Lilyan’s father, Pantaleon Zemoz, and my mother, Ada Pachon, were first cousins and grew up together in the village of Villeneuve, high up in the Italian Alps north of Aosta. They were childhood sweethearts and remained close friends until Pantaleon and his wife Emilia retired to Laguna Beach (where he became a local celebrity with his Grandma Moses type paintings, although he had never painted before). I first saw Lilyan the day she rang the doorbell at our apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It was after World War II, Lilyan was 21, I was 18. There stood a beautiful, blond, energetic young woman, surrounded by three GIs (not surprising). She stayed with us for a short time, while she tried to launch a life for herself here in the U.S. She came to classes with me at Hunter College, taught French at Berlitz, explored the theater scene in New York. (We went to the beach together where Lilyan's athletic body was a smash in a yellow bikini, the only one; bikinis had not yet arrived in the U. S.) Her husband Bernard Chauvin arrived, but his staid middle class upbringing in France did not prepare him for the knockabout world of show business and New York and he returned to France. One day Lilyan packed a small bag with the photo of Greta Garbo she always kept near her and set off for Hollywood – alone. All she accomplished she did on her own through her talent, energy, and determination. We drifted apart as she pursued her career on the West Coast and I pursued my much more modest life here on the East Coast. But her extraordinary courage and spirit have always remained in my mind – and heart.
Vera DuMont
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Perside Zemoz sœur du papa de Lilyan Chauvin et toute la famille Zemoz d'Italie et de France se joignent a moi pour rendre hommage a notre nièce ou cousine Lilyan.
En ce jour nous lui dédions nos pensée les plus sincères.
Perside Zemoz
Translation:
Perside Zemoz, sister of Lilyan's Chauvin's dad and all of the Zemoz family of Italy and of France unite to pay homage to our niece and cousin Lilyan.
On this day we dedicate our most sincere thoughts to her.
Perside Zemoz
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Lily, tu nous a quittés,mais nous pensons que tu as eu la vie que tu avais choisie et qu'à force de travail et de pugnacité tu as su t'imposer dans ce milieu sans compromis.Grace à la correspondance que nous échangions, nous avons suivi et participé à tes différents succès et récompenses, ainsi le lien familial s'est maintenu. Repose en paix et en ce jour nous penserons encore plus fort à toi.
La famille Sabourin
Translation:
Lily, you have left us but we know that you enjoyed the life that you had chosen and due to your hard work and your tenacity you knew how to stand strong and not falter in the entertainment industry. Thanks to the correspondence that we shared we have followed and participated in your various successes and rewards and thus our family bond lives on.
Rest in peace and on your day of tribute our thoughts will be the strongest ever.
Family of the Sabourin
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Some performers are described as triple threats, actors, singers, dancers. Lilyan was a quadruple threat as a stunning linguist in French, Spanish, German, Russian, Italian and English and all accurate; enough to fool the natives. As an actress she had amazing range from hysterically funny to scary as hell. She was an undisputed coach and director as well.
It was my great privilege to be Lilyan's agent and friend for more than 30 years and she will always have a special place in my memory of extraordinary talents.
David Sacks
Theatrical Agent
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Lily was a patient in our hospital when I met her. I came to know Lily with a quality of intimacy that is the unique privilege of a hospital chaplain. My concern was Lily's quality of life, her dignity and her sense of meaning, purpose and hope. She was beautiful. She was introspective and curious, honest, earthy and forgiving. Her humor was delightful; her devotion to students, inspiring; her courage in the face of death, was deeply moving to me. She made our little hospital world a better place for her presence in it.
You were a blessing, Lily! We won't forget you!
Margaret Burdge
Palliative Care Manager/Chaplain
Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center
Burbank, CA
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I am very honored and privileged to have been a student of hers. She is an inspiration for all of us . Her talents, kindness and generosity has touched so many lives. Lilyan will always be in each and everyone of my performances. Lilyan not only taught me how to act, but through her kind generosity, inspired me to be the best I can be in life. She is a definite role model. Lilyan's influence has inspired me to pass on the giving that she so freely gave herself and to make the most of my talents. I'm so thankful for the time I had with her. She will always be a part of my life.
Deborah Ouellette
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My name is Allan Fisch and in 1984, I was an undergraduate at USC and my job was to videotape Lilyan's acting classes. I am now at USC in a graduate program and was sitting in class in Taper Hall and thought about her and just read of her passing.
It was during our time together when she went to Utah to film Silent Night Deadly Night.
