Yves Montand facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yves Montand
Montand in 1948
Born	Ivo Livi (1921-10-13)13 October 1921 Monsummano Terme, Tuscany, Italy
Died	9 November 1991(1991-11-09) (aged 70) Senlis, France
Occupation	Actor, singer
Years active	1946–1991
Spouse(s)	Simone Signoret ​ ​ (m. 1951; died 1985)​
Partner(s)	Carole Amiel (1987–1991)
Children	1
Relatives	Jean-Louis Livi (nephew)

Yves Montand was a famous Italian-born French actor and singer. His real name was Ivo Livi. He was born on October 13, 1921, and passed away on November 9, 1991. Montand is remembered as one of France's greatest artists of the 20th century. He was known for his singing and for starring in many movies.

Early Life and Moving to France

Montand, born Ivo Livi, came into the world in Monsummano Terme, Italy. His father, Giovanni Livi, made brooms. His family had strong beliefs about how society should be organized, aiming for equality among people. Montand's mother, Giuseppina Simoni, was a very religious Catholic.

In 1923, when Montand was very young, his family left Italy. They moved to France because of a strict government that took away people's freedoms. He grew up in the city of Marseille. As a young man, he worked in his sister's beauty salon and also on the docks. He soon started a career in show business as a singer in music halls. In 1944, the famous French singer Édith Piaf discovered him in Paris. She helped him become part of her performances.

A Star in Music and Movies

Montand became famous around the world as both a singer and an actor. He starred in many films. His singing style, known as "crooner" style, was very recognizable. Many of his songs, especially those about Paris, became popular hits right away.

He was one of the most well-known performers at the Paris Olympia music hall. He also toured with talented musicians like Didi Duprat. In 1947, he sang "Mais qu'est-ce que j'ai ?" at the Théâtre de l'Étoile. He later recorded the popular song "C'est si bon". Montand was also very popular in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, where he performed concerts in 1956 and 1957.

During his career, Montand acted in American movies and on Broadway. He was nominated for a César Award for Best Actor in 1980 and again in 1984. In 1986, when he was 65, Montand gave one of his most memorable performances. He played the clever uncle in the films Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources. These movies were very successful around the world and helped Montand become well-known again in the United States. He even appeared on the TV show Late Night with David Letterman.

Personal Life

Montand at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival

In 1951, Yves Montand married the actress Simone Signoret. They acted together in several films. Montand became the stepfather to Signoret's daughter, Catherine Allégret, from her previous marriage.

Montand had one biological child, a son named Valentin, with his second partner, Carole Amiel. Valentin was born in 1988.

Montand supported political causes that aimed for social change in the 1950s and 1960s. Later in his life, his political views changed.

Simone Signoret and Montand had a home in Autheuil-Authouillet, France. The main street in that village is named after him. In his later years, he lived in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. He passed away there in November 1991 from a heart attack. He died while filming his last movie, IP5: The Island of Pachyderms. The director, Jean-Jacques Beineix, said that Montand died on the very last day of filming, after his very last shot. Montand is buried next to his first wife, Simone Signoret, in Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.

Filmography

Discography

Images for kids

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  Yves Montand as Formula One driver Jean-Pierre Sarti in Grand Prix, 1966

See also

In Spanish: Yves Montand para niños