French actresses who were born in 1911
Here are 7 famous actresses from France were born in 1911:
Simone Renant
Simone Renant (March 19, 1911 Amiens-March 29, 2004 Garches) also known as Georgette Simone Alexine Buigny, Simonne Renant or Georgette Simone Buigny was a French actor.
She was born in Amiens, France in 1911 and began her career on stage before transitioning to film. Renant appeared in over 50 films throughout her career making her one of the most recognizable faces in French cinema. She worked with many famous directors including Jean Renoir and Marcel Carné. One of her most notable performances was in the acclaimed 1944 film "Les Enfants du Paradis" ("Children of Paradise"). Renant passed away in Garches, France in 2004 at the age of 93.
Throughout her career, Simone Renant became famous for her beauty and elegance, which made her a sought-after actress in French cinema. She worked with notable co-stars such as Gérard Philipe and Jean Gabin. Among her other prominent films were "Les Inconnus dans la maison" (1942), "Non coupable" (1947), and "Les Grandes Manoeuvres" (1955). Despite her successful acting career, Renant took a break from acting in 1958 before returning a decade later in several television shows. In addition to her on-screen performances, Renant was also an accomplished stage actress and performed in numerous plays throughout her career. Off-screen, she was known for her intelligence, wit, and love for literature. Simone Renant remains a beloved figure in French cinema history.
Simone Renant's personal life was just as eventful as her professional one. She was married twice, first to actor Georges Flamant and then to film producer Serge Sandberg. Renant had a daughter from her first marriage, but her relationship with Sandberg was not as successful and they divorced after a few years. She also had several romantic relationships with notable figures of the time, including poet and screenwriter Jacques Prévert.
Renant's talent and elegance were widely respected and she received numerous accolades for her acting. She was nominated for a BAFTA award for Best Foreign Actress for her role in "Les Inconnus dans la maison" (1942). Towards the end of her career, she was honored with a special award at the 1983 César Awards for her contributions to French cinema.
Even after her retirement from acting, Simone Renant remained an important figure in the French cultural scene. She wrote articles and essays for various publications, and her memoir "Les Jours de ma vie" ("The Days of My Life") was published in 1989. Renant's legacy lives on as one of the great icons of French cinema, remembered for her talent, beauty, and contributions to the art form.
Michèle Alfa
Michèle Alfa (August 20, 1911 Gujan-Mestras-August 24, 1987 Le Vésinet) also known as Michèle Alpha, Joséphine Blanche Alfreda Bassignot or Josephine Alfreda Bassignot was a French actor.
Starting her career in the 1930s, Michèle Alfa went on to appear in over 70 films throughout her career. She was known for her performances in both dramatic and comedic roles, and was a popular leading lady in French cinema during the 1940s and 1950s. In addition to her work in film, Alfa also acted in theater productions and on television. Throughout her career, she worked with some of the most notable directors in French cinema, including Jean Renoir, Marcel Carné, and Jacques Becker. Michèle Alfa passed away in 1987, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most talented and versatile actors of her time.
Michèle Alfa had a rough start in life, losing her father during World War I and being raised in poverty by her mother. It was her mother's love of theater that first sparked Michèle's interest in acting, and she began performing in school plays at a young age. After completing her education, Michèle moved to Paris to pursue a career in acting. She quickly found success on stage and in film, and became known for her natural beauty and talent.
During World War II, Michèle Alfa took a break from acting to work with the French Resistance, participating in espionage and sabotage missions. After the war, she returned to her acting career and continued to attract audiences with her nuanced portrayals of complex characters.
In addition to her work as an actress, Michèle Alfa was also active in politics and was a member of the French Communist Party. She supported various social causes throughout her life, including advocating for the rights of women and workers.
Despite facing some setbacks in her professional and personal life, Michèle Alfa remained committed to her craft and continued to act well into her later years. Today, she is remembered as an icon of French cinema, a trailblazer for women in the arts, and a fierce advocate for social justice.
