MAURICE MARSAC

March 23, 1915

Maurice Marsac was born on March 23, 1915 in Croix, Nord, France. 

He made his screen debut (appropriately) as a French policeman in Paris After Dark (1945), a film that employed many French World War II immigrants.  He also appeared in two 1952 Paris-set films: Assignment: Paris and April in Paris.  Later he did the Parisian musicals Gigi (1958) and Can-Can (1960). 

He made his television debut in a May 1950 episode of NBC’s “Fireside Theatre” (aka “Jane Wyman Presents”) titled “Man Without A Country.” 

In 1952, Marsac was in “Ricky Asks for a Raise” (ILL S1;E35) as the exasperated Maurice, the Tropicana Maitre d’. He earned a spontaneous round of applause from the studio audience after his skillfully juggling of the Tropicana’s two-line reservation system.  

Announcer Roy Rowan’s voice-over credits state that “the role William was played by Maurice Marsac.“ According to the original script, the character was actually supposed to be named ‘William’ but during the episode Mr. Littlefield (Gale Gordon) addressed him as ‘Maurice’.

In 1953 he made four appearance on “Our Miss Brooks” filmed at Desilu Studios, all playing Maurice La Blanche. His first episode was titled “Monsieur La Blanche.” 

Maurice returned to “I Love Lucy” in 1956 to play the café waiter who serves Lucy snails (and a bottle of Paul Masson California wine) in “Paris at Last” (ILL S5;E18). 

He has to deal with the outraged chef (Rolfe Sedan) when Lucy wants to put ketchup on her snails!

In December 1959, he was in an episode of “The Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse” titled “Murder in Gratitude” introduced by Desi Arnaz.  

In January 1960, he played Gustav the Maître d’ on an episode of “The Danny Thomas Show” filmed at Desilu Studios.  In October 1960, he played Mr. Martand, the grocer, on an episode of “Angel” titled “The French Touch,” also filmed at Desilu Studios. 

In March 1963, he played Pierre on Desilu’s “The Real McCoys” in an episode titled “Aunt Win Steps In” starring Joan Blondell.  A week later, he appeared in an episode of “Fair Exchange” (filmed at Desilu Studios) titled “Neville, the Pearlie.” In December of that same year, he did an episode of Desilu’s “Glynis” titled “Crime After a Fashion”.

From 1963 to 1970, Marsac did three episodes of “My Three Sons,” filmed at Desilu / Parmamount Studios. His first appearance also featured William Frawley. 

In March 1965, he was in “A Paris Original,” an episode of “My Living Doll” filmed at Desilu Studios.  In the early 1970s, Marsac did several episodes of “Mission Impossible” and “Mannix” two series fostered by Lucille Ball and Desilu. 

His final screen role (fittingly) was playing a French Maître d’ in the 1987 feature film reboot of Dragnet. 

He retired from acting and died on May 6, 2007 at age 92. He died less than three weeks after the passing of his wife of 55 years, Melanie.