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Crooner Robert Goulet Dies at 73

Tony and Grammy Winner Was Awaiting Lung Transplant

By DAISY NGUYEN,

Posted: 2007-10-31 15:12:21

Filed Under: Star Obituaries, Movie News, Music News, TV News

LOS ANGELES (Oct. 31) -- Singer Robert Goulet has died at a Los Angeles hospital where he had been waiting for a lung transplant. His Broadway debut in "Camelot" launched his award-winning stage and recording career. He was 73.

Goulet was in good spirits as he waited for a lung transplant, even telling doctors before they inserted a breathing tube, "Just watch my vocal cords," his wife said.

Photo Gallery: A Legendary Entertainer

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Famed singer and actor Robert Goulet died at the age of 73 in a Los Angeles hospital Tuesday while awaiting a lung transplant. He was suffering from a rare disease, which was discovered last month.

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The big-voiced baritone had been diagnosed last month with a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis.

Vera Goulet, his wife of 25 years, said they were last able to speak three weeks ago before the singer was placed on a respirator.

Longtime friend Wayne Newton said Goulet's sense of humor "kept my spirits up in some of the lowest valleys in my life."

"His incredible voice will live on in his music, and as Bob so brilliantly sang, 'There will be another song for him and he will sing it,' for God now has another singing angel by his side," Newton said in a statement.

The Massachusetts-born Goulet, who spent much of his youth in Canada, gained stardom in 1960 with "Camelot," the Lerner and Loewe musical that starred Richard Burton as King Arthur and Julie Andrews as his Queen Guenevere.

'Heroes' on the Town

(L-R) Actors Jack Coleman, Hayden Panettiere, Milo Ventimiglia, Masi Oka and guest attend the "Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair at the Chateau Marmont on September 14, 2007 in Los Angeles.."Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair.Chateau Marmont .Los Angeles, California United States.September 14, 2007.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (14803054), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
(L-R) Actors Jack Coleman, Hayden Panettiere, Milo Ventimiglia, Masi Oka and guest attend the "Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair at the Chateau Marmont on September 14, 2007 in Los Angeles.."Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair.Chateau Marmont .Los Angeles, California United States.September 14, 2007.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (14803053), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
(L-R) Actors Jack Coleman, Hayden Panettiere, Milo Ventimiglia, Masi Oka and guest attend the "Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair at the Chateau Marmont on September 14, 2007 in Los Angeles.."Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair.Chateau Marmont .Los Angeles, California United States.September 14, 2007.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (14803052), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
(L-R) Actors Milo Ventimiglia, Masi Oka, Zachary Quinto and Hayden Panettiere attend the "Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair at the Chateau Marmont on September 14, 2007 in Los Angeles.."Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair.Chateau Marmont .Los Angeles, California United States.September 14, 2007.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (14803025), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
(L-R) Actors Milo Ventimiglia, guest, Masi Oka, Zachary Quinto, Hayden Panettiere and Kristen Bell attend the "Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair at the Chateau Marmont on September 14, 2007 in Los Angeles.."Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair.Chateau Marmont .Los Angeles, California United States.September 14, 2007.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (14803024), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
(L-R) Actors Milo Ventimiglia, guest, Masi Oka, Zachary Quinto, Hayden Panettiere and Kristen Bell attend the "Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair at the Chateau Marmont on September 14, 2007 in Los Angeles.."Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair.Chateau Marmont .Los Angeles, California United States.September 14, 2007.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (14803009), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
(L-R) Actress' Dania Ramirez and Hayden Panettiere attend the "Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair at the Chateau Marmont on September 14, 2007 in Los Angeles.."Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair.Chateau Marmont .Los Angeles, California United States.September 14, 2007.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (14802970), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
(L-R) Actress' Adair Tishler and Hayden Panettiere attend the "Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair at the Chateau Marmont on September 14, 2007 in Los Angeles.."Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair.Chateau Marmont .Los Angeles, California United States.September 14, 2007.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (14802963), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
(L-R) Actress' Dania Ramirez and Hayden Panettiere attend the "Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair at the Chateau Marmont on September 14, 2007 in Los Angeles.."Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair.Chateau Marmont .Los Angeles, California United States.September 14, 2007.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (14802682), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
(L-R) Actor Zachary Quinto and actress Hayden Panettiere attend the "Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair at the Chateau Marmont on September 14, 2007 in Los Angeles.."Heroes" 2007 Pre-Emmy Party Hosted by Perry Ellis and Vanity Fair.Chateau Marmont .Los Angeles, California United States.September 14, 2007.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (14802676), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
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Kiefer Sutherland Snapshots