Rest in peace,
Allan Fisch
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I studied under Lilyan at Columbia Studio's Film Industry Workshop. She was the best director there and a fun and loving person. I send my best thoughts to her friends and family.
Sandy St.John
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Lilyan was the biggest influence in my career. I studied with her at the Film Industry Workshop in the 60's. I was right out of High School and very frightened about taking an acting class. From the beginning she was so supportive of me. She encouraged me to do comedy and voice-overs and I followed her advice. We kept in touch thru the years. I got to know her Mother and spent time with Lil and her Mom in Laguna Beach.
Lilyan, I will never forget you. Love, Joni Robbins
Joni Robbins
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I met Lilyan Chauvin in the summer of 1970. I was a 22 year old struggling young actress attending a workshop at CBS Studios. Lilyan was one of the coaches. I was immediately drawn to this charismatic woman who seemed so eager to share her knowledge. She had an energy that was so exciting. Lilyan was unique.
Raised in war-torn Europe she managed to not only survive, but rise above the oppression surrounding her young life and I think that is a principal ingredient of Lilyan's essence. She was always a survivor and always thought positively even when faced with insurmountable odds.
Lilyan was a born teacher. She once told me that her life was made whole by the knowledge that she passed on to others. She said, "Elissa, if you can pass one bit of knowledge to another living soul -- your life will have not been in vain." "Knowledge" she said, "is the key to life." I have never forgotten her words and I have adopted her concept for my own life's purpose.
Lilyan was rock-steady and unwavering in her relationships -- be it family, friends, colleagues or students. If you were in her life -- you would always be in her life. She had an enormous heart and only equaled by her compassion
I learned so much from Lilyan. Not just about acting, or the French language -- but rather about life and what made it worthwhile. She told me to be a sponge and learn all I could about people, ideas and life in general.
My favorite expression of hers was: "Turn the camera around." I have applied that throughout my life. What it meant was -- there are two sides two everything and in order to understand both sides you must "turn the camera around" -- look at things from the other side.
In front of the camera she was Lilyan Chauvin -- a fascinating character to watch -- so believable. Behind the camera she was Lilyan Chauvin -- a bold and energetic director -- unafraid to try something different. And like the camera -- she had an eye for the truth. The "camera doesn't lie", she would say.
Yet in her home she was just Lily -- a woman who loved to read anything and everything. She loved to watch movies; she loved spending time with family and friends and she loved to teach. She was also at one with nature. Over the years she had many dogs and cats (all strays). She loved the birds and squirrels that made her yard their sanctuary. But to her, they weren't just birds and squirrels. Each bird was special; each squirrel had their own distinct personality. And they trusted her enough to eat from her hand.
My life would have been very different had I not known Lily. It was she who opened my young eyes and made me challenge myself to be the best I could be and to chart unknown avenues with fortitude.
My respect, gratitude and love will be as eternal as the legacy that Lilyan left here on earth.
As George Carlin wrote, "life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Thank you Lily for so many breathless moments.
Elissa Lynn
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I met Lilyan when I was 17. I was a horribly shy young girl with a concerned mother who thought an acting class would bring me out of my shell. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would become an actress but, that's exactly what happened. Lily took me under her wing and showed me the joy of acting. She brought the best out of everyone and if you could get a laugh from Lily when working on a comedy there was no better sound. Everyone in class wanted to make Lil proud. Thank you Lily, thank you for taking that shy young girl and helping her to learn to trust herself, I have always been grateful, you will forever be in my heart, Jennifer Runyon
Jennifer Runyon
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As an actress and student of hers , I had the privilege to know Lilyan for the past 10 years . We became friends but more than that she became my mentor . I have a great deal of admiration for the classy Lady that she was, her brilliant and witty spirit and her passion for life. Pessimism didn't exist for Lilyan. Little details could make a big difference in a day. One day that I was visiting her with my mom, she showed us with pride the pears coming from a tree that "my little mommy planted for me years ago, it's like she is still here with me in the garden" she said. And on another day, she shared with me her joy to feed a little squirrel sitting on her hand for that matter and totally fearless.
Simple moments of life with Lilyan but deep in my heart and memory that I will cherish for ever . Lily, you made my life sweeter when I needed it, you also knew the right words that helped me to be stronger and made me feel like if I was one of your spiritual daughters . You have all my gratitude and love for ever ...
