Fernandel is one of the most popular French artists of his generation, as much
for his musical work as for his films. Fernand Joseph Désiré Contandin was born
in Marseille on May 8, 1903, to a family originally from Piedmont, Italy. He
began performing at an early age, accompanying his father, an amateur actor and
singer. Following in his father's footsteps, he won first prize for child
prodigies at Marseille's Théâtre du Châtelet. He became a comic trouper,
performing in cafés, concerts and weddings. He married at the age of 22 and
inherited his stage name from his mother-in-law...