Suzy Delair (born Suzette Pierrette Delaire;[1][2] December 31, 1917 – March 15, 2020) was a French actress, dancer, singer, comedian and star of vaudeville.[3]
Early years
Growing up in
Montmartre, Delair was the daughter of a father who upholstered expensive cars' interiors, and a seamstress mother. She studied music at
La Scala.[4]
In 1947, Delair had a supporting role in The Murder Lives at Number 21, which had its American premiere in New York City.[5] Today's audiences probably know her best as the feminine lead in the
Laurel and Hardy comedy Atoll K (also known as Utopia), filmed in France and released in 1951.[2]
Music
Before Delair began performing in films, she starred in operettas.[4] On 28 February 1948 she sang C'est si bon at the
Hotel Negresco during the first
Nice Jazz Festival.
Louis Armstrong was present and loved the song. On 26 June 1950 he recorded the
American version of the song (English lyrics by
Jerry Seelen) in New York City with
Sy Oliver and his orchestra. When it was released, the disc was a worldwide success and the song was then performed by the greatest international singers.
Personal life
For 12 years, Delair was the companion of French film director, producer and screenwriter Henri-Georges Clouzot.[4]
Selected filmography
A Caprice of Pompadour (Willy Wolff et Joë Hamman, 1931) – Une soubrette de la Pompadour