Maurice Chevalier’s role within what, at the time, was a young global entertainment industry was of vital importance.

His natural gift for creative entertaining was evident at an early age and he went on to become a premier talent both in his native France and in Hollywood .

Many of Mr Chevalier’s songs are still popular today. His list of self-penned material is impressive and includes hits such as ‘Louise’ and ‘Valentine’.

Mr Chevalier was as popular with his contemporaries as he was with his audience and will always be remembered standing on stage wearing a tuxedo and his signature straw hat.

Maurice Auguste Chevalier was born in Paris in 1888 to a French father and Belgian mother.

At the age of 13, after singing unpaid in a café, a well-known theatre figure suggested that the young Maurice should try out for an upcoming local musical. He got the part and his reputation proceeded to grow rapidly.

He was taken as a prisoner of war during World War One but escaped in 1916 and by 1917 he was entertaining ally troops at le Casino de Paris, developing his talents as both an actor and singer.

After a series of unsuccessful silent films, a suicide attempt in 1924 and getting married to the French dancer Yvonne Vallee, Mr Chevalier returned to Hollywood and acted in many films including The Love Parade and The Big Pond, for which he received Academy Award nominations.

In 1937 he divorced his wife and married the dancer Nita Raya and continued to produce extremely popular songs.

Mr Chevalier continued to perform during World War Two and was even asked to perform in Berlin by the Nazi forces. He declined the offer but did perform for enemy soldiers and in 1941 managed to free 10 prisoners of war in return.

Despite accusations of collaborationism during the war he remained very popular in France . In 1946 he divorced his wife, began writing his memoirs and continued to sing and act into his old age.

In the early 1960s Mr Chevalier toured the United States and made eight films. He also made another world tour at the age of 77 and sang the title song in Disney’s The Aristocrats before dying on the first day of 1972.

His ability to entertain, whether singing or acting, was considerable and the body of work he has left behind is testament to his genius.

Many of the songs he wrote still enjoy fame today and songs such as ‘Valentine’, ‘Louise’ and ‘Thank Heaven for Little Girls’ will continue to be listened to for many years to come.

Mr Chevalier was always happiest when performing and enjoyed the relationship he had with his fans: “Love the public the way you love your mother”, he said.

His contribution to the world of popular entertainment is of vital importance and his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame will forever mark his life and achievements.