* EXCLUSIVE * .Kiefer Sutherland at a reception honoring actor Kiefer Sutherland with the ACTRA Award of Excellence award at the residence of the Canadian Consulate General in Los Angeles on September 25, 2007 in Los Angeles, California..Kiefer Sutherland receives the ACTRA Award of Excellence.Canadian Consulate residence.Los Angeles, CA USA.September 25, 2007.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (14867314), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
LOS ANGELES - SEPTEMBER 16: (FILE PHOTO) Actor Kiefer Sutherland arrives at the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium September 16, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. Sutherland was arrested early morning for a misdemeanor drunk driving charge September 25 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Kiefer Sutherland arrives at the FOX Fall Eco-Casino Party in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 24, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
AP
Kiefer Sutherland arrives at the FOX Fall Eco-Casino Party in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 24, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
AP
Actor Kiefer Sutherland and Actress Ali Larter during the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on September 16, 2007 in Los Angeles, California.The 59th Primetime EMMY Awards - Show.Shrine Festival.Los Angeles , CA USA.September 16, 2007.Photo by John Shearer/WireImage.com..To license this image (14816255), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
Actor Kiefer Sutherland and Actress Ali Larter during the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on September 16, 2007 in Los Angeles, California.The 59th Primetime EMMY Awards - Show.Shrine Festival.Los Angeles , CA USA.September 16, 2007.Photo by John Shearer/WireImage.com..To license this image (14813438), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
Actor Kiefer Sutherland and Actress Ali Larter during the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on September 16, 2007 in Los Angeles, California.The 59th Primetime EMMY Awards - Show.Shrine Festival.Los Angeles , CA USA.September 16, 2007.Photo by John Shearer/WireImage.com..To license this image (14813435), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
Actress Ali Larter, Actor Robert Duvall and Actor Kiefer Sutherland during the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on September 16, 2007 in Los Angeles, California.The 59th Primetime EMMY Awards - Show.Shrine Festival.Los Angeles , CA USA.September 16, 2007.Photo by John Shearer/WireImage.com..To license this image (14813434), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
Actor Kiefer Sutherland and Actress Ali Larter during the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on September 16, 2007 in Los Angeles, California.The 59th Primetime EMMY Awards - Show.Shrine Festival.Los Angeles , CA USA.September 16, 2007.Photo by John Shearer/WireImage.com..To license this image (14813428), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
Actor Kiefer Sutherland arrives at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
AP

