Léonie Juliana, Baroness Cooreman (16 June 1928 – 4 September 2020), also known by her

stage name A stage name is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. Such professional aliases are adopted for a wide variety of reasons and they may be similar, or nearly identical, to an individu ...

Annie Cordy, was a Belgian actress and singer. She appeared in more than 50 films from 1954 and staged many memorable appearances at

Bruno Coquatrix Bruno Coquatrix (5 August 1910, Ronchin, Nord – 1 April 1979) was a French music producer, the owner and manager of the Olympia Hall in Paris from 1954 until his death in 1979. Career Coquatrix was first known as a song and music writer. He ...

' famous

Paris Olympia The Olympia (; commonly known as L'Olympia or in the English-speaking world as Olympia Hall) is a concert venue in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, France, located at 28 Boulevard des Capucines, equally distancing Madeleine church and Opéra G ...

. Her version of ''" La Ballade de Davy Crockett"'' was number 1 in the charts for five weeks in France in August 1956. She was born in

Laeken () or () is a residential suburb in the north-western part of the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium. It belongs to the List of municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, municipality of the City of Brussels and is mostly identified by the ...

, Belgium, where in 2004,

King Albert II of Belgium , house = Belgium , father = Leopold III of Belgium , mother = Astrid of Sweden , birth_date = , birth_place = Stuyvenberg Castle, Laeken, Brussels, Belgium , death_date = , death_place = , signature = Albert II of Belgium Signa ...

bestowed upon her the title of

Baroness Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often Hereditary title, hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher th ...

in recognition for her life's achievements.

Early life

Cordy was born in Laeken, Belgium, the daughter of Maria de Leeuw and Cornelius January Cooreman. She had a brother, Louis, and a sister, Jeanne. At the age of eight, her mother enrolled her in a dance class. She learnt piano and

music theory Music theory is the study of the practices and possibilities of music. ''The Oxford Companion to Music'' describes three interrelated uses of the term "music theory". The first is the "rudiments", that are needed to understand music notation (ke ...

, while pursuing her studies, and participated in charity galas. Between the dance numbers, she sang the hits of the day. Artistic director of

Le Lido Le Lido is a cabaret and burlesque show located on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, France. It opened in 1946 at 78 Avenue des Champs-Élysées and moved to its current location in 1977. It is known for its exotic shows including dancers, singers ...

encouraged her to leave

Brussels Brussels (french: Bruxelles or ; nl, Brussel ), officially the Brussels-Capital Region (All text and all but one graphic show the English name as Brussels-Capital Region.) (french: link=no, Région de Bruxelles-Capitale; nl, link=no, Bruss ...

, her hometown, and Annie Cordy arrived in Paris on 1 May 1950, to be hired as a lead dancer.

1952–1960

Cordy recorded her first songs in 1952
Les Trois Bandits de Napoli
,

,

) and made her debut in the musical, "La Route fleurie", alongside

Georges Guétary Georges Guétary (), born Lambros Vorloou ( el, Λάμπρος Βορλόου ; February 8, 1915 – September 13, 1997) was a French singer, dancer, cabaret performer and film actor, best known for his role in the 1951 musical ''An American ...

and

Bourvil André Robert Raimbourg (; 27 July 1917 – 23 September 1970), better known as André Bourvil (), and mononymously as Bourvil, was a French actor and singer best known for his roles in comedy films, most notably in his collaboration with Louis ...

. This lasted until 1955. Then she made her film debut in 1953 when she appeared as herself in ''

Boum sur Paris ''Boum sur Paris'', is a French comedy film from 1953, directed by Maurice de Canonge. Plot In the early 1950s, the popular radio program "La Kermesse aux Étoiles", hosted by the famous Jean Nohain, mixing lottery games and performances of va ...

'', next to

Jacques Pills Jacques Pills (born René Jacques Ducos; 7 January 1906, Tulle, France – 12 September 1970) was a French singer and actor. His impresario was Bruno Coquatrix. In 1959, Pills was the Monegasque entrant at the Eurovision Song Contest 1959 wit ...

and

Armand Bernard Armand Bernard (born Armand Joseph Bernard; 21 March 1893 – 13 June 1968) was a French comic actor and composer known mainly for his prolific work in film. Selected filmography * '' Le traitement du hoquet'' (1918) * '' The Little Cafe ...

. That same year, she had her first hit record with "Bonbons, caramels, esquimaux, chocolats" or "Léon". In 1954 she starred in

April Fools' Day April Fools' Day or All Fools' Day is an annual custom on 1 April consisting of practical jokes and hoaxes. Jokesters often expose their actions by shouting "April Fools!" at the recipient. Mass media can be involved in these pranks, which may ...

as Charlotte Dupuy, alongside her friend

Louis de Funès Louis Germain David de Funès de Galarza (; 31 July 1914 – 27 January 1983) was a French actor and comedian. He is France's favourite actor, according to a series of polls conducted since the late 1960s, having played over 150 roles in fil ...

Denise Grey Denise Grey (born Édouardine Verthuy; 17 September 1896 – 13 January 1996) was an Italian-born actress who became a naturalized French citizen. Biography Édouardine Grey was born in Châtillon in the Aosta Valley of north-west Italy, clos ...

, and

Maurice Biraud Maurice Biraud (3 March 1922 – 24 December 1982) was a French film actor. He appeared in 90 films between 1951 and 1982. Biraud was born on 3 March 1922 in Paris. He married actress Françoise Soulié in 1956. He died on 24 December 1982 i ...

. The film was a big success with almost three million ticket sales. She also played Madame Langlois in Sacha Guitry's

Royal Affairs in Versailles ''Royal Affairs in Versailles'' (French title: ''Si Versailles m'était conté'') is a 1954 French-Italian historical drama directed by Sacha Guitry. Described as "a historical film showing Versailles from its beginnings to the present day", it ...

, with

Michel Auclair Michel Auclair (born Vladimir Vujović, sr-cyr, Владимир Вујовић; 14 September 1922 – 7 January 1988) was an actor of Serbian and French ancestry, known best for his roles in French cinema. Auclair was born to a Serbian fathe ...

Jean-Pierre Aumont Jean-Pierre Aumont (born Jean-Pierre Philippe Salomons; 5 January 1911 – 30 January 2001) was a French actor, and holder of the Légion d'Honneur and the Croix de guerre 1939–1945, Croix de Guerre for his World War II military service. Ea ...

