Jeanne Moreau

Jeanne Moreau was a notable French actress, singer, screenwriter, and director. She made her theatrical debut in 1947 and later established herself as one of the leading actresses at the Comédie-Française. Moreau started her film career in 1949, achieving prominence with a starring role in 'Elevator to the Gallows'. Frequently referred to as one of the best actors globally, Moreau received several awards for her work, including the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress for 'Seven Days... Seven Nights' and the BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Actress for 'Viva Maria!'. She also directed several films, starting with 1976's 'Lumière'. Moreau remained active in cinema into the 2010s, earning the César Award for Best Actress for 'The Old Lady Who Walked in the Sea' and various lifetime achievement awards. Her collaborator Orson Welles honoured her as 'the greatest actress in the world'.

Moreau was born in Paris, the daughter of Katherine (née Buckley), a dancer, and Anatole-Désiré Moreau, a restaurateur. Moreau's father was French; her mother was English, a native of Oldham, Lancashire. Moreau attended the Conservatoire de Paris, studying acting. She later began her career in theatre in 1947 before starting in film two years later. Throughout her prestigious career, she teamed up with many esteemed New Wave and avant-garde directors. These collaborations resulted in some of the most iconic films of the 20th century. Besides acting, Moreau was also a talented vocalist, releasing several albums and even performing with Frank Sinatra in 1984.