Hervé Villechaize biography

Synopsis

Early Life

Hervé Jean-Pierre Villechaize was born in Paris, France, on April 23, 1943. He was of English and Filipino heritage. At his adult height, Villechaize stood less than four feet tall due to a proportionate dwarfism condition. He was bullied at school and took refuge in the arts, attending art school during his college years.

In 1964, Villechaize departed France for the United States. He moved to New York, teaching himself English by watching television. He continued his career as a visual artist, focusing on painting and photography, before taking up acting. His first roles were in off-Broadway productions, including a play by Sam Shepard.

Film Career

In 1966, Hervé Villechaize expanded his acting repertoire with a role in the film Chappaqua. Three years later, he appeared in Item 72-D, followed by movies including Malatesta's Carnival of Blood and Seizure, the first film by director Oliver Stone. None of these roles translated into substantial income for the actor. By 1974, Villechaize was living in his car in Los Angeles, lacking the steady work necessary to rent an apartment. In addition to acting he accepted odd jobs, including a position as a rat catcher's assistant.

Financial relief came in 1974 when Villechaize earned a role in The Man with the Golden Gun, a James Bond movie starring Roger Moore. The film boosted his career, yielding many additional film and television offers. In 1978, Villechaize joined the cast of the television show Fantasy Island as the character Tattoo. The show was a hit. Villechaize became a household name, known for his catch phrase: "The plane! The plane!"

Popular with the public, Villechaize was considered difficult on the set. Clashing repeatedly with producers, he was finally fired in 1983 over a salary dispute. Fantasy Island was canceled in 1984. Villechaize remained a well-known figure in popular culture after his dismissal from the show, appearing as himself in movies and on television. He also enjoyed some popularity in Spain due to his impersonations of Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez.

In addition to his film career, Villechaize was actively involved in a campaign to eradicate child abuse. He would often travel to crime scenes in the Los Angeles area, arriving with the first responders. Villechaize would then confront the abusers and make an effort to comfort the victims.

Death

Villechaize shot and killed himself in Los Angeles, California, on the morning of September 4, 1993. He was discovered by his girlfriend and died at the hospital as a result of his injuries.