Jean-Louis Barrault Jean-Louis Bernard Barrault (; 8 September 1910 – 22 January 1994) was a French actor, director and mime artist who worked on both screen and stage. Biography Barrault was born in Le Vésinet in France in 1910. His father was 'a Burgundia ...

Gino Cervi Luigi Cervi (3 May 1901 – 3 January 1974), better known as Gino Cervi (), was an Italian actor. He was best known for portraying Peppone in a series of comedies based on the character ''Don Camillo'' (1952-1965), and police detective Jules M ...

Claudette Colbert Claudette Colbert ( ; born Émilie Claudette Chauchoin; September 13, 1903July 30, 1996) was an American actress. Colbert began her career in Broadway productions during the late 1920s and progressed to films with the advent of talking pictures ...

Nicole Courcel Nicole Marie Jeanne Andrieu (21 October 1931 – 25 June 2016), better known as Nicole Courcel, was a French actress who achieved popularity through the 1950s and 1960s, though she is mostly unknown outside of France. Born in Saint-Cloud, in ...

Daniel Gélin Daniel Yves Alfred Gélin (19 May 1921 – 29 November 2002) was a French film and television actor. Early life Gélin was born in Angers, Maine-et-Loire, the son of Yvonne (née Le Méner) and Alfred Ernest Joseph Gélin. When he was ten, ...

Jean Marais Jean-Alfred Villain-Marais (11 December 1913 – 8 November 1998), known professionally as Jean Marais (), was a French actor, film director, theatre director, painter, sculptor, visual artist, writer and photographer. He performed in over 100 f ...

Gisèle Pascal Gisèle Pascal (17 September 1921 – 2 February 2007) was a French actress and a former lover of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco. She was born Gisèle Marie Madeleine Tallone at Cannes, France. Her first movie role was in 1942's '' L'Arl� ...

Édith Piaf Édith Piaf (, , ; born Édith Giovanna Gassion, ; December 19, 1915– October 10, 1963) was a French singer, lyricist and actress. Noted as France's national chanteuse, she was one of the country's most widely known international stars. Pia ...

Gérard Philipe Gérard Philipe (born Gérard Albert Philip, 4 December 1922 – 25 November 1959) was a prominent French actor who appeared in 32 films between 1944 and 1959. Active in both theatre and cinema, he was, until his early death, one of the main ...

Micheline Presle Micheline Presle (; born Micheline Nicole Julia Émilienne Chassagne; 22 August 1922) is a French actress. She was sometimes billed as Micheline Prelle. Starting in 1939, she starred in over 50 French and English language films that were made in H ...

Tino Rossi Constantin "Tino" Rossi (29 April 1907 – 26 September 1983) was a French singer and film actor of Corsican origin. Born in Ajaccio, Corsica, Rossi was gifted with a voice well suited for opera. He became a tenor in the French cabaret style. ...

Orson Welles George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his innovative work in film, radio and theatre. He is considered to be among the greatest and most influential f ...

, and

Nicole Maurey Nicole Maurey (20 December 1925 – 11 March 2016) was a French actress, who appeared in 65 film and television productions between 1945 and 1997. Life and career Born in Bois-Colombes, a northwestern suburb of Paris, Maurey was originally ...

. The film was the #1 movie in France in 1954. It is still one of the 100 most successful films at the French box office of all time, the 89th highest grossing title. In 1955 her song "Fleur de Papillon" became a hit. She also starred in two motion pictures. First,

Hello Smile ! ''Hello Smile !'' or ''Bonjour sourire'', is a French comedy film from 1956, directed by Claude Sautet, written by Jean Marsan, starring Henri Salvador and Louis de Funès. The film is known under the titles "Die tolle Residenz" (West Germany), ...

directed by

Claude Sautet Claude Sautet (23 February 1924 – 22 July 2000) was a French film director and screenwriter. He was a chronicler of post-war French society. He made a total of five films with his favorite actress Romy Schneider. Biography Born in Montroug ...

, with

Henri Salvador Henri Salvador (18 July 1917 – 13 February 2008) was a French Caribbean comedian, singer and cabaret artist. Biography Salvador was born in Cayenne, French Guiana. His father, Clovis, and his mother, Antonine Paterne, daughter of a native Ca ...

Darry Cowl Darry Cowl (born André Darricau; 27 August 1925 – 14 February 2006) was a French comedian, actor and musician. He won a César Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 2004 for his role as a concierge in '' Pas sur la bouche'' (''Not on ...

and

Jean Carmet Jean Carmet (25 April 1920 – 20 April 1994) was a French actor. Life and career Jean Carmet began working on stage and then in film in the early 1940s becoming a very popular comedic actor in his native country. He is best known internatio ...

and an Italian comedy,

Beautiful but Dangerous ''Beautiful But Dangerous'' (also released as ''La donna più bella del mondo''/ ''The World's Most Beautiful Woman'') is a 1956 French-Italian comedy drama romance film directed by Robert Z. Leonard. The picture is a biopic about Italian opera ...

, in which she just made a short appearance. In 1956 she starred as Cri-Cri in

Le Chanteur de Mexico ''The Singer from Mexico'' (French: ''Le Chanteur de Mexico'') is a French-Spanish musical film directed by Richard Pottier starring Luis Mariano and Bourvil, released in 1957. It was a screen version of Francis Lopez's operetta that premiered ...

, directed by

Richard Pottier Richard Pottier (6 June 1906, Graz – 2 November 1994, Le Plessis-Bouchard) was an Austrian-born French film director. He was born in the Austro-Hungarian Empire as Ernst Deutsch. Selected filmography * ''A Rare Bird'' (1935) * ''Fanfare of Love' ...

, with

Luis Mariano Luis Mariano Eusebio González García (13 August 1914 – 14 July 1970), also known as Luis Mariano, was a popular tenor of Spanish origin who achieved celebrity in 1946 with "La belle de Cadix" ("The Beautiful Lady of Cadix") an operetta by ...

, and

Fernando Rey Fernando Casado Arambillet (La Coruña (Spain), 20 September 1917 – Madrid (Spain), 9 March 1994), best known as Fernando Rey, was a Spanish film, theatre, and television actor, who worked in both Europe and the United States. A suave, i ...