Michèle Alfa was married twice during her career. Her first marriage was to the film director Maurice Tourneur, with whom she had a daughter named Jacqueline. However, the marriage ended in divorce after a few years. Her second marriage was to the playwright and actor Jacques Destoop, with whom she had two children, Jean and Martine. This marriage also ended in divorce, but Alfa and Destoop remained good friends and continued to work together in the theater.
Aside from her film and theater work, Alfa was also a talented singer and recorded several songs throughout her career. She was particularly known for her versions of popular French songs such as "La vie en rose" and "Sous le ciel de Paris."
In recognition of her contributions to French culture, Michèle Alfa was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1965. She also received several other awards and honors throughout her career, including the Prix du Syndicat de la Critique in 1954, and the Grand prix du cinéma français in 1957. Her legacy as a gifted and influential actress has continued to inspire and captivate audiences in France and around the world.
Janine Crispin
Janine Crispin (June 25, 1911 Paris-June 18, 2001 Paris) also known as Jeannine Crepin, Jeannine Crispin, Jeanine Crispin or Jeannine Crispin de la Comédie Française was a French actor.
Crispin began her acting career in the theatre and joined the prestigious Comédie-Française in 1948 where she remained a member until her retirement in 1981. During her career, she appeared in numerous productions including plays by Molière, Racine, and Marivaux. She was also a respected voice actor and lent her voice to many French dubs of foreign films including Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" and "101 Dalmatians". In addition to her acting work, Crispin was also a writer, publishing a book of poetry and a memoir. She was awarded the Legion of Honor for her contributions to French culture in 1985.
Crispin was born into an artistic family, her mother, Madeleine Choquet, was a feminist and a painter, and her father, Maurice Crispin, was a journalist and editor. Crispin's interest in acting was sparked by watching Sarah Bernhardt perform and she went on to study at the prestigious Conservatoire de Paris. Her first professional acting role was in 1931 in the play "On purge bébé" by Georges Feydeau.
Crispin's career was interrupted by World War II, during which she worked for the French Resistance, but she returned to the stage after the war and quickly became a sought-after performer. In addition to her work with the Comédie-Française, Crispin also appeared in films and on television, earning critical acclaim for her performances.
Crispin never married and had no children, but she was known for her warm and generous nature, mentoring younger actors throughout her career. She remained active in the arts even after her retirement, serving as a judge for the prestigious Prix de la critique and continuing to write poetry and essays.
In addition to her talents as an actor and writer, Janine Crispin was also a skilled translator. She translated works by Tennessee Williams, James Joyce, and William Faulkner into French. She was known for her ability to capture the literary style and tone of the original works in her translations. In recognition of her contributions to French culture, Crispin was awarded the Officier des Arts et des Lettres in 1978. She was also a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts, one of the five academies of the Institut de France, where she held the seat of Poetry from 1986 until her death in 2001. Today, she is remembered as one of the great actors of her time and a beloved figure in French theatre and literature.
Andrée Servilanges
Andrée Servilanges (April 23, 1911 Paris-December 2, 2001 Vic-sur-Aisne) also known as Andrée Servilange, Servilange, Andrée Servillange or Andrée Marie Gabrielle Pagny was a French actor. She had one child, Patrice Mesnier.
Servilanges began her acting career in the 1930s and appeared in numerous French films throughout the following decades. Some of her notable roles include appearances in films such as "Les Mains Sales" (1951), "Le Rouge et le Noir" (1954), and "Le Triporteur" (1957). She often played supporting roles and was known for her versatility as an actor, able to play both comedic and dramatic characters.
In addition to her work as an actor, Servilanges was also a writer and authored several books throughout her life. She published her first book, "Les Jours Heureux," in 1947, and went on to write several more novels, as well as poetry and plays. She was also involved in the French resistance during World War II and was awarded the Croix de guerre for her service.
Servilanges continued to act into the 1990s and remained active in the French theater community until her death in 2001 at the age of 90. She is remembered as a talented and accomplished actor who made significant contributions to the French film industry.
