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Georges Guetary

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Vocalist

The Resume

    (February 8, 1915-September 13, 1997)
    Born in Alexandria , Egypt
    Birth name was Lambros Worloou
    Trademark songs included 'Rambino,' 'La Boheme,' 'La Belle Marguerite,' 'A Honolulu,' 'Monsieur Carnival,' 'Stairway to Paradise,' 'La Valse de Regrets,' 'Bolero,' 'Chiquito,' 'Ce Soir a Mexico,' and 'Ciao Ciao Bambino'
    Acted in French films, 'Robin des Bois,' 'Le Cavalier noir,' 'Les Aventures de Casanova,' 'The Gypsy Baron,' 'Le Chemin du paradis,' and 'Une Nuit aux Baleares'
    Only American film credit is 'An American in Paris' (1951)
    Performed in French stage productions, 'La Route Fleurie,' 'Pacifico,' and 'Monsieur Carnaval'
    Performed on the West End in productions, 'Bless the Bride' and 'The Latin Quarter' (1949)
    Performed on Broadway in 'Arms and the Girl' (1950)

Why he might be annoying:

    His trademark 'Mediterranean' singing voice sounded almost reptilian -- resembling Peter Lorre doing a bad Chevalier imitation.
    He had a very successful career as a nightclub singer and matinee idol in France, but is almost exclusively remembered for his supporting role as Henri in 'An American in Paris.'
    He was deemed too young for the role of Henri by Gene Kelly, who actively sought Maurice Chevalier for the role before settling on Guetary.
    He was forced to wear awkward gray highlights in his hair to mask his youth. (Gene Kelly was actually three years older than him.)
    He allegedly frustrated the hell out of Gene Kelly during the filming of the 'Stairway to Paradise' sequence, as his failure to grasp the choreography on the stairs forced excessive retakes.
    Leslie Caron dissed him in the film's 'Making of' documentary, calling him a nice man but 'not very bright.'
    His success in 'American in Paris' did not translate to a career in American films (whether it was by his own choice or not remains unclear).
    When he changed his name, he chose the adopt the Basque town, Guethary, for a last name, royally pissing off Basque patriots participating in the Resistance movement.
    He failed to make the transition to Rock & Roll music in the late 1950s.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was of Greek, Italian, and Egyptian heritage.
    He studied music in Alexandria, Cairo, and Paris.
    He changed his name to mask his mixed-race ethnicity during the Nazi-occupation, mainly because foreigners were deported to concentration camps.
    He received a Tony Award for Best Foreign Performer for 'Arms and the Girl' (1950)
    His rendition of Gershwin's'S Wonderful' with Gene Kelly has never been bettered.
    He neither smoked nor drank, and consequently aged well.
    He aged so well that he was nicknamed 'the eternal young man.'
    He was described as a genuinely good natured, well-humored gentleman who would frequently walk down the aisles and interact with his guests during his concerts.
    His success in the French music industry made him a multi-millionaire, and he remains an iconic figure in French pop culture.
    He remained happily married to the same woman for over forty years until his death (1997).
    His only American film credit swept the Oscars, including Best Picture.

Credit: BoyWiththeGreenHair


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 76 Votes: 51.32% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 243 Votes: 58.85% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 503 Votes: 69.58% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 32 Votes: 53.12% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 14 Votes: 85.71% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 27 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 13 Votes: 69.23% Annoying