Brigitte Barry
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I find it hard to express all that Lilyan means to me. She is one of the most profound people and influence in my life. I met her in early 1974 and she contributed immeasurably and unselfishly to my career aspirations and to my life. She was always positive, and uplifting - no matter what. SO I consider myself so lucky to have found her in this world - especially in the Los Angeles arena. AND I discovered Lil quite by accident. I was traveling along Ventura by bus to an audition when I saw a sign in a store front for video training. I got to my interview early and walked 3 miles back to the storefront - only to discover it closed. I swore out loud - and a lady, Margaret Gay, came to the door and asked if she could help me. I stated that I was interested in the acting class. She said it was filled but a new class would be starting within weeks and I could come to a "sample" class - then if interested I could enroll in the upcoming class. Well, I did and that changed my life. That began over a decade of studying acting with Lil in class, private coaching at her home, helping at USC, working for her in her classes and by her side. When I went through tough times she stood by me - I can't tell you how impressive a person she is. We have remained in touch as friends through the years. Since those early days she always expressed an interest in me and my children - she taught me to live, to love and to laugh. She inspired me to be my best and to live the best. Lilyan was and is a true friend, a true coach, a true guide and an incredible spirit. She touch so many people. I m happy to be counted as one of them she touch and who knew her. WOW! Thank you Lil, I love you!!!
Rex Steven Sikes
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There were only two acting coaches at Film Industry Workshops whose classes I happily anticipated. One was Biff Elliot with whom I have remained the closest of friends to this day. The other, of course, was Lilyan Chauvin. While they both had (and continue to have) a profound influence on my career and life it was Lil who achieved something with me that no one else had. I was at the time a steadfastly "serious" actor which meant I was quite proficient in producing tension and anger in my assigned scenes but hopelessly adrift when it came to scenes that required even the remotest semblance of smile and relaxation. In other words I was stiff as a board to such a degree that a well-meaning fellow student accused me of being a graduate of the George Raft Academy of Dramatic Arts. I can only speculate about the degree of frustration the teachers at FIW must have felt as countless months went by and no one could penetrate my Great Stoneface. I really think some of them threw in the towel but not Lil. She persisted. And persisted. And persisted. And suddenly (and probably inadvertently) a miracle happened during a scene I was doing in Lil's class. I smiled. Not just a tight and constipated smile but a real, genuine big as life show-all-my-teeth smile. As the scene ended I turned to Lil and I don't think I ever saw a happier lady. She was positively beaming and she came over and hugged me tightly and virtually shouted: "Dick, that's it! Do you realize how devastatingly attractive you are when you smile? Remember this moment and don't you dare ever lose it!" I remember it well, Lil. And so much more.
From that point on I had the feeling that Lil adopted me (though I'd guess that all of her other students felt exactly the same way). Much to my eternal shame and regret I was at the time embroiled in a tawdry and ultimately grim affair with a particularly destructive and predatory female student at FIW who was simultaneously involved with another highly respected FIW student and whose reputation left a great deal to be desired. Though all of my conversations with Lil had previously centered around acting I was surprised when one night after one of her classes Lil pulled me aside, looked me right in the eyes and with a genuinely worried and protective expression on her face whispered " Dick, be careful." Oh, how I wish I'd heeded her warning. When the whole ugly mess eventually blew up in my face guess whose shoulder I cried on and who was always there for me without at any time being the least bit judgmental?
One of the joys of my eventual career change to casting director was in my ability to pay Lil back in some small way for her continual kindness to me by constantly casting her in the projects I was involved in whenever she was remotely right for the part and boy did she make me look good. I can't recall an instance when the producer and/or director of these projects didn't rave about her warmth and utter professionalism.
Say goodbye to Lil? No possible way. Such was the vibrancy and enormity of her personality that there's not the slightest reason to say goodbye. She's still here. Always will be.
Richard Dinman
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I feel blessed and honored to have known such a wise, compassionate, deep and generous soul as Lily. On a trip to LAX from Central CA years ago, my family stopped in Hollywood to learn about how I could begin an acting career at age 14. As a guitarist, I had to visit The Guitar Center on Sunset, who referred me to SAG, who referred me to Lily. After sampling her class on Ventura Blvd., my parents could see such a positive change in my attitude and self-image that they faithfully made the 360 mile round-trip about once a month nearly every month for 4 years so that I (and often my little brother) could attend. She gave me a shortened stage-name, changing “Marija Krstic” to “Marty Kristy”, and a tough skin to survive any number of rejections until I got the part. While at Cal Arts, I was able earn course credits by studying acting and directing with Lily, then continued studying with her off and on for many years after graduating.
Next to my parents, Lily has been my greatest influence. As always, her timing was impeccable, having come into my life at a vulnerable age when her lessons were most valuable. Lily was (and is) the finest role-model I could have ever asked for: an independent, professional, intelligent, beautiful, successful, dignified woman. I was also fortunate to meet her Mom, who always had a sweet and glowing smile.
