Gérard Rinaldi

Gérard Roger Louis Rinaldi, born on February 17, 1943, in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, France, was a multifaceted French entertainer. He functioned as an actor, musician, lyricist, artistic director, and singer. His full name reflected his Parisian origins, and he attended lycée Charlemagne, participating in a Latin translation competition during his formative years. Rinaldi displayed an early passion for music, discovering a clarinet in 1958 and becoming self-taught on both clarinet and saxophone, initially playing tenor before switching to alto.

Rinaldi’s career began with performances in 1963, first on the radio show Inter-clocher where he met Jean Sarrus, who became a close friend, and subsequently playing saxophone for Dick Rivers in 1964. He briefly joined Les Rebelles in 1963 before co-founding Les Charlots in 1966. The group, which also included Jean Sarrus, Luis Rego, and Patrick Birot, achieved significant popularity, releasing fourteen films between 1970 and 1992, including Les Bidasses en folie, Les Fous du stade, and Le Grand Bazar. Rinaldi co-wrote approximately 300 songs with Les Charlots, including the 1970 hit "Sois érotique," and Jean Sarrus described him as the 'soul of Les Charlots,' admiring his songwriting and sense of humor. He appeared in several films with Les Charlots from La grande java to Charlots connection up until 1984.

Beyond his work with Les Charlots, Rinaldi pursued a solo career beginning in 1986, appearing on stage at Le Théâtre de la Michodière multiple times between 1986 and 2004. He also demonstrated remarkable versatility as a voice actor, providing French dubbing for numerous animated characters including Hazel in Watership Down, Ratigan in The Great Mouse Detective, Henri in An American Tail, Chef Louis in The Little Mermaid, Goofy in A Goofy Movie, and Steele in Balto. After Michel Modo's death in 2008, Rinaldi took over voice acting roles for several characters in The Simpsons, including Kent Brockman, Seymour Skinner, Clancy Wiggum, Charles Montgomery Burns, and Krusty the Clown. He continued to perform until his death from lymphoma on March 2, 2012, at age 69 in Fontenay-lès-Briis (Essonne). A special homage was held for him at Le Théâtre de la Michodière ten days later. A documentary about his life, 'Gérard Rinaldi: confessions d'un ancien Charlot,' was released in 2013, ensuring his legacy continues.