Few people practiced the art of self-invention more flamboyantly than Michael Romanoff, a Hollywood restaurateur who claimed to be a member of Russia’s deposed Romanov royal family. But Romanoff was no prince. His rise from obscurity to Hollywood fame is a story of charm, audacity, and the power of a convincing lie.
From Brooklyn To Russian Royalty
Harry Gerguson was born in 1890 in New York City, the son of Lithuanian Jewish immigrants. As a young man, he reinvented himself as “Prince Michael Dimitri Alexandrovich Obolensky-Romanoff,” claiming to be a nephew of Tsar Nicholas II and a surviving member of the long lost Romanov dynasty.
Los Angeles Daily News, Wikimedia Commons
He Was Convincing—For A Little While
Despite his lack of noble background—or even Russian language skills—Gerguson carried himself with such flair and conviction that many were willing to believe, or at least humor, his story. His aristocratic airs and charming accent helped sell the image until 1932, when a New Yorker magazine piece reported that Romanoff was shipped to France to face charges of fraud.
Hollywood Falls For The Prince
Now on the comeback trail in the 1930s, Romanoff found his way to Hollywood, the perfect place for self-invention. He quickly worked his way into celebrity circles, hobnobbing with stars like Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, and Charlie Chaplin. Unlike other Romanov imposters who faded into obscurity, Romanoff turned his royal persona into a brand.
He Set Up Shop
His greatest success came in 1941, when he opened Romanoff’s, a high-end restaurant in Beverly Hills that quickly became a favorite haunt of the rich and famous. Romanoff’s symbolized post-war glamour with its plush interiors, attentive service, and celebrity clientele.
Not Russian—But Hollywood—Royalty
Romanoff’s was popular with many of the biggest stars in Hollywood at that time, including Bogart, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and Katharine Hepburn. The notorious photo of Sophia Loren glancing in disbelief at Jayne Mansfield’s impossibly low-cut dress was taken at Romanoff’s.
A Willing Suspension Of Disbelief
What made Romanoff’s story so unique was that many of his contemporaries knew he was a fraud—and basically didn’t care. His charm, storytelling talent, and refusal to break character made him an entertaining and lovable figure. In a town obsessed with image and performance, Romanoff fit right in.
As If Nothing Was Out Of The Ordinary
Even after journalists exposed his real identity as Harry Gerguson, he never admitted the truth, and the public largely ignored the revelation. Romanoff’s aristocratic persona had become more valuable and fun than the dry academic reality, both to himself and to the world that enjoyed playing along.
The Man Behind The Mask
Beneath the flamboyant exterior was a man of undeniable intelligence and ambition. Romanoff spoke several languages, read widely, and had a keen sense of humor. He frequently reinvented details of his backstory, claiming at various times to have been rescued from Russia by loyalists or to have escaped on a diplomatic passport.
He Knew That They Knew
His impersonation was not driven by delusion but by a kind of performative mischief, a lifelong commitment to a role that blurred the line between identity and entertainment. His routine got him bit parts in nearly 20 movies and several guest spots on radio shows.
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Legacy Of A Living Myth
Michael Romanoff’s restaurant closed in the 1960s, and he took his last breath in 1971, still clinging to his royal title. Despite being thoroughly debunked, his legend lives on as one of Hollywood’s most enduring and colorful fables.
An Amusing Imposter
Unlike other imposters who tried to gain power or money through deception, Romanoff's ambitions were lighthearted and theatrical. He didn’t seek to overthrow governments or scam fortunes—he simply wanted to live out a fantasy, and he succeeded in doing so. Those around him wouldn’t have dreamed of spoiling the act!
The Prince Of Pretenders
Michael Romanoff lied boldly but lived joyfully, offering the world a harmless vision of faded royalty dressed in a dinner jacket. His life invites us to consider where performance ends and identity begins. In the end, perhaps the most royal thing about him was not his bloodline, but his ability to command attention, charm a room, and leave a legacy of elegance shrouded in fiction.
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