. The film was again a big success, with almost 5,000,000 tickets sold, and it was #5 at the box office for 1956 and #247 of all time in France.
At the same time she had a hit on the song charts with the French version of

The Ballad of Davy Crockett "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" is a song with music by George Bruns and lyrics by Thomas W. Blackburn. It was introduced on ABC's television series ''Disneyland'', in the premiere episode of October 27, 1954. Fess Parker is shown performing the ...

, which stayed at number 1 for 5 weeks in

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

in August 1956. In 1957 she played Titine in a West German remake of ''

Victor and Victoria ''Victor and Victoria'' (german: Viktor und Viktoria) is a 1933 German Musical film, musical comedy film written and directed by Reinhold Schünzel, starring Renate Müller as a woman pretending to be a female impersonator. The following year, S ...

'', directed by

Karl Anton Karl Anton or Karel Anton (25 October 1898 12 April 1979) was a Bohemian-born German film director, screenwriter and film producer. Biography He was born in Prague on 25 October 1898. His father Wilhelm Anton (1861–1918) was a physician. An ...

. That same year, she starred in her second

musical Musical is the adjective of music. Musical may also refer to: * Musical theatre, a performance art that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance * Musical film and television, a genre of film and television that incorporates into the narr ...

, "Tête de linotte" with Jean Richard which lasted until 1960. In 1958 she had other

hits, such as "Hello le soleil brille" from the movie

The Bridge on the River Kwai ''The Bridge on the River Kwai'' is a 1957 epic war film directed by David Lean and based on the 1952 novel written by Pierre Boulle. Although the film uses the historical setting of the construction of the Burma Railway in 1942–1943, the pl ...

or "Docteur miracle". She returned to

Tabarin Tabarin was the street name assumed by the most famous of the Parisian street charlatans, Anthoine Girard (c. 1584 – August 16, 1633), who amused his audiences in the Place Dauphine by farcical dialogue with his brother Philippe (as Mondo ...

, where she played Mimi under the direction of

for the second time. This was the leading role, and she starred alongside

Michel Piccoli Jacques Daniel Michel Piccoli (27 December 1925 – 12 May 2020) was a French actor, producer and film director with a career spanning 70 years. He was lauded as one of the greatest French character actors of his generation who played a wide vari ...

Sylvia Lopez Sylvia Lopez (November 10, 1933 – November 20, 1959) was a French model and actress. Career as a model Born Tatjana Bernt, she was raised in Paris, where she began a career in modelling. Eventually she modeled for couturier Jacques Fath, ...

Mischa Auer Mischa Auer (born Mikhail Semyonovich Unkovsky (Михаил Семёнович Унковский; 17 November 1905 – 5 March 1967) was a Russians, Russian-born American actor who moved to Hollywood in the late 1920s. He first appeared in fi ...

Germaine Damar Germaine Damar (born August 31, 1929) is a Luxembourger actress and dancer. Sometimes she used the stage name Ria Poncelet. She started her career as an acrobat and played in nearly 30 German films, including three films in which she was the part ...

Jean Lefebvre Jean Marcel Lefebvre (3 October 1919Some sources indicate he was born in 1922. – 9 July 2004) was a French film actor. His erratic studies were interrupted by World War II. Taken prisoner and then requisitioned as a laborer, he escaped to joi ...

, and

Isabelle Corey Isabelle Corey (29 May 1939 – 6 February 2011) was a French actress and model. Corey started modeling in Paris in her teens for magazines such as ''Jardin des Modes'', ''Elle'' and ''Madame Figaro''. She was discovered in the Latin Quarter, wh ...

. In 1959 she had several musical successes, including her version of "

Petite Fleur "Petite Fleur" is an instrumental written by Sidney Bechet and recorded by him in January 1952, first with the Sidney Bechet All Stars and later with Claude Luter and his Orchestra. Chris Barber recording In 1959, it was an international hit as a c ...

", " Salade de fruits" or "Cigarettes, Whisky et P'tites Pépées" from the movie with the same name. She starred in this movie, with Pierre Mondy,

Nadine de Rothschild Nadine de Rothschild (née Nadine Nelly Jeannette Lhopitalier; born 18 April 1932) is a French author and former actress. She is the widow of banker Edmond Adolphe de Rothschild, a member of the Rothschild family. Biography Nadine Lhopitalier ...

, Jean Richard, and

Franco Interlenghi Franco Interlenghi (29 October 1931 – 10 September 2015) was an Italian actor. He made his acting debut at 15 in Vittorio De Sica's 1946 Neorealist film ''Sciuscià''. He has worked with great directors such as Alessandro Blasetti in '' Fab ...

. In 1960 she played in

Robert Vernay Robert Vernay (May 30, 1907 in Paris – October 17, 1979 in Paris) was a French director and screenwriter. Career In 1937, Vernay worked as assistant director to Julien Duvivier on ''Pépé le Moko''. In 1944, Vernay directed an adaptation of ...

's "Tête folle, alongside Jean Richard.

1961–1970

From 1961 to 1964 Cordy starred in her third musical, opposite

, named "Visa pour l'amour" featuring the hit "Visa pour l'amour". In 1964 she sang the hit song "Six Roses". From 1965 to 1967, she had the leading female part in "Ouah ! Ouah !", another musical with

. This

featured the hit "Le p'tit coup de chance".
At the same time, back in cinema, she played Lily in Ces dames s'en mêlent, directed by

Raoul André Raoul André (24 May 1916 in Rabat (Morocco) - 4 November 1992) was a French director and screenwriter, He was married to actress Louise Carletti (December 1955), and he is the father of Ariane Carletti. Filmography * ''The Village of Wrath' ...

, with

Eddie Constantine Eddie Constantine (born Edward Israël Constantinowsky; October 29, 1917 – February 25, 1993) was an American singer, actor and entertainer who spent most of his career in France. He became well-known to film audiences for his portrayal of se ...

and

Nino Ferrer Nino Agostino Arturo Maria Ferrari (), known as Nino Ferrer (15 August 1934 – 13 August 1998), was an Italian-born French singer-songwriter and author. Biography and career Nino Ferrer was born on 15 August 1934 in Genoa, Italy, but lived the ...

