerisms when he created the famed cartoon skunk, Pepe Le Pew.
His surname is pronounced “Boy-yay”, not “Boy-er”.
Charles’ career lasted longer than that of other romantic actors, winning him the nickname, “the last of the cinema’s great lovers.”
In 1966, Charles recorded a laid-back album called “Where Does Love Go”, consisting of famous love songs sung (or rather spoken) with Boyer’s distinctive deep voice and French accent. The record was reportedly Elvis Presley’s favorite album for the last 11 years of his life.
Two days after his wife’s death, Charles committed suicide by taking a fatal dose of barbiturates. He died two days before his own 79th birthday.