ROBERT GOULET

NOVEMBER 26, 1933 – OCTOBER 30, 2007 


Born Robert Gerard Goulet on November 26, 1933 in Lawrence, Massachusetts to Joseph and Jeannette Goulet who were of French Canadian descent. His father worked as a textile mill guard and was a fine amateur singer, which influence young Goulet to begin singing when he was five years old at family gatherings.

After his father’s death, Jeanette Goulet moved with 13-year-old Robert and his sister Claire, to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where he spent his most formative years.

His first professional appearance was at age 16 in Handel's Messiah with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Following a two-year stint as a radio announcer, he was awarded a singing scholarship to the Royal Conservatory of Music, University of Toronto, Canada.

He began his entertainment career in his teens on Canadian radio and television, and in the 1950’s he became a popular young star in Canada appearing in scores of theatrical, radio and television productions -- culminating as host of the weekly network variety show for CBC-TV, "General Electric's Showtime". 

Mr. Goulet was cast as Sir Lancelot in the 1960 Broadway production of Camelot starring opposite theatre giants Richard Burton and Julie Andrews. He took Broadway by storm and achieved instant recognition with his performance and interpretation of the show-stopping song “If Ever I would Leave You” which became his signature song. The dark, handsome, blue-eyed newcomer who like no other had a unique resonant and stirring baritone voice, redefined the interpretation of the romantic ballad and forever changed the sound on Broadway. 

 

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His debut in Camelot launched him internationally on an award-winning stage, screen and recording career that led him on a remarkable journey.

His vocal talents illuminated every medium of the entertainment world. A Grammy, Tony and an Emmy award winner, Robert Goulet’s illustrious career spanned for almost six decades! It is for these achievements that Robert Goulet stands as one of the greatest baritones of our time, who was also undoubtedly one of the most prominent musical stars to grace the stages worldwide.

The big-voiced baritone, died of pulmonary fibrosis on October 30, 2007 at age 73. As the Broadway community mourned the loss of Robert Goulet, the theater marquees in New York and in cities across North America were dimmed in his memory on October 31, 2007.On November 9, 2007 the day of his funeral, Las Vegas honored the late singer, actor and entertainer in an unprecedented tribute by closing the Las Vegas Strip for his funeral procession. As he took his last ride and his final bow every Las Vegas hotel-casino featured his name on their marquees saying goodbye to a man who became a legend in his own lifetime.