. She also made a cameo in "L'or du duc" directed by

Jacques Baratier Jacques Baratier (8 March 1918 – 27 November 2009) was a French film director and screenwriter. He directed 21 films. His film ''Goha'' won the Jury Prize at the 1958 Cannes Film Festival. His 1962 film ''La poupée (film), La poupée'' wa ...

, with

Claude Rich Claude Rich (8 February 1929 – 20 July 2017) was a French stage and screen actor. He began his career in the theater before his film debut in 1955. Personal life He married actress Catherine Renaudin on 26 June 1959. They had two daughters, ...

Danielle Darrieux Danielle Yvonne Marie Antoinette Darrieux (; 1 May 1917 – 17 October 2017) was a French actress of stage, television and film, as well as a singer and dancer. Beginning in 1931, she appeared in more than 110 films. She was one of France's g ...

Elsa Martinelli Elsa Martinelli (born Elisa Tia; 30 January 1935 – 8 July 2017) was an Italian actress and fashion model. Life and career Born Elisa Tia in Grosseto, Tuscany, she moved to Rome with her family. In 1953, she was discovered by Roberto Capuc ...

Pierre Brasseur Pierre Brasseur (22 December 1905 – 16 August 1972), born Pierre-Albert Espinasse, was a French actor. Biography The son of actors Georges Espinasse and Germaine Brasseur, the latter a cousin of Albert Brasseur; his grandfather, Jules Br ...

, Jean Richard, and

Charles Trenet Louis Charles Augustin Georges Trenet (; 18 May 1913 – 19 February 2001) was a renowned French singer-songwriter who composed both the music and the lyrics to nearly a thousand songs over a career that lasted more than 60 years. These include ...

. In 1967, she played Maryse in "Ces messieurs de la famille", directed by

, with

Francis Blanche François Jean Blanche, known as "Francis Blanche" (20 July 1921 – 6 July 1974) was a French actor, singer, humorist and author. He was a very popular figure on stage, radio and in films, during the 1950s and 1960s. Early life Blanche was ...

Michel Serrault Michel Serrault (24 January 1928 – 29 July 2007) was a French stage and film actor who appeared from 1954 until 2007 in more than 130 films. Life and career His first professional job was in a touring production in Germany of Molière's ''Les ...

Jean Poiret Jean Poiret, born Jean Poiré (17 August 1926 – 14 March 1992), was a French actor, director, and screenwriter. He is primarily known as the author of the original play '' La Cage aux Folles''. Early career Poiret was born in Paris, and f ...

Jean Yanne Jean may refer to: People * Jean (female given name) * Jean (male given name) * Jean (surname) Fictional characters * Jean Grey, a Marvel Comics character * Jean Valjean, fictional character in novel ''Les Misérables'' and its adaptations * J ...

Michel Galabru Michel Louis Edmond Galabru (27 October 19224 January 2016) was a French actor. Career Galabru appeared in more than 250 films and worked with directors such as Bertrand Blier, Costa-Gavras, Luc Besson (for '' Subway''), and Jean-Luc Godard. ...

, and

. In 1968 she starred in "Pic et Pioche", a musical with her friend

. In 1969 she played Mme Marthe in "Le bourgeois gentil mec". It was the third time that she was directed by

, and the movie also stars;

, and

Bella Darvi Bella Darvi (born Bajla Węgier; 23 October 1928 – 11 September 1971) was a Polish film actress and stage performer who was active in France and the United States. Biography Early life Darvi was born Bajla Węgier to Jewish parents Chajm ...

. The 1970 year was very successful for Cordy, she worked for the fourth time with

in the movie "Ces messieurs de la gâchette", a sequel of "Ces messieurs de la famille". She signed on for her role as Maryse, and the movie also featured,

Micheline Dax Micheline Dax (3 March 1924 – 27 April 2014) was a French film and stage actress and singer. She did the voice to Ursula in the French dub in Disney's "The Little Mermaid". The Paris-born actress was born Micheline Josette Renée Etevenon. Sh ...

, and

Patrice Laffont Patrice Laffont (born 21 August 1939 in Marseille) is a French television presenter, actor and entertainer. Career During the 1960s Laffont had a passion for acting, where he became a star on stage and screen with his friends Michel Fugain and M ...

.
She also played for

René Clément René Clément (; 18 March 1913 – 17 March 1996) was a French film director and screenwriter. Life and career Clément studied architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts where he developed an interest in filmmaking. In 1936, he directed hi ...

, the role of Juliette in

Rider on the Rain ''Rider on the Rain'' (French: ''Le passager de la pluie'') is a 1970 French mystery film, mystery Thriller (genre), thriller film starring Marlène Jobert and Charles Bronson, directed by René Clément and scripted by Sébastien Japrisot, produc ...

, alongside

Marlène Jobert Marlène Jobert (born 4 November 1940) is a French actress and author. Life and career Jobert was born in Algiers, Algeria, to a Sephardic Jewish and Pied-Noir family, the daughter of Eliane Azulay and Charles Jobert, who served in the French A ...

Charles Bronson Charles Bronson (born Charles Dennis Buchinsky; November 3, 1921 – August 30, 2003) was an American actor. Known for his "granite features and brawny physique," he gained international fame for his starring roles in action, Western, and war ...

Jill Ireland Jill Dorothy Ireland (24 April 1936 – 18 May 1990) was an English actress and singer. She appeared in 16 films with her second husband, Charles Bronson, and was additionally involved in two other of Bronson's films as a producer. Life and ca ...

, and Gabriele Tinti. The movie was a big success, it was the #3 movie at the box-office in 1970, in France.
Also that year, she was also directed by

Claude Chabrol Claude Henri Jean Chabrol (; 24 June 1930 – 12 September 2010) was a French film director and a member of the French New Wave (''nouvelle vague'') group of filmmakers who first came to prominence at the end of the 1950s. Like his colleagues an ...

as Mme. Pinelli in The Breach. She starred alongside

Stéphane Audran Stéphane Audran (born Colette Suzanne Dacheville; 8 November 1932 – 27 March 2018) was a French actress. She was known for her performances in award-winning films such as ''The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie'' (1972) and ''Babette's Feast'' ...

