Here are 7 famous actresses from France were born in 1901:
Alice Prin (October 2, 1901 Châtillon-sur-Seine-April 29, 1953 Sanary-sur-Mer) also known as Kiki de Montparnasse, Kiki, Alice [Kiki] Prin, Queen of Montparnasse or Alice Ernestine Prin was a French singer, actor, art model, memoirist and painter.
She was the muse of many important artists during the Roaring Twenties, including Man Ray, Alexander Calder and Kisling. Kiki's unique look and charisma made her an iconic figure of the avant-garde art scene in Paris. She also performed in several avant-garde films and cabaret shows, showcasing her talents as a singer and dancer. In 1929, Kiki released her autobiographical book "Souvenirs de Kiki", which chronicled her bohemian lifestyle and experiences as a model and performer. After the end of World War II, Kiki's popularity waned, and she struggled with poverty and alcoholism. She moved to the South of France in the 1950s and died of a heart attack at the age of 51. Despite her difficult later years, Kiki's legacy lives on as a symbol of freedom, creativity and nonconformity.
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Véra Korène (June 6, 1901 Artemivsk, Donetsk Oblast-) also known as Vera Korene or Rebecca Véra Koretzky is a French actor and theatre director.
Véra Korène was born in what is now Ukraine, and grew up in France. She began her acting career in the 1920s, and went on to perform in a number of stage productions and films throughout her career. In addition to acting, Korène was also a respected theatre director, and worked with some of the leading theatre companies in France. She was known for her versatility as an actor, and played a wide range of roles throughout her career. Korène also wrote several plays, which were well-received by critics and audiences alike. Despite facing discrimination as a Jewish woman in France, she persevered in her career and is remembered as a talented actor and director.
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Mary Odette (August 10, 1901 Dieppe-March 26, 1987 Stockport) also known as Marie Odette Goimbault or Odette Goimbault was a French actor.
She started her acting career in the 1920s in French theater productions and then transitioned to film in the 1930s. Odette starred in several French films during this time, including "Le Roman d'un Spahi" (1936) and "L'Affaire du Courrier de Lyon" (1937).
During World War II, Odette served as a British spy and was eventually captured and imprisoned by the Germans in 1943. She famously survived torture and interrogation while in captivity and was eventually freed by the Allies in 1945. After the war, she received several honors for her bravery, including the George Cross and the Légion d'honneur.
Odette later moved to England and continued to act in films and on stage. She appeared in several British films, including "The Red Shoes" (1948) and "Ivanhoe" (1952). She also worked on television, with roles in shows such as "The Avengers" and "The Wednesday Play."
Odette passed away in 1987 in Stockport, England at the age of 85. Despite her successful acting career, it is her work as a spy during World War II that she is most remembered for.
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Marianne Oswald (January 9, 1901 Sarreguemines-February 25, 1985 Limeil-Brévannes) also known as Oswald, Marianne or Sarah Alice Bloch was a French actor, screenwriter and singer.
Marianne Oswald was born to a Jewish family in Sarreguemines, Lorraine, France. She started performing at a young age and became a well-known cabaret performer in Paris in the 1920s. She also appeared in several French films, including "La Grande Illusion" and "Le Crime de Monsieur Lange".
In addition to her work in entertainment, Oswald was involved in the French Resistance during World War II. She used her status as a performer to gather and transmit information, and helped to shelter Jews and political dissidents.
After the war, Oswald continued to perform and write, and was a popular figure in French intellectual circles. In the 1960s, she became a vocal advocate for animal rights and vegetarianism.
Oswald died in Limeil-Brévannes, France in 1985 at the age of 84.
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Mona Dol (May 28, 1901 Lille-December 29, 1990 Paris) also known as Amélie Alice Gabrielle Delbart, Mona Doll or Mona-Dol was a French actor.
Born Amélie Alice Gabrielle Delbart, Mona Dol began her acting career in the mid-1920s, appearing in a number of French films such as "Moulin Rouge" and "Belle Époque". She gained popularity in the 1930s with her roles in romantic comedies and dramas.
During the Second World War, Dol became a resistance fighter and was arrested and imprisoned by the Gestapo in 1943. She was released in 1945 and continued her acting career, working with prominent directors such as Jean Renoir and Roger Vadim.
Dol was also a painter and writer, publishing her first novel in 1946. In 1978, she was awarded the Legion of Honour, one of France's highest honours, for her contributions to the arts.
She died in Paris in 1990 at the age of 89.
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Marcelle Pradot (July 27, 1901 Montmorency-June 24, 1982 Neuilly-sur-Seine) also known as Marcelle Marie Claire Pénicaud or Marcelle Marie Claire Penicaut was a French actor.
Marcelle Pradot began her career in the French film industry as a teenager in the 1920s. She quickly gained recognition for her talent and became one of the leading actresses of her time. Pradot appeared in over 70 films throughout her career and worked alongside some of the biggest names in French cinema, including Jean Gabin and Danielle Darrieux.
In addition to her work in film, Marcelle Pradot also performed on stage and was a popular radio personality in France. She was known for her elegant and sophisticated style and was admired for her beauty and charm.
Despite her success, Marcelle Pradot remained modest and shied away from publicity. She retired from acting in 1956 and lived a quiet life in Neuilly-sur-Seine until her death in 1982. She is remembered as one of the greatest actresses of her generation and a true icon of French cinema.
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Marcelle Chantal (February 9, 1901 Paris-March 11, 1960 Paris) also known as Marcelle Jefferson-Cohn or Marcelle Jenny Chantal Pannier was a French actor.
Born in Paris to a family of actors, Marcelle Chantal made her first appearance on stage at the age of 4. She went on to have a successful career in both French theater and cinema. Throughout the 1920s and 30s, she was a popular actor in French film and appeared in over 50 movies. Some of her notable films include "The Cheat" (1923), "Bride of the Regiment" (1930), and "The Stars Never Die" (1938).
In addition to her acting career, Chantal was also a fashion icon in France. She was known for her elegant style and was often seen at the most exclusive Parisian events. She was married three times, first to director Jacques Feyder, then to playwright Henri Jeanson, and lastly to business magnate Albert Jefferson-Cohn.
During World War II, Chantal remained in Paris and continued to perform on stage, despite the danger. After the war, she returned to film and appeared in several successful movies. However, in the last years of her life, she suffered from depression and financial troubles. She died at the age of 59 in Paris. Despite her personal struggles towards the end of her life, Marcelle Chantal remains an important figure in French cinema and theater.
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