Robert Gérard Goulet was an American singer, actor, and entertainer of French-Canadian descent who earned both Grammy and Tony Awards during his distinguished career. Over nearly six decades in the entertainment industry, he established himself as a versatile performer, gaining recognition for his work in theater, television, and cinema, as well as for his success as a recording artist with several charting singles. After receiving a scholarship, Goulet studied singing and acting at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He began his professional acting career in the early 1950s, but his major breakthrough came in 1960 when he portrayed Sir Lancelot in the Broadway musical Camelot. His performance of the song “If Ever I Would Leave You” became particularly popular and eventually served as his signature musical number. Goulet continued to achieve success on stage, notably in the musical The Happy Time, for which he received a Tony Award. His appearances on popular television programs, including The Danny Thomas Show and The Ed Sullivan Show, further increased his popularity and made him a familiar face to American audiences. In addition to his stage and musical accomplishments, he appeared in several successful films, including The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear and Beetlejuice.
Childhood & Early Life
Robert Gérard Goulet was born on November 26, 1933, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, United States. He was the only son of Joseph Georges André Goulet, a laborer, and his wife, Jeanette (née Gauthier). His family had French-Canadian roots.
When Goulet was 13 years old, his father passed away, prompting him to move with his mother and sister to Girouxville, Alberta, Canada. The family later settled in Edmonton to take advantage of the city’s greater opportunities in the performing arts. There, Goulet received vocal training from Jean Létourneau and Herbert G. Turner. He also worked as a radio announcer for the CKUA Radio Network.
After graduating from Victoria Composite High School, Goulet won a scholarship to study at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. During his time there, he trained in voice under oratorio baritones Ernesto Vinci and George Lambert, developing the musical skills that would later shape his professional career.
Career of Robert Goulet
Goulet’s early exposure to the entertainment industry came in 1952, when he competed in the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) program Pick the Stars and advanced to the semifinals. This appearance helped him secure opportunities on other programs, including Singing Stars of Tomorrow and the Canadian edition of the children’s television show Howdy Doody.
He subsequently joined the Kenley Players, a theatrical company that provided him with his first professional engagements in the United States. Among the eight productions he performed in with the company, Pajama Game (1959) and Carousel (1960) were particularly noteworthy.
Goulet’s major breakthrough came when he was introduced to lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe, who were looking for an actor to portray Sir Lancelot in their musical Camelot. He secured the role, marking his Broadway debut alongside Julie Andrews and Richard Burton. The production opened at Toronto’s O’Keefe Centre on October 1, 1960, before moving to Boston and eventually reaching Broadway. Goulet’s portrayal of Lancelot, especially his rendition of the romantic ballad “If Ever I Would Leave You,” attracted widespread attention and favorable reviews. The song subsequently became his signature performance.
Following his success in Camelot, Goulet appeared on popular American television programs, including The Ed Sullivan Show and The Danny Thomas Show. These appearances helped establish him as a familiar name among American audiences. In 1962, he received the Grammy Award for Best New Artist and began recording music for Columbia Records. Over the course of his career, he released more than 60 albums.
Goulet entered the film industry in 1962 by providing the voice of Jaune-Tom in the animated musical Gay Purr-ee. He later contributed voice performances to The Daydreamer (1966) and Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade (2003). His first substantial non-singing film role was Ross Kingsley in the 1964 comedy Honeymoon Hotel. He subsequently appeared in the 1980 drama Atlantic City, earning favorable critical attention for his cameo. His other film credits included Beetlejuice (1988), The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991), and The Last Producer (2000).
In 1964, Goulet recorded an English-language adaptation of the Italian song “Amore, scusami,” titled “My Love, Forgive Me.” The recording reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbed to number two on the Adult Contemporary chart. The following year, he attracted public attention for an error while singing the American national anthem at the opening ceremony of the second Muhammad Ali–Sonny Liston heavyweight championship fight on May 25, 1965, in Lewiston, Maine. During the performance, he mistakenly sang “dawn’s early night” instead of the correct lyric, “dawn’s early light.”
In 1966, Goulet starred as David March, an Allied spy, in the espionage television drama Blue Light, which aired from January 12 to May 18. The first four episodes were subsequently edited together to create the film I Deal in Danger, released that same year.
One of the most significant achievements of Goulet’s stage career came in 1968, when he portrayed Jacques Bonnard in the Kander and Ebb musical The Happy Time. The production opened at the Broadway Theatre on January 18 and ran until September 28. His performance earned him the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical.
Over the following decades, Goulet continued to perform in numerous theatrical productions. His notable stage credits included Camelot (1975, 1990, and 1992–1994), Carousel (1979), Kiss Me, Kate (1981), South Pacific (1986–1989 and 2002), and Man of La Mancha (1996–1997).
Through his production company, Rogo Productions, Goulet helped produce the Emmy Award-winning 1966 television adaptation of Brigadoon, based on the stage musical of the same name. The company also produced a 1968 television adaptation of Kiss Me, Kate, in which Goulet appeared alongside his then-wife, Carol Lawrence.
In 1978, Goulet entertained the five finalists at the Miss Universe pageant with a performance of “You Light Up My Life.” On April 1, 1990, he sang the Canadian national anthem at the opening of WrestleMania VI, held at Toronto’s SkyDome in Ontario, Canada.
Goulet also contributed to the soundtrack of the 1999 computer-animated comedy Toy Story 2, voicing Wheezy the Penguin in a new rendition of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” In 2005, he received critical acclaim for his appearance in the Broadway revival of Jerry Herman’s musical La Cage aux Folles. This production marked his final Broadway appearance.
His last public performance came in the 2007 PBS television special My Music: 50’s Pop Parade, which featured veteran performers revisiting their popular songs. Goulet performed “If Ever I Would Leave You” and “Sunrise, Sunset,” bringing his long and distinguished performing career to a memorable close.
Family, Personal Life & Legacy
Goulet married Louise Longmore in 1956, and their marriage ended in 1963. They had a daughter, Nicolette, who later pursued a career as an actor in film, television, and theater. In 1963, he married American actress and singer Carol Lawrence. Their marriage lasted until 1981, and they had two sons, Christopher and Michael. In 1982, Goulet married artist and writer Vera Chochorovska Novak.
In recognition of his contributions to entertainment, Goulet received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2006.
On October 30, 2007, Goulet died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, while awaiting an emergency lung transplant. He was suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, a serious lung condition. The following day, theater marquees in New York and other North American cities were dimmed in his memory. On November 9, 2007, Las Vegas temporarily closed the Las Vegas Strip to accommodate his funeral procession. Numerous entertainment venues also displayed tributes honoring his life and career.
Goulet’s legacy has continued through the Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year Award, presented by the American Mustache Institute in his honor. Remembered for his distinctive baritone voice, memorable stage performances, and extensive work across music, theater, television, and film, he remains a notable figure in American entertainment history.