Pathetic Facts

French actresses who deceased in 2008

Here are 8 famous actresses from France died in 2008:

Lilyan Chauvin

Lilyan Chauvin (August 6, 1925 Paris-June 26, 2008 Studio City) also known as Lilyan Zemoz was a French actor, television show host, film director, writer, teacher, author and film producer.

She began her acting career in France and later moved to the United States in the 1950s, where she continued to act in film and television. Chauvin is best known for her roles in movies such as "Silent Night, Deadly Night" and "Catch Me If You Can." She also appeared on popular television shows like "The Twilight Zone," "Punky Brewster," and "Miami Vice." In addition to her work in acting, Chauvin was also a successful director, writer and producer. She directed and produced a number of short films throughout her career, many of which earned critical acclaim on the film festival circuit. Chauvin was also a teacher and author and wrote several books, including a memoir about her experiences as an actor in Hollywood. She passed away in 2008 at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy as a multi-talented artist and contributor to the entertainment industry.

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Marie-Françoise Audollent

Marie-Françoise Audollent (May 22, 1943 Clermont-Ferrand-March 30, 2008 Lyon) a.k.a. Marie Françoise Audollent was a French actor.

She started her career as a model and later transitioned into acting. Audollent appeared in several French films and television shows throughout the 1960s and 70s. She also performed on stage at the Comédie-Française in Paris. Despite her success in acting, Audollent eventually moved away from the industry and pursued a career as a writer. She authored several books, including a memoir about her time in the entertainment industry titled "Jeune Fille Modèle" (Model Girl). Audollent passed away in 2008 at the age of 64.

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.

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Geneviève Sorya

Geneviève Sorya (June 23, 1912 Paris-March 23, 2008 Paris) also known as Genevieve Sorya or Geneviève Marie Thérèse Durand was a French actor. Her child is called Anouk Aimée.

Sorya began her career as a stage actor in the 1930s and went on to become a celebrated figure of French cinema. She appeared in over 30 films throughout her career, including "Eclipse" (1962) and "La Dolce Vita" (1960) which earned her international recognition. Despite her success, Sorya remained largely private and avoided the spotlight. In addition to her work in film, Sorya also co-founded the Théâtre de l'Atelier, a renowned Parisian theatre company in 1948. She was recognized for her contributions to French arts and culture and was named a commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in 1986. Sorya passed away in 2008 at the age of 95.

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Christine Carère

Christine Carère (July 27, 1930 Dijon-December 13, 2008 Fréjus) a.k.a. Christiane Elisabeth Jeanne Marie Pelleterat de Borde, Christine Carrère or Christine Carere was a French actor, writer and screenwriter.

She first gained attention in the 1950s for her roles in French films such as "Les As des As" and "Les Grandes Manoeuvres". Carère also appeared in several international productions including "The Vikings" with Kirk Douglas and "The Big Circus" with Victor Mature. In addition to her acting career, she published multiple novels and screenplays. Later in life, she worked as a script doctor for French television programs. Carère passed away in 2008 at the age of 78 in Fréjus, France.

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Françoise Seigner

Françoise Seigner (April 7, 1928 Paris-October 13, 2008 Paris) a.k.a. Francoise Seigner was a French actor.

She was born in a family of artists; her father was a playwright and her mother was a stage actress. Seigner started her acting career in the 1940s in French cinema, and she quickly became known for her roles in dramatic films. She acted in several films by director Jean-Pierre Melville, including "Les Enfants Terribles" (1950), "Bob le flambeur" (1956), and "Léon Morin, Priest" (1961).

Seigner was also known for her work in the theatre, and she collaborated with many renowned directors, including Jean Vilar, Peter Brook, and Robert Hossein. In addition to her acting career, Seigner was also a translator and wrote books about her experiences in the theatre.

Seigner was the mother of three children, including the actors Mathilde Seigner and Louis Garrel. She passed away in Paris in 2008 at the age of 80.

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Marpessa Dawn

Marpessa Dawn (January 3, 1934 Pittsburgh-August 25, 2008 Paris) a.k.a. Gypsy Marpessa Dawn Menor was a French actor, singer and dancer.

She is best known for her roles in two classic films: as Eurydice in the 1959 film "Black Orpheus," which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and as Maggie in the 1961 film "The Guns of Navarone."

Dawn was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Los Angeles, California. Her mother was African-American and Cherokee, while her father was from Grenada. She began dancing at a young age and eventually became a member of the Lester Horton Dance Theater.

After appearing in "Black Orpheus," Dawn moved to Europe and continued her career as an actor, dancer, and singer. She performed in nightclubs and recorded several albums of jazz and blues music. She also appeared in films such as "Too Late Blues" (1961) and "The Reluctant Saint" (1962).

In addition to her performing career, Dawn was also an activist and a supporter of the civil rights movement. She was involved in various political causes throughout her life, including supporting the Black Panthers in the 1960s and advocating for Palestinian rights in the 1980s.

Dawn passed away in Paris in 2008 at the age of 74. She is remembered for her trailblazing career and her dedication to social justice causes.

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Katoucha Niane

Katoucha Niane (October 23, 1960 Conakry-February 2, 2008 Paris) a.k.a. Katoucha, The Peul Princess or The Black Princess was a French model and actor. She had one child, Amy Niane.

Katoucha Niane was born in Guinea and raised in Mali. She was one of the few African models to achieve success in the Western fashion industry during the 1980s and 1990s. She worked for many prestigious fashion brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Lacroix, and Chanel. In 1994, she retired from modeling and wrote a memoir "Katoucha: In My Flesh" which spoke about her personal experiences with female genital mutilation, a practice that is still common in some parts of Africa. After her retirement, Katoucha became an advocate for the fight against female genital mutilation and worked with organizations such as the United Nations to end the practice. Sadly, she was reported missing in January 2008 and her body was found in the Seine River in February 2008. The cause of her death was ruled as accidental drowning.

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