Brigitte Bardot

Born: Paris, France, September 28, 1934

Died: Saint-Tropez, France, January 23, 2025

Height: 5' 7" (1.70 m)

Brigitte Bardot is the pre-eminent actress from 20th century French cinema. Yes, Binoche may have the Oscar, Huppert the handle on all things chicly obscure in French film, and Deneuve the longevity, but none has fame enough to be known by her initials only. That says it all really.

Furthermore, for one who achieved such iconic status, Bardot used her fame far more bravely than anyone else in her position. She said things that were not politically correct but which many agreed with. She took the consequences alone and deserves praise for that, before we even consider her tireless campaigning for animal welfare through the Fondation Brigitte Bardot.

Nowhere in history have animals had such a potent campaigner who gave every part, every breath and fibre, of her being to their plight, giving a strong voice to their silence in the face of mankind's cruelty. The love she gave to their cause was as unconditional as an animal's love, and there was no-one else in her position who gave even a fraction of what B.B. did.

There will never be another like her. And she was a damn fine actress to boot!

Born on September 28, 1934, in Paris, she was the daughter of a wealthy industrialist. While studying ballet, she was approached to begin modeling, and by 1950 her image had graced the cover of Elle magazine. There she was spotted by director Marc Allégret, who had earlier discovered Simone Simon.

Soon Allégret's assistant, Roger Vadim, contacted Bardot for a role. While Allégret did not cast the young model, Vadim became immediately smitten by her pouty sensuality, and in 1952 he became her husband. That same year, Bardot made her film debut in Jean Boyer's comedy Le Trou Normand.

After traveling to Britain to appear in 1955's Doctor at Sea, Bardot returned to France for her first starring role. While still largely unknown, she soon enjoyed a string of hits that positioned her as France's top sex symbol by 1957.

Producer Raoul J. Levy offered Vadim the opportunity to direct his wife in Et Dieu Créa la Femme (And God Created Woman), an erotic melodrama co-starring Jean-Louis Trintignant. The film made Bardot an international star, earning over four million dollars in the U.S. alone. Unfortunately, her marriage to Vadim did not last, although their careers remained intertwined for years.

Bardot's popularity with American audiences was unprecedented for a non-English speaking actress. After filming Henri-Georges Clouzot's La Vérité, Bardot attempted suicide on her 26th birthday. After production resumed, the completed film became France's top moneymaker for the year.

In 1960, Bardot released a pop music album, Inside Brigitte Bardot. Several other LPs followed, and she scored hit singles with the infamous singer/songwriter Serge Gainsbourg.

She next starred with Marcello Mastroianni in Louis Malle's La Vie Privée, delivering a clearly autobiographical turn as a young celebrity unable to cope with the pressures of stardom. She was quickly coerced out of retirement to star in Jean-Luc Godard's brilliant Le Mépris (Contempt). While today recognized as a classic, at the time it received mixed reviews.

After making an American film, 1964's family comedy Dear Brigitte (with just one scene), Bardot began work on Malle's comedy Viva Maria!, which paired her opposite Jeanne Moreau.

At the age of 39, in 1973, Bardot retired from acting and became involved with various animal rights causes. This led to the founding of the Fondation Brigitte Bardot, dedicated to animal rights.

In later years she became something of a recluse but continued to make occasional headlines through her ardent support of animal causes. She remained outspoken on controversial topics throughout her life, never afraid to voice her opinions regardless of public reaction.

Selected Filmography:

• Le Trou Normand (Crazy for Love, 1952)
• Manina, La Fille Sans Voile (1952)
• Helen of Troy (1955)
• Doctor at Sea (1955)
• Les Grandes Manoeuvres (1955)
• Et Dieu Créa la Femme (And God Created Woman, 1956)
• Une Parisienne (1957)
• En Cas de Malheur (In Case of Adversity, 1958)
• Voulez-Vous Danser Avec Moi? (Come Dance With Me!, 1959)
• Babette S'En va-T-En Guerre (Babette Goes To War, 1959)
• La Vérité (The Truth, 1960)
• Vie Privée (Private Life, 1962)
• Le Mépris (Contempt, 1963)
• Une Ravissante Idiote (A Ravishing Idiot, 1964)
• Dear Brigitte (1965)
• Viva Maria! (1965)
• Don Juan (1973)
• L'Histoire Très Bonne et Très Joyeuse de Colinot Trousse-Chemise (1973)

Support Animal Rights: Learn more about Brigitte Bardot's legacy of compassion at the Fondation Brigitte Bardot