Charles Aznavour

Born as Shahnour Vaghenag Aznavourian on May 22, 1924 the year of the wood rat in Paris, France Charles Aznavour displays the classic quick-thinking and very witty traits of Gemini into his life activities as singer, songwriter, actor, public activist and diplomat. He is one of France's most enduring singers and is known for his unique tenor voice laced with gravelly low notes. Aznavour has appeared in more than sixty movies, composed a thousand songs and sold over 1000 million records. In 1998 CNN named Aznavour as Entertainer of the Century. Charles edged out Bobby Dylan and Elvis Presley for this honor.

His big break came in 1946 when singer Edith Piaf, heard him sing and included Aznavour in her tours to France and the United States.

Aznavour is France's Frank Sinatra and his songs are generally about love. He sings and speaks in French, English, Italian, Spanish, German, Russian, Armenia, and Portuguese. He has wowed audiences at Carnegie Hall in the US and other major music halls around the world. Aznavour has collaborated with Frank Sinatra (one of the few invited to sing with Sinatra), Andrea Bocelli, Bing Crosby, Bob Dylan, Elton John and Josh Groban to name only a few.

In 1980 Charles Aznavour appeared in The Tin Drum an Academy Award winner for best foreign language film. He also starred in the 2002 movie Ararat and played Edward Saroyan. Aznavour was appointed ambassador of Armenia to Switzerland and is Armenia's permanent delegate to the United Nations.

Aznavour has married three times: Micheline Rugel in 1946, Evelyn Plessis in 1956 and Ulla Thorsell in 1968. He has six children and currently resides in St-Sulpice, Vaud, Switzerland. Charles Aznavour carries a physical feature that he often jokes about. He is only 5'3" tall, but his talent makes him a giant.