Stéphane Audran

Stéphane Audran, originally named Colette Suzanne Jeannine Dacheville, was a respected French film actress born on November 8, 1932 in Versailles, Seine-et-Oise, France. She was famously known for her performances in her husband Claude Chabrol's film works, including outstanding movies like 'Les Biches' (1968), and 'Le Boucher' (1970). She also starred in other film director's works such as Luis Buñuel's 'The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie' (1972), and Gabriel Axel's 'Babette's Feast' (1987). The role most commonly associated with Audran was of a haughty bourgeois woman. Audran began her career on stage and made her film debut in the 1957 short film 'Le jeu de la nuit'. She got wider recognition after her collaboration with director Chabrol, starting with 'Les Cousins' (1959). They made a mammoth 25 films together. Audran's poignant performances in Chabrol's films earned her accolades; she won the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 18th Berlin International Film Festival, and the César Award for Best Supporting Actress for 'Violette Nozière' (1978). Her work also extended to TV productions including 'Brideshead Revisited' (1981) and 'The Sun Also Rises' (1984). Audran passed away after a long illness on March 27, 2018 at the age of 85.