Louis Leplée
Louis Leplée (1883–1936) was a French entertainment entrepreneur and owner of the famous cabaret Le Gerny’s on 54 rue Pierre Charron near the Champs-Élysées in Paris. A close friend of actress Arletty, he discovered singer Édith Piaf performing on the street and hired her to perform at his club.[1] He gave her the stage name "La Môme Piaf" (The Little Sparrow) in reference to her diminutive stature and powerful voice. Leplée was also the nephew of popular French singer Polin.
On 6 April 1936, Leplée was found shot dead in his Paris apartment on Avenue de la Grande-Armée. Édith Piaf was questioned in connection with his murder but was never charged. The killing was widely believed to be a settling of criminal debts.