Throughout her life, Andrée Servilanges was also known for her passion for politics and activism. She was a member of the French Communist Party for many years and was involved in various leftist causes. In the 1950s, she was blacklisted in Hollywood due to her political beliefs, and as a result, she returned to France to continue her acting career. She also participated in the May 1968 protests in Paris, which were a series of student and worker demonstrations that ultimately resulted in widespread civil unrest.
In addition to her theatrical work, Servilanges was also a voice actress and dubbed the voices of several foreign actresses in French films. She was also a teacher and taught drama at the Conservatoire de Paris for many years.
Servilanges' legacy continues to live on today, and her contributions as an actor and writer are still celebrated in French cultural circles. In 2011, on what would have been her 100th birthday, the city of Paris honored her with a commemorative plaque near her former home in the Montmartre district.
In her personal life, Andrée Servilanges was married to fellow actor Jacques Dumesnil for many years until his death in 1973. She was also a mother to her son Patrice Mesnier, who was a musician and composer. Mesnier often collaborated with his mother and composed the score for several of the films she appeared in.
In addition to her Croix de guerre, Servilanges was also awarded the Médaille de la Résistance and the Officier des Arts et des Lettres. She was recognized for her significant contributions to French culture and the arts.
Servilanges was known to be a strong-willed and independent woman, who spoke openly about her political views and beliefs. She was passionate about social justice issues, and her activism tied into her work both on stage and in film. Her lasting impact on French cinema and her dedication to political causes continue to be remembered today.
Renée Deneuve
Renée Deneuve (September 10, 1911 Le Havre-) also known as Renée Dorléac, Renée Simenot, Renee Dorleac or Renée Simonot is a French actor. She has four children, Catherine Deneuve, Sylvie Dorléac, Françoise Dorléac and Danielle Clariond.
Renée Deneuve began her career in the entertainment industry as a stage actress in the 1930s. She went on to act on radio and in films, including the 1942 film "Le Lit à colonnes" which she starred in alongside her husband at the time, Maurice Dorléac.
During World War II, Renée Deneuve worked with the French resistance, using her acting skills to help smuggle Jewish children to safety. After the war, she continued to act in films and on stage, and also became a voice actress, dubbing foreign films into the French language.
Renée Deneuve is perhaps best known for being the mother of acclaimed French actress Catherine Deneuve and her sisters. She has also written several books, including a memoir titled "Mes quatre filles et moi" (My Four Daughters and Me).
Additionally, Renée Deneuve was born into an artistic family, with her father serving as a stage actor and her mother a dressmaker. She was originally named Renée Simonot but changed her last name to Dorléac after marrying actor Maurice Dorléac. In the 1950s, she remarried and took on the surname of her second husband, Georges Marchal. Renée Deneuve's acting career spanned several decades, and she worked with some of the most well-known directors in French cinema, including Jean Renoir and Henri-Georges Clouzot. She received critical acclaim for her performances in films such as "Ballerina" (1937) and "Les Visiteurs du Soir" (1942). Despite her success, Renée Deneuve remained humble and private throughout her career, focusing on her family and her craft above all else.
In addition to her acting career, Renée Deneuve was also an accomplished voice actress. She dubbed the voices of many famous actresses in French versions of their films, including Ingrid Bergman in "Casablanca" (1942) and Vivien Leigh in "Gone with the Wind" (1939). Her distinctive voice made her a sought-after dubber in the French film industry.
Renée Deneuve's dedication to helping others extended beyond her work with the French resistance during World War II. She was also a passionate advocate for animal rights and worked tirelessly to promote their welfare. This dedication to social justice and compassion was a defining trait of Renée Deneuve's personality and career.
Despite passing away at the age of 107 in 2018, Renée Deneuve's legacy as a pioneering actress, activist, and mother has endured. Her career and life serve as a testament to the power of art and the importance of living a life of purpose and compassion.
Jandeline Mercure
Jandeline Mercure (February 17, 1911 Bétaille-June 24, 1998 Paris) also known as Aline Jeannerot was a French actor. She had one child, Isa Mercure.
