Charles Aznavour

Charles Aznavour (born May 22, 1924) French singer, songwriter and actor. Aznavour was born Chahnour Varinag Aznavourian in Paris, the son of Armenian immigrants. At an early age, his artistic parents introduced him to the world of theatre. One of France's most popular and enduring singers, he began to perform at age nine and soon took the stage name Aznavour. His big break came when the singer Edith Piaf heard him sing and arranged to take him with her on tour in France and to the United States. Often described as the "Frank Sinatra of France", almost all of Aznavour's songs deal with love. He has written more than a thousand songs as well as musicals, made more than one hundred records, and has played in sixty movies. Aznavour sings in five languages and is the most well-known French singer abroad, performing at Carnegie Hall and other major venues around the world. A friend of Quebec, he has helped the career of Quebec chansonnier Lynda Lemay in France, and has a house in Montreal. Film career In 1960 Aznavour starred in François Truffaut's Tirez sur le pianiste, playing a character called Édouard Saroyan. Aznavour starred in the 2002 movie Ararat playing Edward Saroyan, a movie director. Awards and recognition In 1996 Aznavour was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 1997 Aznavour was awarded an honorary César.