Jean-Pierre Cassel Jean-Pierre Cassel (born Jean-Pierre Crochon; 27 October 1932 – 19 April 2007) was a French actor. Early life Cassel was born Jean-Pierre Crochon in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, the son of Louise-Marguerite (née Fabrègue), an opera si ...

Michel Bouquet Michel Bouquet (6 November 1925 – 13 April 2022) was a French stage and film actor. He appeared in more than 100 films from 1947 to 2020. He won the Best Actor European Film Award for '' Toto the Hero'' in 1991 and two Best Actor Césars fo ...

and

.
On top of all of her success in cinema, she also had a musical hit in the same anum,
Le Chouchou de mon Coeur

1971–1980

In 1971, she played Nelly in

Le Chat ''Le Chat'' ( French for "the cat") was a Belgian daily comic strip, created by Philippe Geluck and published in the newspaper ''Le Soir'' from March 22, 1983, until March 23, 2013. During its run it quickly became one of the bestselling Franc ...

directed by

Pierre Granier-Deferre Pierre Granier-Deferre (27 July 1927 – 16 November 2007) was a French film director and screenwriter His 1971 film ''Le Chat (film), Le Chat'' (The Cat) won the Silver Bear for Best Actor, Best Actor and Silver Bear for Best Actress, B ...

. The film starred also

Jean Gabin Jean Gabin (; 17 May 190415 November 1976) was a French actor and singer. Considered a key figure in French cinema, he starred in several classic films including ''Pépé le Moko'' (1937), ''La grande illusion'' (1937), ''Le Quai des brumes'' ( ...

and

Simone Signoret Simone Signoret (; born Simone Henriette Charlotte Kaminker; 25 March 1921 – 30 September 1985) was a French actress. She received various accolades, including an Academy Award, three BAFTA Awards, a César Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a ...

. The film was very well received with more than one million tickets sold. She also started, this same year a new musical, "Indien vaut mieux que deux tu l'auras", where she starred with

Pierre Doris Pierre Doris (1919–2009) was a French actor and humorist. Selected filmography * ''Comme un cheveu sur la soupe'' (1957) - Le chasseur du 'Néant' * ''Love Is at Stake'' (1957) - Le publiciste * ''Le triporteur'' (1957) - Le voyageur à la de ...

. In 1972, she starred in the titular role of the French version of Hello, Dolly!. She also played Brigitte in "Les galets d'Étretat". The movie is directed by

Sergio Gobbi Sergio Gobbi (born 13 May 1938 in Milan, Italy), born as Sergio Ehrlich, is an Italian-French filmmaker, who was married to Jocelyn Wildenstein.Virna Lisi Verna or Virna may refer to: People * Verna Aardema (1911–2000), American author of children's books * Verna Bloom (1939–2019), American actress * Virna De Angeli (born 1976), Italian former sprinter * Virna Dias (born 1971), Brazilian reti ...

. Then, she played Andrée in "Les portes de feu", alongside

Emmanuelle Riva Emmanuelle Riva (; 24 February 1927 – 27 January 2017) was a French actress, best known for her roles in the films ''Hiroshima mon amour'' (1959) and '' Amour'' (2012). Riva was nominated for a BAFTA Award for her role in ''Hiroshima mon ...

and

Jacques Balutin Jacques Balutin is a French actor.Tre per una grande rapina, with

Michel Constantin Michel Constantin (born Constantin Hokhloff, 13 July 1924 – 29 August 2003) was a French film actor. Biography Born to a Russian father and a Polish mother in Billancourt (near Paris), Constantin made his first film appearance in 1956. Hi ...

and

Adolfo Celi Adolfo Celi (; 27 July 1922 – 19 February 1986) was an Italian film actor and director. Born in Curcuraci, Messina, Sicily, Celi appeared in nearly 100 films, specialising in international villains. Although a prominent actor in Italian ...

. She also played in "La dernière bourrée à Paris", in which she worked for the fifth time with the director

and starred alongside

Roger Coggio Roger Coggio (11 March 1934 – 22 October 2001) was a French actor, film director and screenwriter. He appeared in 40 films between 1954 and 1998. He was married to actress Pascale Audret. He died of cancer. Selected filmography * '' Be ...

Marion Game Marion Game (born 31 July 1942) is a French actress. Filmography References External links

* Living people French film actresses French television actresses 1942 births 20th-century French actresses 21st-century French actresses Peo ...

, and Tony Kendall. She played in "Elle court, elle court la banlieue" directed by

Gérard Pirès Gérard Pirès (born 31 August 1942) is a French film director and writer. Filmography * '' Guo bao zong dong yuan'' (''Adventures in the NPM'') (2007) * '' Les Chevaliers du ciel'' (''Sky Fighters'') (2005) * '' Double zéro'' (2004) * ''Steal' ...

and starring

Marthe Keller Marthe Keller (born 28 January 1945) is a Swiss actress and opera director. She is perhaps best known for her role in the film '' Marathon Man'' (1976), for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. Career Early years Keller studied ba ...

Jacques Higelin Jacques Joseph Victor Higelin (; 18 October 1940 – 6 April 2018) was a French pop singer who rose to prominence in the early 1970s. Early life Higelin was born on 18 October 1940. His father, Paul, a railway worker and musician of Alsatian de ...

Robert Castel Robert Castel (1 August 1933 – 12 March 2013) was a French sociologist and researcher at the École des hautes études en sciences sociales. Academic career Castel was born in Saint-Pierre-Quilbignon, now part of Brest. He initially studi ...

Ginette Leclerc Ginette Leclerc (born Geneviève Lucie Menut; February 9, 1912 – January 2, 1992) was a French film actress. She appeared in nearly 90 films between 1932 and 1978. Her last TV appearance was in 1981. She was born in Ile-de-France, France ...

Claude Piéplu Claude Léon Auguste Piéplu (9 May 1923, Paris–24 May 2006, Paris) was a French theater, film and television actor. He was known for his hoarse and frayed voice. Selected filmography *''D'homme à hommes'' (1948) - (uncredited) *''Le Ro ...

Alice Sapritch Alice Sapritch (29 July 1916 – 24 March 1990) was a French film actress. She appeared in 66 films between 1950 and 1989. Partial filmography * ''Le tampon du capiston'' (1950) - La pharmacienne * ''Le crime du Bouif'' (1952) * ''If Pari ...