Jandeline Mercure began her acting career in the 1930s, appearing in several stage productions before transitioning to films in the 1940s. She gained critical acclaim for her performance in the Jean Cocteau-directed film "Orpheus" (1950). She went on to appear in several more films including "The Lovers of Montparnasse" (1958) and "The Longest Day" (1962).
In addition to her film work, Mercure also made numerous television appearances, including the popular French TV series "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes" (The Last Five Minutes) in the 1960s.
Mercure was also a respected theatre director, helming productions of plays by famous French playwrights such as Molière and Racine.
In 1976, Mercure was awarded the National Order of Merit, one of France's highest honors. She continued to act and direct in both film and theatre until her death in 1998 at the age of 87.
Jandeline Mercure's career spanned over six decades and she was known for her versatility as an actor. She appeared in a wide range of genres, from dramas to comedies. She was also known for her collaborations with avant-garde directors, such as Jean-Pierre Melville and Jean-Luc Godard.
Outside of her acting and directing career, Mercure was a member of the French Resistance during World War II, working as a courier between France and England. She was also an outspoken activist for women's rights and gender equality, and was a member of the Women's Liberation Movement in France.
Mercure's legacy as an actor and director continues to be celebrated in France and around the world. In 2011, on what would have been her 100th birthday, a retrospective of her work was held at the Cinémathèque Française, showcasing some of her most famous performances.
Mercure had an impressive career, and her work earned her a reputation as one of France's most respected actors. She worked with many notable directors throughout her career and was particularly admired for her work in the theater. She was a founding member of the Comédie-Française, one of the most prestigious theatrical organizations in France. Mercure was also a beloved teacher, training younger actors in the craft. She was known for her kindness, generosity, and dedication to her work. Her impact on French cinema and theater is still felt today, and she remains an inspiration to many aspiring actors and directors.
Junie Astor
Junie Astor (December 11, 1911 Marseille-August 22, 1967 Sainte-Magnance) also known as Rolande Jeanne Risterucci was a French actor.
She began her acting career in the 1930s, appearing in films such as "The Mediterranean" and "Kiss Me, Sergeant." Astor gained popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, starring in numerous French films, including "Last Refuge," "The Red Rose," and "The Firebird."
Despite her success on screen, Astor had a tumultuous personal life. She was married three times and had several affairs, including one with actor Robert Mitchum. Astor was also known for her rebellious behavior and was once fined for driving a car without a license.
In addition to her acting work, Astor was an accomplished author, publishing several books during her lifetime. She tragically passed away at the age of 55 due to a heart attack.
Astor's real name was Rolande Jeanne Risterucci, but she decided to adopt the stage name Junie Astor early on in her career. Her father, who worked as an electrical engineer, died when she was just six years old, and her mother struggled to provide for her family, leading Astor to take on odd jobs to support them. Despite the financial difficulties, Astor pursued her dream of becoming an actor, and she quickly landed roles in several popular French films.
Although Astor's personal life was often tumultuous, she remained a beloved figure in French cinema throughout her career. In addition to her work in film, she also wrote several books, including a memoir about her experiences as an actor. Despite her many accomplishments, Astor was said to have struggled with addiction and depression in the later years of her life, which may have contributed to her untimely death. Nevertheless, she remains a remembered and celebrated figure in French film history.
Astor was known for her versatility as an actor and her ability to portray a variety of characters. She was particularly praised for her dramatic roles, but also had a talent for comedic performances. In addition to her success in French cinema, Astor also appeared in international films, including the American film "The Barefoot Contessa" directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.
Astor's relationships with her co-stars were often the subject of tabloid gossip. She was linked romantically to several famous actors, including Robert Mitchum and Jean Gabin. Astor's love life was also marked by her tumultuous marriages, including one to French actor Jean-Pierre Aumont.
Despite her personal struggles, Astor continued to work consistently throughout her career, refusing to compromise her artistic integrity. She was known for her determination and fearlessness both on and off screen. Today, she is remembered as a trailblazer for women in French cinema and a beloved cultural icon.