Debonair European screen idol who was born in Italy but brought to France at an early age by his parents, left-wing peasants wishing to escape Mussolini's regime. Montand worked his way from the docks of Marseilles to the pinnacle of international stardom. After beginning a career as a music-hall singer, he was "discovered" in Paris in 1944 by Edith Piaf, who featured him in her act and became his mentor and lover.Montand made his screen debut opposite Piaf in 1946, in "Star Without Light", but gained more attention for his fine performance the same year in Marcel Carne's "Les Portes de la
Left Italy with family two years before the rise of Fascism as Mussolini was rising to power; settled in Marseilles
From age 11 worked as delivery boy, apprentice hairdresser in sister's, business, truck loader at a metal factory, and waiter at a dockside bar
1937
Won a hair dressing competition in Marseilles
1938
Performed for the first time on an amateur night in a local theater at age 17
1938
Changed name to Yves Montand; made professional debut at the Alcazar Music Hall in Marseilles singing songs of Chevalier, Trenet and imitating Donald Duck music-hall singer in Marseilles, Bordeaux and Toulouse