Victor Lanoux Victor Lanoux (18 June 1936 – 4 May 2017) was a French actor best known to English speaking audiences for his role as Ludovic in ''Cousin, Cousine''. Biography Victor Lanoux, born Victor Robert Nataf was the son of a Tunisian Jew from Sfax an ...

Daniel Prévost Daniel Prévost (born 20 October 1939) is a French actor, comedian and writer. Early life Daniel Prévost, alias Denis Forestier, was born to Micheline Chevalier and Mohand Ait Salem. His father was of Berber descent from Algeria (Kabylie re ...

Coluche Michel Gérard Joseph Colucci (, ; 28 October 1944 – 19 June 1986), better known under his stage name Coluche (), was a French stage comedian and cinema actor. He adopted ''Coluche'' as a stage name at age 26, when he began his entertainment c ...

Diane Kurys Diane Kurys (; born 3 December 1948) is a French director, producer, filmmaker and actress. Several of her films as director are semi-autobiographical. Personal life Kurys was born in Lyon, Rhône, France, the younger of two daughters. She is a ...

, and

Miou-Miou Sylvette Herry (born 22 February 1950), known professionally as Miou-Miou (), is a French actress. A ten-time César Award nominee, she won the César Award for Best Actress for the 1979 film ''Memoirs of a French Whore''. Her other films inclu ...

. The film was a success with more than a million and a half tickets sold. In 1974, she released

La bonne du curé "La bonne du curé" ("The priest's maid") is a song performed by Belgium, Belgian singer Annie Cordy. The song was written by Charles Level and the music was made by Tony Montoya and Tony Roval. The song was released in France and Belgium on 19 ...

. This song became a classic and is one of her greatest successes with more than two million worldwide. At the same time, she continued to make movies like "Les gaspards", directed by

Pierre Tchernia Pierre Tcherniakowski (29 January 1928 – 8 October 2016), better known as Pierre Tchernia, was a French cinema and television producer, screenwriter, presenter, animator and actor. In France he was known as ''"Magic" Tchernia'' and ''Monsieur Ci ...

and starring

Philippe Noiret Philippe Noiret (; 1 October 1930 – 23 November 2006) was a French film actor. Life and career Noiret was born in Lille, France, the son of Lucy (Heirman) and Pierre Noiret, a clothing company representative. He was an indifferent student and ...

, Charles Denner,

Gérard Depardieu Gérard Xavier Marcel Depardieu, CQ (, , ; born 27 December 1948) is a French actor, filmmaker, businessman and vineyard owner since 1989 who is one of the most prolific thespians in film history having completed over 250 films since 1967 alm ...

Chantal Goya Chantal de Guerre (; born 10 June 1942), known as Chantal Goya (), is a French singer and actress. Goya started her career as a ''yé-yé'' girl, singing a catchy mid-1960s hybrid of girl-group pop and French ''chanson''. She also enjoyed a car ...

, Roger Carel,

Daniel Ivernel Daniel Ivernel (3 June 1920 – 11 November 1999) was a French film actor. He appeared in 50 films between 1947 and 1981. Filmography References External links * 1920 births 1999 deaths French male film actors People from Versai ...

, and

Gérard Hernandez Julio Gerardo "Gérard" Hernandez (born 20 January 1933) is a Spanish-born French actor. Biography Hernandez was born in Valladolid, Spain and was naturalized French only in 1975. He is mostly famous for his mustache and for having voiced seve ...

. She also played Pupa in the Italian movie

Commissariato di notturna ''Commissariato di notturna'' is a 1974 Italian crime-comedy film directed by . It was one of the few films that tried to mix the classical commedia all'italiana with the ''poliziottesco'' genre. Cast *Rosanna Schiaffino: Sonia *Gastone Mosch ...

, directed by and starring

Rosanna Schiaffino Rosanna Schiaffino (25 November 1939 – 17 October 2009) was an Italian film actress. She appeared on the covers of Italian, German, French, British and American magazines. Early life She was born in Genoa, Liguria to a well-off family. Her mot ...

Gastone Moschin Gastone Moschin (8 June 1929 – 4 September 2017) was an Italian stage, television and film actor. Career Born in San Giovanni Lupatoto (Veneto), Moschin graduated from the Accademia Nazionale di Arte Drammatica Silvio D'Amico and then began hi ...

George Ardisson Giorgio Ardisson, best known as George Ardisson (31 December 1931 – 11 December 2014), was an Italian actor. Life and career Born in Turin, Ardisson debuted in a minor role in Mauro Bolognini's 1959 film ''Arrangiatevi!''. After several ...

Emma Danieli Emma Danieli (born Emma Fretta; 14 October 1936 – 21 June 1998) was an Italian actress and television personality. Life and career Born in Curtatone, Mantua, Danieli started her career at very young age as an actress of commercials. After win ...

Giacomo Furia Giacomo Matteo Furia (2 January 1925 – 5 June 2015) was an Italian film, television and stage actor. He appeared in more than 130 films between 1948 and 1998. Life and career Born in Arienzo, near Caserta, Furia started his acting career ...

Gisela Hahn Gisela Hahn (born ''Gisela Drenkhan''; 13 May 1943) is a German film actress. She has appeared in more than 40 films since 1964. She was born in Briesen. Selected filmography * ''The Merry Wives of Tyrol'' (1964) - Reni * ''In Bed by Eight'' ...

Leopoldo Trieste Leopoldo Trieste (3 May 1917 – 25 January 2003) was an Italian actor, film director and script writer. Trieste was born in Reggio Calabria. He worked with directors such as Pietro Germi, Francis Ford Coppola, Giuseppe Tornatore, Mario Bava, ...

Maurice Ronet Maurice Ronet (13 April 1927 – 14 March 1983) was a French film actor, director, and writer. Early life Maurice Ronet was born Maurice Julien Marie Robinet in Nice, Alpes Maritimes. He was the only child of professional stage actors Émile Ro ...

Luciano Salce Luciano Salce (25 September 1922 – 17 December 1989) was an Italian film director, comedian, tv host, producer, actor and lyricist. His 1962 film ''Le pillole di Ercole'' was shown as part of a retrospective on Italian comedy at the 67th Ve ...

