French Actor, Singer And Activist Yves Montand Dies At Age 70

PARIS - Yves Montand, the outspoken Italian-born French singer and actor, died of a heart attack yesterday. He was 70.

Mr. Montand often used his popularity to express his liberal, pacifist ideas.

He appeared in films with Edith Piaf, Simone Signoret, Ingrid Bergman, Shirley Maclaine, Marilyn Monroe and Barbara Streisand.

Mr. Montand, best known to American audiences for the films "Let's Make Love" and "Z," was married for 33 years to Signoret, who died in 1985.

In 1988, at 67, he became a father when his girlfriend, Carole Amiel, gave birth to a boy.

His other films included "Grand Prix," "Jean de Florette" and "On A Clear Day, You Can See Forever."

Mr. Montand was born Yvo Livi in Monsumano Alto, Italy, the son of a peasant. He left school when he was 11 to work in a pasta factory. Two years later he quit to become a barber, then worked as a bartender.

When he was 17 he discovered the cinema, which became his passion.

In Paris after World War II, he met Piaf, one of France's greatest singers, who took him under her wing and with whom he made his first film, "Star Without Light."