Born in Figeac, Lot, Midi-Pyrénées, France. Studied philosophy before he made both his stage and his film debuts in 1920, but for the remainder of the decade developed primarily as a stage actor, a matinee idol Paris-style. In 1929-31 he made a tentative and not-too-successful stab at a Hollywood career, but after an auspicious interlude in Europe, he returned to Hollywood in 1934 to stay. This time he rapidly developed as one of the American screen's "great lovers," a celluloid personification of Gallic charm and romance. His tools in trade were a deep velvet voice, inviting eyes, and matchless bedroom elegance. A fine actor, as well as a lady's heartthrob, he played opposite some of Hollywood's most glamorous female stars of the 30s and 40s, from Garbo to Bergman. During WW II, Boyer became active in cementing Franco-American cultural relations and in 1942 won a special Academy Award for establishing the French Research Foundation in Los Angeles. He later became an American citizen. From the early 50s he appeared in films on both sides of the Atlantic, in increasingly mature roles. He also made occasional stage appearances, most memorably in Shaw's Don Juan in Hell. In 1951 he was a co-founder, with Dick Powell and David Niven, of Four Star Television and starred in many of the company's TV productions in the 50s and 60s. Boyer took his own life with an overdose of barbiturates just two days before his 81st birthday and two days after the death of his wife since 1934, British-born actress Pat (Patricia) Paterson. Their only child, Michael, committed suicide in 1965.  Nominated for Actor 1937: CONQUEST  Nominated for Actor 1938: ALGIERS  Honorary and Other Awards 1942: "For his progressive cultural achievement in establishing the French Research Foundation in Los Angeles as a source of reference for the Hollywood Motion Picture Industry." Winner presented a Certificate.  Nominated for Actor 1944: GASLIGHT  Nominated for Actor 1961: FANNY 4 nominations, 1 Honorary Award