Georges Guétary facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Georges Guétary
Georges Guétary
Born	Lambros Vorloou 8 February 1915 Alexandria, Egypt
Died	13 September 1997 (1997-09-14) (aged 82) Mougins (Alpes-Maritimes), France
Spouse(s)	Janine Guyon

Georges Guétary was a famous French singer, dancer, and actor. He was born Lambros Vorloou in Egypt. He became very well-known for his role in the 1951 movie musical An American in Paris.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Georges Guétary was born in Alexandria, Egypt, on February 8, 1915. His parents were Greek. His father worked in the textile industry. Georges studied music in both Egypt and Paris.

He started his career on stage in 1937. He performed as a singer and dancer with the famous French singer Mistinguett at the Casino de Paris. A "chanteuse" is a female singer, especially one who performs in cabarets or music halls.

His first movie role was in the musical Quand le cœur chante in 1938. He also performed many times at the Théâtre du Châtelet. He appeared in many other French movies and TV shows.

Changing His Name for Safety

During World War II, Georges changed his name to Guétary. He did this to avoid problems with officials. At that time, many foreigners were being sent away. Changing his name helped him stay safe. He became a French citizen in 1950.

After the war, Guétary performed on stage in London and New York. He was highly praised for his acting in London. He starred with Lizbeth Webb in the 1947 operetta Bless the Bride. An operetta is like a light opera with spoken lines and songs. This show ran for almost a thousand performances!

Recording Success and Broadway Debut

On January 5, 1949, Georges Guétary recorded the first version of the song Maître Pierre. This song became a huge hit. Many other singers and accordion players performed it.

In 1950, Guétary performed on Broadway in New York City. He was in the musical Arms and the Girl with Nanette Fabray. For his performance, he received a Tony Award for Best Foreign Performer. A Tony Award is a very important award for theater performances in the United States.

Starring in An American in Paris

Georges Guétary is most famous in the United States for his role in An American in Paris. In this movie, he played Henri Baurel. Henri is a friend of the American painter Jerry Mulligan, played by Gene Kelly. But Henri and Jerry don't know they are both in love with the same girl!

In the film, Guétary's character, Henri, is a cabaret performer. He is also a family friend who is in love with Lisa Bouvier. Lisa, played by Leslie Caron, was a young girl he helped during World War II. She is engaged to Henri but then meets and falls in love with Jerry Mulligan.

Guétary (left) and Kelly agree that "'s wonderful" to be in love. A pensive Oscar Levant is not so sure.

Behind the Scenes of the Film

Gene Kelly was a bit older than Guétary. The role of Henri was first meant for the much older actor Maurice Chevalier. But Chevalier turned down the part. Gene Kelly chose Guétary for the role. Even though Guétary was younger than first planned, critics still thought he was "cast neatly as the older man."

In the movie, Guétary has a famous solo performance. He walks up a stairway singing George Gershwin's Stairway to Paradise. He also sings with Gene Kelly in a song called 'S Wonderful. They both sing about their love for Lisa, without knowing the other feels the same way. At the end of the movie, Lisa chooses Jerry Kelly's character, even though she cares for Henri.

After Hollywood

An American in Paris was Georges Guétary's only Hollywood movie. After this, he went back to performing on stage and in films in France. In 1958, he appeared on Broadway again in the musical Portofino.

Georges Guétary was married to Janine Guyon. She was a producer for French television. They had two children together.

Filmography