Helene Toulet; Widow of Musso and Frank Grill Founder

Helene Toulet, 101, the widow known as “Mrs. Frank” of Firmin (Frank) Toulet, founder of Hollywood’s historic Musso and Frank Grill. Longtime cashier at the storied haunt of actors and writers, Mrs. Toulet once admired comedian Charlie Chaplin’s Panama hat--only to have him present it to her as a gift. Chaplin also gave “Mrs. Frank” a fake mustache he had forgotten to remove before leaving the studio. Born Marie Jeanne Zoe Helene Precha in New York, Mrs. Toulet moved west with her family in 1907, and as a young girl began working at the cash register in the six restaurants they opened. She married Toulet, a fellow employee, in 1917. Two years later, the Toulets worked out the partnership with San Francisco restaurateur Joseph Musso to found the still-popular Musso and Frank Grill at 6667 Hollywood Blvd. The Toulets sold their interest in the restaurant in 1926. On July 18 in Los Angeles.