Out and About in Hollywood

Actors Regina Fritsch (L) and Klaus Broemmelmeier perform during a dress rehearsal of Wajdi Mouawad's play "Verbrennungen" (Incendies) on stage of Vienna's Akademietheater September 26, 2007. The play is directed by Stefan Bachmann and will have its first premiere in Austria on September 28. REUTERS/Herwig Prammer (AUSTRIA)
Reuters
Actors Regina Fritsch (R) and Sabine Haupt perform during a dress rehearsal of Wajdi Mouawad's play "Verbrennungen" (Incendies) on stage of Vienna's Akademietheater September 26, 2007. The play is directed by Stefan Bachmann and will have its first premiere in Austria on September 28. REUTERS/Herwig Prammer (AUSTRIA)
Reuters
Actors Daniel Jesch, Regina Fritsch, Sabine Haupt and Juergen Maurer (L-R) perform during a dress rehearsal of Wajdi Mouawad's play "Verbrennungen" (Incendies) on stage of Vienna's Akademietheater September 26, 2007. The play is directed by Stefan Bachmann and will have its first premiere in Austria on September 28. REUTERS/Herwig Prammer (AUSTRIA)
Reuters
Actors Sabine Haupt (L) and Klaus Broemmelmeier perform during a dress rehearsal of Wajdi Mouawad's play "Verbrennungen" (Incendies) on stage of Vienna's Akademietheater September 26, 2007. The play is directed by Stefan Bachmann and will have its first premiere in Austria on September 28. REUTERS/Herwig Prammer (AUSTRIA)
Reuters
Actor Regina Fritsch performs during a dress rehearsal of Wajdi Mouawad's play "Verbrennungen" (Incendies) on stage of Vienna's Akademietheater September 26, 2007. The play is directed by Stefan Bachmann and will have its first premiere in Austria on September 28. REUTERS/Herwig Prammer (AUSTRIA)
Reuters
Actors Markus Hering (L) and Melanie Kretschmann perform during a dress rehearsal of Wajdi Mouawad's play "Verbrennungen" (Incendies) on stage of Vienna's Akademietheater September 26, 2007. The play is directed by Stefan Bachmann and will have its first premiere in Austria on September 28. REUTERS/Herwig Prammer (AUSTRIA)
Reuters
Actors Daniel Jesch (L) and Melanie Kretschmann perform during a dress rehearsal of Wajdi Mouawad's play "Verbrennungen" (Incendies) on stage of Vienna's Akademietheater September 26, 2007. The play is directed by Stefan Bachmann and will have its first premiere in Austria on September 28. REUTERS/Herwig Prammer (AUSTRIA)
Reuters
Actors Sabine Haupt (L) and Klaus Broemmelmeier perform during a dress rehearsal of Wajdi Mouawad's play "Verbrennungen" (Incendies) on stage of Vienna's Akademietheater September 26, 2007. The play is directed by Stefan Bachmann and will have its first premiere in Austria on September 28. REUTERS/Herwig Prammer (AUSTRIA)
Reuters
Actors Regina Fritsch, Sabine Haupt and Juergen Maurer (L-R) perform during a dress rehearsal of Wajdi Mouawad's play "Verbrennungen" (Incendies) on stage of Vienna's Akademietheater September 26, 2007. The play is directed by Stefan Bachmann and will have its first premiere in Austria on September 28. REUTERS/Herwig Prammer (AUSTRIA)
Reuters
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) Actors Radha Mitchell, Greg Kinnear, Morgan Freeman and Stana Katic pose together at the premiere of MGM's "Feast of Love" at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on September 25, 2007 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Miley Cyrus Snapshots

Actress Miley Cyrus arrives at the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party at Vibiana on Sepember 20, 2007 in Los Angeles, California..Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party - Red Carpet.Vibiana.Los Angeles, California United States.September 20, 2007.Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com..To license this image (14847053), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
Actress Miley Cyrus arrives at the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party at Vibiana on Sepember 20, 2007 in Los Angeles, California..Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party - Red Carpet.Vibiana.Los Angeles, California United States.September 20, 2007.Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com..To license this image (14847052), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
Actress Miley Cyrus arrives at the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party at Vibiana on Sepember 20, 2007 in Los Angeles, California..Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party - Red Carpet.Vibiana.Los Angeles, California United States.September 20, 2007.Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com..To license this image (14847050), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
Actress Miley Cyrus arrives at the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party at Vibiana on Sepember 20, 2007 in Los Angeles, California..Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party - Red Carpet.Vibiana.Los Angeles, California United States.September 20, 2007.Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com..To license this image (14847048), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
Actress Miley Cyrus arrives at the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party at Vibiana on Sepember 20, 2007 in Los Angeles, California..Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party - Red Carpet.Vibiana.Los Angeles, California United States.September 20, 2007.Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com..To license this image (14845739), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
Actress Miley Cyrus arrives at the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party in Los Angeles on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
AP
Miley Cyrus arrives at the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party in Los Angeles on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
AP
Miley Cyrus arrives at the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party in Los Angeles on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
AP
Actor Billy Ray Cyrus arrives at the premiere of "High School Musical 2" at the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort on August 14, 2007 in Anaheim, California..Disney's "High School Musical 2" World Premiere - Arrivals.Downtown Disney.Anaheim, CA USA.August 14, 2007.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (14792689), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
WireImage.com
Actor Billy Ray Cyrus arrives at the premiere of "High School Musical 2" at the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort on August 14, 2007 in Anaheim, California..Disney's "High School Musical 2" World Premiere - Arrivals.Downtown Disney.Anaheim, CA USA.August 14, 2007.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (14792688), contact WireImage:.U.S. 1-212-686-8900 / U.K. 44-207-868-8940 / Australia 61-2-8262-9222 / Germany 49-40-320-05521 / Japan: 81-3-5464-7020. 1 212-686-8901 (fax).info@wireimage.com (e-mail).www.wireimage.com (web site)
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Goulet played Sir Lancelot, the French knight who falls in love with Guenevere.

