French actresses who were born in 1902
Here are 11 famous actresses from France were born in 1902:
Louise Lévêque de Vilmorin
Louise Lévêque de Vilmorin (April 4, 1902 Verrières-le-Buisson-December 26, 1969 Verrières-le-Buisson) a.k.a. Louise Lévêque de Vilmorin, Marie Louise Lévêque de Vilmorin, Louise Vilmorin, Louise de Vilmorin or Louise Leveque de Vilmorin was a French journalist, novelist, poet, screenwriter and actor. She had three children, Jessie Leigh Hunt, Alexandra Leigh Hunt and Helena Leigh Hunt.
Louise Lévêque de Vilmorin was born into an aristocratic family and grew up on her family's estate, Château des Brosses. She married and divorced twice, first to Philippe de Saint-Paul and then to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the author of "The Little Prince." She was known for her wit, elegance, and love of fashion, and was a member of the French literary and social circles.
In addition to her writing and acting, she also worked as an editor for a fashion magazine and was a frequent contributor to several other publications. She was best known for her novels, many of which were romantic in nature and often drew from her own life experiences. Some of her most famous works include "Madame de," "La Lettre dans un taxi," and "Les Belles Amours."
After her death, the French Academy instituted the Prix Louise-Lévêque-de-Vilmorin, an annual prize given to young writers for their first collections of poetry or short stories. Her legacy continues to inspire French literature and culture to this day.
Louise Lévêque de Vilmorin was a talented horticulturist as well, and her love for plants and flowers was reflected in her writing. She wrote several books on gardening, including "Four-Season Flower Garden," which she co-wrote with landscape architect Léonie Gilmour. She also designed gardens for several high-profile clients, including the Duchess of Windsor and the Rothschild family. In addition to her literary and gardening pursuits, Louise Lévêque de Vilmorin was a noted collector of fine art and antiques. She amassed an impressive collection of French furniture and decorative arts, which were sold at auction after her death. Her personal life was often the subject of gossip in French high-society circles, and she was known for her various romantic relationships with both men and women. Despite this, she continued to build a successful career as a writer and remained a respected figure in the French literary world throughout her life.
Madeleine Milhaud
Madeleine Milhaud (March 22, 1902 Paris-January 17, 2008 Paris) also known as M. Milhaud was a French actor. She had one child, Daniel Milhaud.
Madeleine Milhaud was born in a family of musicians in Paris, France. She was married to the famous French composer and teacher Darius Milhaud in 1925, and the couple remained together until Darius' death in 1974. Madeleine was not only a talented actress, but also a writer and translator, and worked on several productions alongside her husband. She is most known for her role in the 1966 film La Guerre est Finie. Madeleine maintained an active social and cultural life throughout her long life, and was committed to preserving her husband's artistic legacy. She passed away in Paris at the age of 105, having lived through two World Wars, the rise and fall of the Soviet Union, and the invention of the internet.
Madeleine Milhaud was also known for her dedication to preserving the legacy of her husband, Darius Milhaud. After his death, she worked tirelessly to promote his work and oversaw the publication of several of his compositions. In addition to her work with her husband, Madeleine was a prolific writer and translator, and published several works on literature and music. She was also an active participant in Parisian cultural life, and was a well-known figure in artistic circles. Throughout her long life, Madeleine remained devoted to her family and friends, and was known for her wit, charm, and intelligence. She was a beloved figure in the French cultural world, and her passing was mourned by many.
Arlette Marchal
Arlette Marchal (January 29, 1902 Paris-February 11, 1984 Paris) also known as Lucienne Marie Marchal was a French actor.
She was known for her work as a stage actor and starred in over 20 films throughout her career. Marchal began her acting career in the 1920s and became a well-known stage actor in Paris. She later transitioned to film and appeared in notable French films such as "Pepe le Moko" (1937), "La Bete Humaine" (1938), and "Le Corbeau" (1943). Despite facing setbacks during World War II for her leftist political beliefs, Marchal continued to act in films and stage productions until her retirement in the 1960s. She received critical acclaim for her performances, and was awarded the Legion of Honor in France in recognition of her contributions to the arts.
