May 8, 1903, on the day of St. Desire, in the house at number 73, located on the Boulevard Chav of Marseille, actor Fernandel was born. His father served in a bank, and in his spare time he performed in a concert cafe. Denis Contaden went public under the pseudonym Cine. Later, Fernandel will take the pseudonym of his father.
When Fernandel was five years old, he made his debut on the stage of the old Shav Theatre. He played in melodramas, ancient farces, theatrical scenes and pastorals. The boy
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May 8, 1903, on the day of St. Desire, in the house at number 73, located on the Boulevard Chav of Marseille, actor Fernandel was born. His father served in a bank, and in his spare time he performed in a concert cafe. Denis Contaden went public under the pseudonym Cine. Later, Fernandel will take the pseudonym of his father.
When Fernandel was five years old, he made his debut on the stage of the old Shav Theatre. He played in melodramas, ancient farces, theatrical scenes and pastorals. The boy went with his father on the whole tour. In mass scenes, he played the role of defender of the Empire. Fernand and his younger brother Marcel formed a beautiful tandem.
In school years, Fernandel had an idol – Pauline, a famous comedian throughout France. When the boy saw him, he immediately told his parents that he intended to become a comedian. And the Contanden apartment turned into a rehearsal room for Fernandel.
Three years later, in a competition organized by the Paris newspaper Comedy, which took place across France, Fernand became the second of more than a hundred applicants. He was twelve years old at the time. A year later, the First World War broke out, and his father was mobilized to the front.
Fernandel was forced to look for work. He worked in a soap factory, served in a bank and credit society, but did not stay anywhere long. In the evenings, Fernand expanded his education and sang to the public.
At the age of 19, Fernandel in Nice signed his first cabaret contract with El Dorado. Playing in unpretentious operets, farces and vaudevilles, he traveled throughout the south of France in two years. When Fernandel was 22 years old, he was drafted into the army, where he served as a scribe.
After military service, Fernandel failed to negotiate with the impresario, and he went to work in a soap factory. At this time, the director of the Paramount Theatre accidentally appeared in Marseille and offered him a very profitable contract. When World War II broke out, Fernandel was called up for military service.
In 1930, Fernandel made his film debut. He starred in the short film “Best nanny”, and the following year in the film.
film "White and Black" He played an inexperienced raider. During his acting career, Fernaddel starred in 150 films. He was repeatedly awarded the highest award of comedians of France – the Curtelen Prize. In 1952, he was awarded the Civil Merit Medal and the Legion of Honor socket. He was awarded the title of Order of Arts and Literature.
Fernandel died of cancer on February 26, 1971. Buried in Paris at Passy Cemetery.