Kurt "Frenchy" Yaghjian (also known as Kurt Yahjian) is an American actor and singer known for his appearance as Annas in the 1973 film Jesus Christ Superstar.Kurt Yaghjian is the son of Haig Yaghjian, a former assistant conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and was a member of a school choir that participated in the premiere of Gian Carlo Menotti's The Death of the Bishop of Brindisi in May 1963. He is of Armenian descent. Menotti was impressed with the expressiveness of Yaghjian's face and recommended him to NBC for the role of Amahl in Amahl and the Night Visitors in 1963, the first time that the production was videotaped, previous versions having been shown live. The videotaped version with Yaghjian was shown annually until 1966. In 1971 he graduated from North Carolina School of the Arts.He has taken part in advertising campaigns for products such as Coca-Cola, Ford Motors, Domino's Pizza, Toyota, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Budweiser and Sprite.He appeared in the original Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar from 12 October 1971 to 30 June 1973 as a leper, a reporter and as understudy to Ben Vereen as Judas Iscariot.From the early 1990s until after the events of September 11, 2001 Yaghjian was in a band called Little Isidore and the Inquisitors. In October 2001 he joined another band called Kenny Vance and the Planotones. His musical appearances include Amahl in the television movie Amahl and the Night Visitors (1963), Annas in Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) (film and soundtrack), and Hair (1979).
Was in a band called Little Isadore and the Conquistadors, which lasted from the early 1990s up until after the events of September 11, 2001. A month later, he joined another band called the Planotones on a full-time basis.
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Has done studio work over 15 years, advertising for products such as Coca Cola, Ford, Dominos Pizza, Toyota, Cadillac, Chevy, Budweiser, and Sprite.
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Is of Armenian descent. His last name is Armenian.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Hair
1979
Ain't Got No (as Kurt Yahjian)
Jesus Christ Superstar
1973
Annas
Amahl and the Night Visitors
1963
TV Movie
Amahl
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Hair
1979
performer: "Ain't Got No"
Jesus Christ Superstar
1973
performer: "Then We are Decided", "This Jesus Must Die", "Damned For All Time/Blood Money", "The Arrest", "Judas' Death"
$10 Million
