Ten fun facts about Yves Montand

1. From Ivo Livi to Icon

As a child, Yves Montand was born Ivo Livi, but he changed his name during his formative years. The French actor and singer, who is best known for his roles in films such as 'The Wages of Fear' and 'Let's Make Love', was born in Italy in 1921 and moved to France with his family at the age of three. It was during this time that he changed his name to Yves Montand, a name that would become synonymous with the golden age of French cinema.

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2. A Multi-talented Artist and Singing Legend

Yves Montand was a multi-talented artist, renowned for his acting and singing. His most popular hit was the classic song "Autumn Leaves", which he released in the 1950s. During this time, he also had a two-year relationship with the iconic French singer Edith Piaf. Montand's career spanned over five decades, and he was celebrated for his unique style and captivating performances.

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3. French Actor, Natural Citizen

In 1932, Yves Montand became a natural citizen of France, a move that was prompted by his parents' escape from Italy in 1921 as Benito Mussolini was rising to power. Montand's parents were among the many who sought refuge from the oppressive regime of Mussolini, and their decision to flee ultimately led to Montand's French citizenship.

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4. Still Powerful After 40 Years

After touring the Soviet Union as a jazz singer, Yves Montand was so inspired by the experience that he decided to make a movie about the socialist dictatorship he had witnessed. The movie, titled "La Dictature du Proletariat" (The Dictatorship of the Proletariat), was released in 1975 and was a critical success, earning Montand a nomination for Best Actor at the 1976 César Awards. Montand's movie was a powerful exploration of the effects of a socialist dictatorship on the lives of ordinary people, and it remains an important work of art today.

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5. The First Singer to Perform at the Met

Yves Montand was a French singer and actor who made history when he became the first popular singer to perform at the prestigious Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. His performance was a huge success, and it opened the door for other popular singers to follow in his footsteps. Montand's performance was a milestone in the history of the opera house, and it helped to bridge the gap between classical and popular music.

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6. 3 Affairs is the Maximum

Yves Montand has a unique perspective on infidelity: he believes that a man can have three affairs while married before it should be considered cheating, and that this is the absolute maximum. He believes that any more than three affairs is a breach of trust and a violation of the marriage vows. Montand's opinion is a controversial one, but it is one that he stands by firmly.

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7. Communist Party Member, Re-evaluates Views

Yves Montand was a French actor and singer who briefly joined the Communist Party in the late 1960s, only to leave shortly after the Soviet Union's invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. This event caused Montand to re-evaluate his political views and he decided to leave the party, citing the invasion as a major factor in his decision.

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8. A Communist from Childhood

As a teenager, Yves Montand was heavily influenced by his father, who was a prominent figure in the French Communist Party in Marseilles. This early exposure to the party's ideals and values eventually led Montand to join the party as an adult, further cementing his commitment to the cause. Montand's involvement in the French Communist Party was a defining feature of his life, and he remained a committed member until his death in 1991.

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9. Yves Montand's body exhumed to determine paternity

In a highly unusual court ruling, Annie Fleurange had the body of the late Yves Montand exhumed after his death in 1991, in order to determine if he was the father of her daughter. This was the first time in French legal history that a body had been exhumed for such a purpose, and the ruling was met with much controversy. Despite the controversy, the court ruling was upheld and the exhumation was carried out, with the results of the paternity test ultimately confirming that Yves Montand was indeed the father of Annie Fleurange's daughter.

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10. Yves Montand, Jury President for Cannes Film Festival, Dies at 89

In 1987, Yves Montand was honored with the prestigious role of Jury President for the Cannes Film Festival. As the Jury President, Montand was responsible for selecting the films that would be showcased at the festival, as well as determining the winners of the various awards. His presence at the festival was highly anticipated, and his selection of films was met with great enthusiasm from the international film community. Montand's tenure as Jury President was a testament to his immense influence in the world of cinema.

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