{{Short description|Swiss actor and singer (1895–1982)}} <!--adapted in English from [http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Villard_Gilles] fr Wikipedia and [http://www.apo-g.ch/lectures/Gilles_comedien_article.pdf] pdf: Gilles' Official Site by APO: Association pour la Promotion de l'Oeuvre de Gilles--> [[File:Jean-Villard Gilles (1975) by Erling Mandelmann.jpg|thumb|alt=Picture black/white of Jean Villard Gilles by Erling Mandelmann|Gilles photographied in 1975 by Erling Mandelmann]]
'''Jean Villard''', known as '''Gilles''' (2 June 1895 in Montreux (Switzerland) – 26 March 1982 in Vevey), originating from Daillens, was a French Swiss multi-talented chansonnier, poet, humorist, comedian, actor, and cabaretist. He was friends with Édith Piaf, Ernest Ansermet, Jacques Brel, Jean Poiret, Michel Serrault and met also with Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz. He gave his last interview in December 1981 at his home, where he confided that "I have always tried my best to be a poet."
One of Lausanne's parks, on the ''Avenue du Théâtre'', now bears his name. He served in the Swiss Army during World War I in Soubey, Jura, recalling that he defended the bridge that crosses the river Doubs.
== Roles at the Theatre == * 1918: ''L'histoire du soldat'' by Igor Stravinsky and Charles Ferdinand Ramuz * 1920-1930: Several roles at the "Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier" in Paris, directed by Jacques Copeau * 1920: ''Cromedeyre-le-Vieil'' by Jules Romains, directed by Jacques Copeau, Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier * 1930: Plays in « La Compagnie des Quinze » * 1931: ''La Mauvaise Conduite d'après Plaute'', Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier
== Chansonnier == *1932–1939 duo « Gilles et Julien », with A.-M. Julien (Aman Maistre (1903–2001) *1940–1948 duo with Édith Burger,<ref name="doc">[http://archives.tsr.ch/search?q_doc-id=gilles-burger ''Vidéo:'' Hommage à Edith] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130116164949/http://archives.tsr.ch/search?q_doc-id=gilles-burger |date=2013-01-16 }}, an archive from Télévision Suisse Romande</ref> *1948–1975 duo with Albert Urfer
== Cabaret owner == *1940 : he founded the cabaret « Coup de Soleil » in Lausanne with Edith Burger,<ref name="doc"/> an anti-Nazi, resistance, gathering place *1947 : he founded the cabaret « Chez Gilles » in Paris **discovers Jacques Brel, then an unknown beginner whom he immediately hired. *1955 : « Chez Gilles » in Lausanne
== Some well-known works == *1932: ''Dollar'', first « chanson française engagée » of the 20th century *1936: ''La Belle France'' the anthem of the French Resistance Popular Front *1940: {{Lang|fr|Les trois cloches}} interpreted by Édith Piaf with Les Compagnons de la chanson *1940: ''14 juillet'' *1948: ''Le Bonheur'' *1951: ''A L'Enseigne de la Fille Sans Cœur'' interpreted by Édith Piaf *1954: ''La Venoge'' *1958: ''Nos Colonels''
== Books == *1943, « Les Histoires de Gilles » *1954, « Mon demi siècle », Librérie Payot *1960, « La Venoge et autres poèmes » - images by Géa Augsburg, Editions du Verseau et Librairie Payot, Lausanne *1963, « Chansons que tout cela !», (Le meilleur de Gilles », tome I) *1969, « Mon demi siècle et demi », Payot *1971, « Le dernier mot », (Le meilleur de Gilles", tome II) *1978, « Amicalement vôtre, Récits, chansons et souvenir », Editions Pierre-Marcel Favre
== Plays at the Théâtre du Jorat Mézières == *1950 « Passage de l'étoile » *1960 « La Grange aux Roud »
== Bibliography == *Albert Urfer, ''Qui va piano...'', 1978 *Alex Décotte, ''Le siècle de Gilles'', 1995 *''Le meilleur de Gilles'' (3 volumes), Publi-Libris, 2003 {{ISBN|2-940251-02-9}} * {{Theaterlexikon|Jean Villard Gilles|1|713|714|author=Joël Aguet|language=fr}}
== Notes == <references />
== External links == *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110928020423/http://www.memo.fr/article.asp?ID=PER_CON_103 Bibliographie] *[http://www.topio.ch/lavenoge.php Poésie ''La Venoge'' de Jean Villard-Gilles and much valuable information on "Vaudois" language]. (This oeuvre is an integral part of the collective memory of a citizen of the canton of Vaud, as they were taught to recite it by heart at school from an early age). * [http://archives.tsr.ch/search?q_doc-id=humour-gilles Vidéo ''Jean Villard Gilles''] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130115202534/http://archives.tsr.ch/search?q_doc-id=humour-gilles |date=2013-01-15 }} chante et raconte des histoires vaudoises, des vidéos du site des archives de la TSR Télévision Suisse Romande TSR
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Villard, Jean}} Category:1895 births Category:1982 deaths Category:People from Montreux Category:French-language Swiss poets Category:Swiss male poets Category:Humorous poets Category:Swiss male stage actors Category:Swiss military personnel Category:20th-century Swiss poets Category:20th-century male writers Category:20th-century Swiss male singers