Carlo Giuffré Carlo is a given name. It is an Italian form of Charles. It can refer to: *Carlo (name) *Monte Carlo *Carlingford, New South Wales, a suburb in north-west Sydney, New South Wales, Australia *A satirical song written by Dafydd Iwan about Prince Char ...

Aldo Bufi Landi Aldo Bufi Landi (7 April 1923 – 2 February 2016) was an Italian film actor. He appeared in more than 100 films between 1947 and 2013. Selected filmography * '' Malaspina'' (1947) * '' Madunnella'' (1948) * '' Assunta Spina'' (1948) * ''L ...

Michele Gammino Michele Gammino (born 16 June 1941) is an Italian actor, voice actor and television presenter. Career Born in Rome to parents who originated from Palermo, Gammino began his career during the early 1970s. For his work on Italian television, Gammino ...

Nerina Montagnani Nerina Montagnani (20 April 1897 – 4 November 1993) was an Italian character actress. Life and career Born in Maranello, Modena, Montagnani graduated as a teacher. Starting in 1918 she worked as a governess and a gardener in many noble hous ...

Lorenzo Piani Lorenzo Piattoni (27 September 1955 – 14 August 2016), known professionally as Lorenzo Piani, was an Italian singer and songwriter. Biography After studying classical piano at the Rossini Conservatory in Pesaro, he released a single. As a musi ...

Luciano Rossi Luciano Rossi (28 November 1934 – 29 May 2005) was an Italian film actor. He appeared in 67 films between 1966 and 1987. He was born and died in Rome, Italy. Partial filmography * ''Ten Italians for One German'' (1962) - German Soldier ...

Bruno Scipioni Bruno Scipioni (29 July 1934 – 5 December 2019) was an Italian actor and voice actor. Biography Born in Rome, Scipioni graduated in accountancy and then, in 1958, he attended the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia. He started his film car ...

, and

Alfredo Varelli Alfredo Varelli (born Alfredo Ciavarella, 31 August 1914, date of death unknown) was an Italian film actor whose career spanned more than six decades. Varelli was born ''Alfredo Ciavarella'' and debuted in Alessandro Blasetti's 1934 film ''Vecch ...

. In 1975, she starred in the leading role of Souvenir of Gibraltar, directed by

Henri Xhonneux Henri Xhonneux (12 June 1945 – 24 March 1995) was a Belgian film director and screenwriter. He directed five films between 1970 and 1989. His 1975 film '' Souvenir of Gibraltar'' was entered into the 9th Moscow International Film Festiv ...

, also starring

. In addition she played Isabelle's mother in "Isabelle devant le désir", starring

Jean Rochefort Jean Raoul Robert Rochefort (; 29 April 1930 – 9 October 2017) was a French actor. He received many accolades during his career, including an Honorary César in 1999. Life and career Rochefort was born on 29 April 1930 in Paris, France, to ...

Anicée Alvina Anicée Alvina, also known as Anicée Schahmaneche (born Anicée Shahmanesh or Anicee Schahmane ( fa, انیسه شاهمنش; 28 January 1953 – 11 November 2006) was a French singer and actress. Early life and career Alvina was born at Boulog ...

, and

Mathieu Carrière Mathieu Carrière (; born 2 August 1950) is a German actor. Life Carrière grew up in Berlin and Lübeck; he attended the Jesuit boarding school in Vannes, France, a school which had previously been attended by the director of Carrière's firs ...

. This same year, she also had several musical hits : "Ya kasiti", "Jane la tarzane", and one of her most famous hits, "Frida Oum Papa". In 1976, she returned to a musicals in a production named "Nini la chance". In this undertaking she had the lead part and in what turned out to be a huge success. This musical produced a hit for Cordy with song with the musical's title for its name, ''Nini la Chance''. Outside of Nini, Cordy, had other hits this same year with "La Bébête", "Dis pourquoi tu me bats Léon", and "Ca ira mieux demain", which became a cult favourite. She starred in

High Street High Street is a common street name for the primary business street of a city, town, or village, especially in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. It implies that it is the focal point for business, especially shopping. It is also a metonym fo ...

, a movie directed by André Ernotte in which she had the leading part. In this film she played alongside

Mort Shuman Mortimer Shuman (12 November 1938 – 2 November 1991) was an American singer, pianist and songwriter, best known as co-writer of many 1960s rock and roll hits, including "Viva Las Vegas". He also wrote and sang many songs in French, such as ...

and

Elliot Tiber Elliot Michael Tiber (born Eliyahu Teichberg; April 15, 1935 – August 3, 2016) was an artist, professor, and screenwriter who wrote a memoir about the Woodstock Festival held in Bethel, New York in 1969. He claimed responsibility for the relocat ...

. In 1977, she played the Baronne Jacinthe de la Tronchembiais, in the first and only movie directed by

Guy Lux Guy Maurice Lux (21 June 1919 – 13 June 2003) was a French TV host and producer best known for his 1961 creation of the game show ''Intervilles'' and its numerous spinoffs. During his 40 year career, he produced, directed, hosted, and wrote ...

, Drôles de zèbres. The movie also starred Sim,

, Patrick Préjean,

Raymond Bussières Raymond Bussières (3 November 1907 – 29 April 1982) was a French film actor. He appeared in more than 160 films between 1933 and 1982. He was born in Ivry-la-Bataille and died in Paris. He is buried in Marchenoir. He was married to the ac ...

Katia Tchenko Katia Tchenko (born 8 May 1947) is a French actress. She has appeared in more than 100 films and television shows since 1967. In 1999 she was a member of the jury at the 21st Moscow International Film Festival The 21st Moscow International ...

Léon Zitrone Léon Zitrone (25 November 1914 – 25 November 1995) was a Russian-born French journalist and television presenter. Biography Zitrone was born in Petrograd, Russia. He arrived in France with his family fleeing communism at the age of six. H ...

Petula Clark Petula Sally Olwen Clark, CBE (born 15 November 1932) is an English singer, actress, and composer. She has one of the longest serving careers of a British singer, spanning more than seven decades. Clark's professional career began during the ...

, and

Claude François Claude Antoine Marie François (; 1 February 1939 – 11 March 1978), also known by the nickname Cloclo, was a French pop singer, composer, songwriter, record producer, drummer and dancer. François co-wrote the lyrics of "Comme d'habitude" (c ...