Marchal was born into a family with a background in the arts - her father was a writer and her mother was an actor. She studied acting at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Art in Paris, where she honed her skills with some of the most renowned teachers of her time. Her stage career took off in the 1920s, and by the 1930s, she was one of the most respected and admired actors in France.
In addition to her work on stage and in film, Marchal was also active in the French resistance during World War II. She worked with underground groups to distribute literature and help fugitives escape to safety. Her political activities eventually caught the attention of the Gestapo, and she was picked up for questioning in 1942. She managed to escape, but was forced to go into hiding for the remainder of the war.
After the war, Marchal returned to acting and continued to work steadily until her retirement. She was known for her versatility as an actor, and her ability to portray a wide range of characters in both comedic and dramatic roles. In addition to her acting work, she wrote several plays and was known for her support of young up-and-coming talent in the French arts scene.
Despite her many accomplishments, Marchal remained humble and dedicated to her craft throughout her life. When asked about her success, she once said, "I never thought about fame or money. I just wanted to be the best actor I could be, and tell the stories that needed to be told."
Maria Fromet
Maria Fromet (September 11, 1902 Chauny-January 11, 1967 Paris) a.k.a. Marie Léonie Fromet, Marie Fromet, Petite Fromet or Petit Fromet was a French actor.
Born in Chauny, France in 1902, Maria Fromet began her career in the entertainment industry as a singer before transitioning to acting in films. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, she appeared in numerous French silent films and later went on to star in talking pictures.
Fromet was known for her comedic timing and expressive face, making her a beloved figure in French cinema. Some of her notable films include "Le Mariage de Chiffon" (1942), "Ah! Les Belles Bacchantes" (1954), and "La Châtelaine du Liban" (1956).
In addition to her on-screen work, Fromet also had a successful theater career and appeared in several stage productions. She retired from acting in 1963 due to failing health and passed away four years later in Paris at the age of 64. Her legacy continues to live on through her contributions to French cinema.
Fromet's talent as an actor went beyond the silver screen, as she also performed in cabarets and music halls, showcasing her singing abilities. She was known for her unique and humorous performances, displaying a charming and playful personality both on and off camera. Fromet's career spanned several decades and she worked with some of the most influential figures in French cinema, including directors Claude Autant-Lara and Jean Renoir. Despite her success, Fromet remained humble and continued to work hard throughout her career. She is remembered as a gifted performer whose contributions to French entertainment have left a lasting impact.
Alyce Ardell
Alyce Ardell (November 14, 1902 Paris-March 3, 1996 Laguna Hills) also known as Alice Ardell or Marie Alice Pradel was a French actor.
She started her acting career in France during the 1920s and gained popularity for her performances in several silent films. In the 1930s, she moved to Hollywood, California and began appearing in American films. She was known for her roles in films such as "The Cat and the Canary" (1939) and "The Story of Dr. Wassell" (1944). Ardell also worked on Broadway productions such as "The Big Knife" (1949). In addition to acting, she also wrote screenplays and directed films in France. Ardell lived a long life and passed away at the age of 93 in Laguna Hills, California.
During her career, Ardell appeared in over 50 films and was known for her elegant and sophisticated on-screen persona. She was also fluent in several languages, including Spanish, German, and English, which made her a versatile performer. In France, she was part of the French New Wave movement in the 1950s and directed several notable films, including "L'Alliance" (1951) and "Passion" (1954). She also starred in films by renowned French filmmakers such as Jean Cocteau and Marcel Carné. Ardell was considered one of the most talented actors of her generation and received numerous accolades throughout her career. In 1964, she was awarded the Legion of Honour by the French government for her contributions to cinema. Ardell's legacy lives on in her impressive body of work, which continues to inspire actors and filmmakers today.
Blanche Montel
Blanche Montel (August 14, 1902 Tours-March 31, 1998 Luzarches) also known as Rose Blanche Jeanne Montel was a French actor. She had one child, Jacques Decoin.
Blanche Montel began her career as an actress in the 1920s and appeared in over 70 films throughout her career. She worked with directors such as Marcel Carné, Jean Renoir, and René Clair, becoming a popular face in French cinema. Montel also had a successful stage career, performing in numerous productions at the Comédie-Française and other theaters in Paris. In addition to her acting career, Montel was a published author, writing several novels and memoirs. She remained active in the entertainment industry well into her 80s, making her final film appearance in 1985. Montel passed away at the age of 95 in Luzarches, France.