There are endless memories of fun and focus at the workshops. (oh, and my first “stage-kiss” was also my first kiss ever, right there in front of everyone in Lily’s class!). She had us put a quarter in the jar if we swore in class and then threw a party every so often with the money. There were classic Lily-lines, like, ”Darling, I love you very much but please remember to hold until I say, ‘cut’”…”Know your sub-text.”… ”Don’t pitch your voice.”…“You catch more bees with sugar than with vinegar.”…”Save the light.”…
She told us of precious moments like when, earlier that day, a blue jay sat on her finger in her backyard for the first time. She taught us how to breathe life into each character, to become detectives seeing beyond the obvious, to show humanity, to be self-aware, to appreciate nature, be kind and thoughtful to all, to NEVER say “I can’t”, to live life to the fullest, to always thirst for knowledge and treat it as a precious gift to be shared, see opportunities everywhere, appreciate the people in our lives and to find magic in every moment.
To show my gratitude, I convey these messages to my own music students and all others at every opportunity. I will miss Lilyan very much. My life is richer from having known this remarkable person.
Marija Krstic-Chin
(AKA “Marty Kristy”)
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I always looked forward to talking to Lilyan. She was a wonderful lady. It was a total shock when I called and she didn't pick up the phone, then heard the sad news. I will miss her a lot. May her soul rest in peace.
Mombi------------------------------------------------
As I have just received the news of Lilyan’s passing I am so struck by how much she means and meant to my life. I have always attributed my success in acting to her as well as my surviving the 80’s. Lilyan was my coach, my friend, my mother many times. Her soup, french bread , and couch made me feel at home on many occasions when I had a broken heart or was stressed from my work or personal life. When I needed to be propped up she was always there. Even now, as I beat myself for not seeing her since I moved away, I can hear her telling me to “knock it off” ...I can hear her saying, “Stop this. I know you loved me and that you were taking care of your children, husband and family.” At the same time she is quietly reminding me to take care of those who are still here and not to set myself up with regrets like this ever again. She is reminding me to make sure that I make time to see people who are special to me. We never know how long we will have to see them.With regard to acting,Lilyan taught me how to be a villain. I was always the “ingénue” until I met her. She gave me tools to use that served me notably well, as I was often recognized as “Best Villain” by magazines etc. in Daytime Television. I remember on General Hospital, I worked with her on every script. I was sure they wouldn’t take me seriously when I was supposed to be intimidating, frightening or even angry. I was afraid people would take one look at this blue eyed blonde face and laugh, thinking “You have got to be kidding!” Well, Lilyan put a stop to all that chatter and got me to focus on my strength… to find my strength, and to have true confidence in it. She did this so well in fact that I began to known for years as a formidable “Bad Girl” on Daytime Television and this has lasted for 20 years. I had to cast myself in a film I produced as a “Mom” because no one else would! I had the good fortune to know Lilyan’s mom too. No one loved their mother more than Lilyan did. She took such good care of her mother until the day she died, and took such joy in doing so. She nourished all living things…from her plants on her porch to her friends and family. I am teaching today as well as acting and producing. I think of her at every class. I only hope that I will be able to be half as good a teacher, friend, daughter, director and producer as she was… That will keep Lilyan Chauvin alive in my heart until I see her again someday.
With Love,
Tonja Walker
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I had the great good fortune to be one of Lilyan's students. Her classes were a special place where humanity was important. Hard work was expected and a joy for living was infused into every class. I treasure the memory of those classes and the time shared with Lilyan. Thank you, Liliyan for enriching our lives.
Nancy Raven Smith
Screenwriter
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Lily taught me the effectiveness and value of dichotomy in acting – the unexpected comment, the voice inflection or raised eyebrow that can twist the meaning of a moment. And I believe my Teacher meant for me to learn an even deeper lesson and appreciation for dichotomy, because in Lily I saw a marvelous blend of dichotomy - strict yet compassionate, disciplined yet expressive, complex yet with simple needs. Lily had wisdom well beyond the industry she devoted her life to. Through her own life journey Lily came to recognize that all actors (and even all people) must continually balance opposing extremes - fear of rejection but with a need to self-express, self-critical but with a need for affirmation. She understood these inner struggles in her students and she empowered us to explore and even embrace our dichotomies. Lily loved aspiring actors, and in those who were sincere, I believe she recognized the same qualities that she valued in herself - a passion and a need to create, to affect life, to overcome challenge. Lily was a very wise Teacher, with wisdom gained through triumphant struggles and perseverance. Her wisdom was not limited to acting and the industry to which she devoted her life. Lily had a deep wisdom about life itself and about people. It was her wisdom that she so generously shared with those who were fortunate to know her. We encounter many people during life’s journey. Some encounters can last for years yet produce no effect, but a rare few are so significant that they touch all the way down to our core and affect who we are. I feel blessed to have been affected in this way by Lily.
