Fernandel

Fernand Joseph Désiré Contandin was born in Marseille on 8 May 1903 to Désirée Bedouin and Denis Contandin, whose roots traced to Perosa Argentina in Italy's Turin province. He built his name in French vaudeville, operettas, and music-hall revues, where his timing and rubber face found their first audiences. His stage name came from his marriage to Henriette Manse, sister of his best friend and frequent collaborator Jean Manse—he was so devoted to her that his mother-in-law joked he was "Fernand d'elle," Fernand of her. From there he became a comedy star, carrying that peculiar mix of warmth a…