Throughout her career, Blanche Montel was known for her versatile acting skills, able to portray a variety of roles with ease. She was highly respected by her peers in the industry and was considered one of the most talented actresses of her generation. In addition to her work as an actress, she was also a vocal advocate for women's rights in the film industry and worked to ensure that female actors were given equal opportunities and pay. Over the course of her long and illustrious career, Montel received numerous accolades for her contributions to the arts, including the prestigious Legion of Honour. Her legacy continues to inspire and influence actors and artists around the world.
Tania Balachova
Tania Balachova (February 25, 1902 Saint Petersburg-August 4, 1973 La Ferté-Macé) also known as Tat'yana Pavlovna Balachova was a French actor.
She started her career in the Soviet Union at the State Jewish Theater in Moscow in the 1920s. She later fled the country due to political reasons and settled in Paris in the 1930s. There, she became a prominent figure in the French theater scene, working with well-known directors such as Jean-Louis Barrault and Georges Pitoeff. Balachova also appeared in several French films, including "Les Enfants Terribles" and "The Lovers of Montparnasse". She continued to work in theater and film until her death in 1973. Balachova was widely recognized for her unique voice and ability to play a wide range of characters, from comic to tragic.
Balachova was also a talented language teacher and helped many actors and actresses perfect their Russian and French accents. She taught at the Ecole de la Rue Blanche and the National Conservatory of Dramatic Art in Paris. Balachova was also known for her activism, particularly on behalf of refugees and immigrants. She was a member of the French Committee for Aid and Support to Russian Artists and Intellectuals and worked closely with the Jewish Defense Committee. In recognition of her contributions, Balachova was awarded the Order of the Legion of Honor, France's highest civilian decoration, in 1963.
Gaby Basset
Gaby Basset (March 29, 1902 Varennes-Saint-Sauveur-October 7, 2001 Neuilly-sur-Seine) also known as Marie-Louise Basset or Marie-Louise Camille Basset was a French actor.
Basset was born in Varennes-Saint-Sauveur, Saône-et-Loire, France in 1902. She began her acting career in the 1920s and gained recognition for her performances in several French silent films. She continued to act on stage and screen throughout the 1930s and 1940s, and was particularly renowned for her performances in theater productions.
Basset's career was interrupted by the Second World War, during which she participated in the resistance movement. After the war, she continued to act, appearing in films and television productions in France. Over the course of her career, Basset appeared in over 50 films, including Les Belles de nuit (1952), La Belle et la bête (1946), and L'Empire des sens (1976).
Basset was a much-loved and respected figure in French film and theater, and was honored with several awards throughout her career. She passed away in Neuilly-sur-Seine in 2001 at the age of 99.
In addition to her successful acting career, Gaby Basset was known for her work as a translator and dubbing artist. She dubbed many famous actresses in French versions of Hollywood films, including Marlene Dietrich and Ingrid Bergman. Basset was also a published author, writing several books about her experiences in the resistance movement during the Second World War. She was awarded the Legion of Honor, France's highest civilian honor, in recognition of her bravery during the war. Throughout her life, Basset was committed to social and political causes, and was an outspoken advocate for women's rights and workers' rights. She was married to fellow actor Georges Douking, with whom she frequently worked on stage and screen, until his death in 1958.
Renée Devillers
Renée Devillers (October 9, 1902 Paris-August 5, 2000 Lagny-sur-Marne) also known as Renée Blanche Deteix was a French actor.
She began her acting career in the early 1920s in Parisian theaters and made her film debut in 1926 with the silent film "Paris, geant de France." Devillers appeared in more than 70 films throughout her career, including "La belle équipe" (1936), "La gloire de Montmartre" (1952), and "Les amants de Montparnasse" (1958). She also acted on stage, particularly in the works of French playwright and actor Sacha Guitry. In addition to her acting career, Devillers was also a talented singer and dancer. She retired from acting in the 1960s and lived in Lagny-sur-Marne until her death in 2000 at the age of 97.