He became a hit with American TV viewers with appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and other programs. Sullivan labeled him the "American baritone from Canada," where he had already been a popular star in the 1950s, hosting his own TV show called "General Electric's Showtime."

Goulet won a Grammy Award in 1962 as best new artist and made the singles chart in 1964 with "My Love Forgive Me."

"When I'm using a microphone or doing recordings I try to concentrate on the emotional content of the song and to forget about the voice itself," he told The New York Times in 1962.

"Sometimes I think that if you sing with a big voice, the people in the audience don't listen to the words, as they should," he told the newspaper. "They just listen to the sound."

While he returned to Broadway only infrequently after "Camelot," he won a Tony award in 1968 for best actor in a musical for his role in "The Happy Time." His other Broadway appearances were in "Moon Over Buffalo" in 1995 and "La Cage aux Folles" in 2005, plus a "Camelot" revival in 1993 in which he played King Arthur.

His stage credits elsewhere include productions of "Carousel," ''Finian's Rainbow," ''Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," ''The Pajama Game," ''Meet Me in St. Louis" and "South Pacific."

Goulet Medley

ESPN Spots

Ferrell Does Goulet

Goulet also performed in movies ranging from the animated "Gay Purr-ee" (1962) to "Underground" (1970) to "The Naked Gun 2½" (1991). He played a lounge singer in Louis Malle's acclaimed 1980 film "Atlantic City."

He returned to Broadway in 2005 as one half of a gay couple in "La Cage aux Folles."

Goulet had no problems poking fun at his fame, appearing recently in an Emerald nuts commercial in which he "messes" with the stuff of dozing office workers, and lending his name to Goulet's SnoozeBars. Goulet also has been sent up by Will Ferrell on "Saturday Night Live."

"You have to have humor and be able to laugh at yourself," Goulet said in a biography on his Web site.

The only son of French-Canadian parents, Goulet was born in Lawrence, Mass. After his father died, his mother moved the family to Canada when the future star was about 13.

He received vocal training at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto but decided opera wasn't for him. He made his first professional appearance at age 16 with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

Pianist Roger Williams said he first met Goulet when he performed on a Canadian television show.

"He appeared on the last part of the show, and I knew then that he was a tremendous talent," Williams said. "He could shake a room with that big beautiful voice."

In his last performance Sept. 20 in Syracuse, N.Y., the crooner was backed by a 15-piece orchestra as he performed the one-man show "A Man and his Music."

Although Goulet headlined frequently on the Las Vegas Strip, one period stood out, evidenced by a photograph that hung on his office wall. It was the mid-1970s, and he had just finished a two-week run at the Desert Inn when he was asked to fill in at the Frontier, across the street.

Overnight, the marquees of two of the Strip's hottest resorts read the same: "Robert Goulet."

"I played there many, many years and have wonderful memories of the place," Goulet told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

His first two marriages ended in divorce. He had a daughter with his first wife, Louise Longmore, and two sons with his second wife, Carol Lawrence, the actress and singer who played Maria in the original Broadway production of "West Side Story."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2007-10-30 20:07:40

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