Michael Ouellette
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Lilyan Chauvin; Actress, Host, DGA Director, WGA Writer, Former VP of Women in Film, Author, Teacher and Private Coach passed away at her Studio City home on Thursday, June 26, 2008 after a 40 year battle with breast cancer complicated by recent congestive heart disease.
Twice up for the "Emmy Award" nomination, "The Young and the Restless" (1989-1990) and “Baa Baa Black Sheep” (1977), her dedication to the arts won her recognition to for Excellence in moral quality media. As Producer & Director, she won the 1991 “Angel Award” for the program “Hollywood Structured”, Co-produced with Julie Johnson and Irene Lamothe where Lilyan appeared weekly as the host for cable television with some of the top names in show business including Jacqueline Bisset, Linda Gray, Morey Amsterdam, Danny Glover, Henry Mancini, Anne Francis, Carmen Zapata and many more. Chauvin is also well known for her portrayal of various characters in TV series, soap operas, miniseries and feature films. 
A long time veteran of the European stage, French-American character actress Lilyan Chauvin is conceivably one of America‘s favorite silver screen stars. To Horror fans she might be best known as the sinister Mother Superior in “Silent Night Deadly Night I & II”, but to comedy fans she’s more recently recognized for her appearances in “Ugly Betty” and the long running television hit series “Frasier”. Chauvin is also known for her roles in Steven Spielberg’s “Catch Me if You Can”, the Coen brothers’ “The Man Who Wasn’t There”, Stephan Hopkins’ “Predator 2” and she is also widely recognized for her role as Mrs. Tremont in “Private Benjamin” and her role as Mrs. John Devreux in the “Universal Soldier”.
appearance in “Lost, Lonely and Vicious” in 1958 and later starred in “Walk Like a Dragon”. In “Funny Lady”, Chauvin played Mademoiselle with Barbara Streisand and other film credits also include “Yours Mine and Ours”, "No Place to Hide", Tickle Me”, “Born in East LA”, “Sublime”, “Round Trip to Heaven”, “Duty Dating”, “Skeleton Woman”, "Beyond Reason” and “Bad Influence”. Chauvin was a series regular on "Days of Our Lives" and "The Young and Restless". She held recurring roles on "Mission Impossible", "General Hospital" and on "Falcon Crest" as Sister Jeannette. Some of Chauvin's more recent television credits include “Friends”, “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”, “ER”, “Malcolm in the Middle”, “Alias”, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”, “The X-Files” and “Murder She Wrote”. Chauvin’s earlier television credits include the original “Adventures of Superman”, “Perry Mason”, “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”, “Dragnet” and “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”. With hundreds of film and television credits to her name, Lilyan Chauvin found herself to be one of the busiest character actresses in Hollywood.
Chauvin's European Stage & Equity Theatre credits include "MacBeth", "Medea", "Man in A Glass Booth", "Silk Stockings", "Molly Brown", "Camille" and "Three For Today". Through her new relationships, connections and theatrical success she began landing roles in New York television productions including TV’s prestigious Studio One Playhouse. Soon thereafter she traveled to Los Angeles where she weathered the initial hard times at getting work and then began working regularly in Hollywood film and television. She initially won roles on films such as “Black Street”, “The Wreck of the Mary Deare” and “Marathon Man” .
In the industry, Chauvin’s talents are respected equally as a director and actress. Her DGA directing credits include "The Young and The Restless" (CBS), "But She Can Type" (NBC), "Celebration 75"(KTTV), "War on Marathon Street" (CBS) and "Windows of Heaven" (CBS). Chauvin directed the theatrical productions of “Last Summer at Bluefish Cove”, Effigies”, “Seacliffe California”, “in My Minds Eye”, The Happy Time” and “The Deepest Hunger”. She also helmed a musical called “Laughter and Love”.
She was on the Women’s Steering Committee of the Directors Guild of America and had over 35 credits as a DGA Director since 1979. She’s a member of Screen Actors Guild, the Writers Guild of America, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artist and Equity. Committed to furthering women’s causes, especially in the industry, Chauvin was a 39 year member of Women in Film. She served on the organization’s Board five times, twice as WIF’s Board Vice President.