Devillers was born into an artistic family. Her father was a painter, and her mother was a singer. From a young age, she showed an interest in the arts, particularly in acting. After completing her education, she began her acting career in Parisian theatres, where she performed in several plays.
In the 1930s, she became more popular, appearing in films such as "Pépé le Moko" (1937), "Les Disparus de Saint-Agil" (1938) and "Le Président" (1938). During the Second World War, Devillers continued to work in the French film industry. However, after the war, her career went into decline, and she appeared in smaller roles.
Devillers' talent extended beyond the acting field. She was also a talented painter and sculptor, and her artwork was exhibited in galleries throughout France. Despite being in the limelight for several decades, Devillers remained private and maintained a low profile throughout her life.
In recognition of her contribution to French cinema, Devillers was awarded the Legion of Honour, the highest award in France. She was also awarded the National Order of Merit for her contribution to the arts.
Devillers' legacy lives on, and she is remembered as one of the most talented actors of her generation. Her films are still watched and admired by fans of classic French cinema around the world.
Marie-Hélène Copeau
Marie-Hélène Copeau (December 2, 1902 Lyngby-Taarbæk Municipality-August 28, 1994 Beaune) a.k.a. Marie-Hélène Dasté was a French actor and costume designer. Her child is called Catherine Dasté.
Marie-Hélène Copeau was born into a family of theatre professionals. Her father was Jacques Copeau, a famous actor, director and theatre producer. Marie-Hélène started her career in theatre as a costume designer, working closely with her father's theatre company. She then went on to become an actor and performed in several productions by the company.
In addition to her work in theatre, Marie-Hélène Copeau also appeared in a few films. She had roles in Jean Renoir's "La Grande Illusion" and Marcel Pagnol's "Fanny". However, her true passion remained in theatre and she continued to work as an actor and costume designer until her retirement.
Marie-Hélène Copeau was known for her impeccable taste in costumes and was highly regarded in the French theatre community. She was also a mentor to many young actors and designers who went on to have successful careers in theatre.
After her retirement, Marie-Hélène Copeau moved to Beaune, a town in Burgundy, where she spent the rest of her life. She passed away on August 28, 1994, at the age of 91.
Marie-Hélène Copeau is considered to be one of the influential figures in French theatre during the 20th century. Under her father's guidance, she developed a keen eye for theatrical design and craftsmanship. Her costume designs were known for their simple but elegant style, and they often reflected the naturalistic approach that her father Jacques Copeau had developed in his theater productions.
During her career as a performer, Marie-Hélène Copeau appeared in some of the most notable productions of her time. She acted in her father's productions of Shakespeare's plays, as well as in other works by contemporary playwrights such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Anton Chekhov, and Tennessee Williams.
Marie-Hélène Copeau was also known for her generosity and her love of teaching. She taught acting and theatrical design at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Art in Paris and mentored several aspiring artists throughout her career. Her contributions to French theatrical culture were recognized in her time, and her impact is still felt today.
Jane Sourza
Jane Sourza (December 1, 1902 Paris-June 3, 1969 Paris) also known as Jeanne Elise Sourzat was a French actor.
She began her career in theater and performed in numerous productions in Paris in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1932, Sourza made her film debut in the French film "Les Gaietés de l'escadron" and went on to appear in over 80 films throughout her career.
She was known for her versatility as an actress and her ability to portray a wide range of characters, from comedic to dramatic roles. Some of her most notable film roles include "Quai des Orfèvres" (1947), "La Rue Cases-Nègres" (1983), and "The Earrings of Madame de..." (1953).
Sourza was also a member of the French Resistance during World War II and was awarded the Croix de Guerre for her bravery. After the war, she continued to act in films and on stage, and was awarded the title of Chevalier dans Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur in 1964 for her contributions to the arts.
In addition to her successful acting career, Sourza was also a talented singer and recorded several songs in the 1930s and 1940s. She was a popular performer and her recordings were well-received. Sourza was married to French actor and director Pierre Fresnay, with whom she frequently collaborated on stage and on screen. They remained married until her death in 1969. Today, Jane Sourza is remembered as one of the great French actresses of her time, and her contributions to the arts and the French Resistance continue to inspire generations.