Immigrant of the Day: Charles Boyer (France)

Charles Boyer (1899-1978) was an Academy Award-nominated actor who starred in several classic Hollywood films. His most famous role was in the 1944 film “Gaslight.”

Born in France, Charles graduated from the Sorbonne with a degree in philosophy before studying acting at the Paris Conservatory. MGM signed him to a contract. Boyer’s first big break was a very small part of a chauffeur to Jean Harlow in “Red-Headed Woman” (1932). He settled in the Hollywood in 1934. Later the same year, Boyer’s films began to win public favor.

Boyer loved life in the United States, and went on to play opposite many alluring actresses of the 1930’s and 1940’s, including Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland.

Charles Boyer is best known for his role in the 1944 film “Gaslight” in which he tried to convince Ingrid Bergman’s character that she was going insane. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1942.

Boyer never won an Oscar for acting, though he was nominated four times, for “Conquest” (1937), “Algiers” (1938), “Gaslight” (1944) and “Fanny” (1961).

KJ