. The director and writer

Michel Audiard Paul Michel Audiard (; 15 May 1920 – 27 July 1985) was a French screenwriter and film director, known for his witty, irreverent and slang-laden dialogues which made him a prominent figure on the French cultural scene of the 1960s and 1970s. He ...

said about Cordy that he was sorry she had to sing crappy songs, because she did an impressive duet with

, he thought her a wonderful blues singer and a great actress and she deserved to sing a way better song. In 1978, she released another musical hit which became a classic, "Qui qu'en veut". This same year, she made her first television movie. First, she played in "Le bel indifférent" from

Jean Cocteau Jean Maurice Eugène Clément Cocteau (, , ; 5 July 1889 – 11 October 1963) was a French poet, playwright, novelist, designer, filmmaker, visual artist and critic. He was one of the foremost creatives of the su ...

's play, starring alongside

Alain Delon Alain Fabien Maurice Marcel Delon (; born 8 November 1935) is a French actor and filmmaker. He was one of Europe's most prominent actors and screen sex symbols in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. In 1985, he won the César Award for Best Actor for h ...

. Then, she played ina television adaptation of

Molière Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (, ; 15 January 1622 (baptised) – 17 February 1673), known by his stage name Molière (, , ), was a French playwright, actor, and poet, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language and world ...

The Miser ''The Miser'' (french: L'Avare; ; also known by the longer name ''L'Avare ou L'École du Mensonge,'' meaning The Miser, or the School for Lies) is a five-act comedy in prose by the French playwright Molière. It was first performed on September 9 ...

. In this staging she played Frosine, alongside

Henri Virlojeux Henri Virlogeux (22 March 1924 – 19 December 1995) was a French actor. He is known for "The 400 Blows" (1959), "Les rois maudits" (1972) and "Schulmeister, espion de l'empereur" (1971). He was married to Véronique Silver. He died on December 19, ...

and

Paul Préboist Paul Préboist (21 February 1927 – 4 March 1997) was a French actor. He appeared in more than hundred films, mostly in supporting roles, and is best known as a comic actor. Filmography Theater References External links *Paul Préboist ...

. In 1980, she had several musical successes, including; "Senorita Raspa", "La Coupe à Ratcha", "L'Artiste", and "Ma plus jolie chanson", but, her most successful title was "Tata Yoyo" which became another of her songs to develop a cult following.

1981–1990

In 1981, she played Mme Hortense in the TV Movie written by

Didier Decoin Didier Decoin (born 13 March 1945) is a French screenwriter and writer awarded the Prix Goncourt in 1977. Biography He is the son of filmmaker Henri Decoin. He began his career as a newspaper journalist at ''France Soir'', ''Le Figaro'' and ...

, "Les fiançailles de feu", alongside Pierre Malet and

Paul Le Person Paul Le Person (10 February 1931 in Argenteuil – 8 August 2005) was a French actor of Breton Breton most often refers to: *anything associated with Brittany, and generally ** Breton people ** Breton language, a Southwestern Brittonic Celtic ...

. She also played the leading role in the TV Movie "Madame Sans-Gêne", an adaptation of

Victorien Sardou Victorien Sardou ( , ; 5 September 18318 November 1908) was a French dramatist. He is best remembered today for his development, along with Eugène Scribe, of the well-made play. He also wrote several plays that were made into popular 19th-centur ...

's play, in which she appeared with

Raoul Billerey Raoul Billerey (1920 - 2010) was a French actor. Partial filmography *''The Three Musketeers'' (1953) *''Cadet Rousselle'' (1954) - Un soldat à l'auberge des Trois Pichets / Un garde au Tribunal Révolutionnaire / Un sans-culotte *'' The Impo ...

. This same year she made her stage drama debut with the same play, "Madame Sans-Gêne". In 1982, she's apoeared in the final musical in which she had the leading part, "Envoyez la musique". This same year on Television, she had her own TV Series, "Madame S.O.S.", it lasted one season. She played alongside

Jean-Pierre Darras Jean-Pierre Darras (1927–1999) was a French actor. Filmography 1927 births 1999 deaths Deaths from cancer in France French film directors French monarchists Male actors from Paris People from Val-de-Marne French male film actors ...

and

Jeanne Herviale Jeanne Herviale (24 December 1908 – 29 November 1989) was a French actress. She appeared in 85 films and television shows between 1946 and 1989. Partial filmography * '' Mr. Orchid'' (1946) - Marie * '' The Damned'' (1947) - La bonne du ...

. The series's soundtrack, "Si j'étais le soleil", was sung by Cordy. She had also another musical success with "Nini Pompon". In 1983, after six years of absence from the cinema, she returned with "Le braconnier de Dieu", directed by

, in which she played the leading female part. The movie also starred Pierre Mondy,

Daniel Ceccaldi Daniel Ceccaldi (25 July 1927 – 27 March 2003) was a French actor. He was born in Meaux, Seine-et-Marne, France. The mild-mannered Daniel Ceccaldi is famous as Claude Jade's father ''Lucien Darbon'' in François Truffaut's movies ''Stolen Kis ...

Catherine Allégret Catherine Allégret (born 16 April 1946) is a French actress. She is the daughter of Simone Signoret and Yves Allégret.Becker, Frawley (2004) ''And the Stars Spoke Back: A Dialogue Coach Remembers Hollywood Players of the Sixties in Paris'', Sca ...

Rosy Varte Rosy Varte (22 November 1923 – 14 January 2012) was a French actress of Armenian descent. She made more than 100 film and television appearances during her career. She starred in the 1972 film ''The Bar at the Crossing'', which was enter ...

Odette Laure Odette Laure (28 February 1917 – 10 June 2004) was a French actress and cabaret singer. She appeared in more than 50 films and television shows between 1950 and 2001. She was nominated for the César Award for Best Supporting Actress for ' ...

Marthe Mercadier Marthe Mercadier (23 October 1928 – 15 September 2021) was a French actress. Filmography Awards * In 1974, she was named Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. * In 1989, she won the ''Molière Award'' of the Best Comic Show. * In 2007, she was n ...

, and

Roger Pierre Roger Pierre (30 August 1923 – 23 January 2010) was a French comedian and actor. Early life Roger Pierre was born on 30 August 1923 in Paris, France. Career Pierre and Jean-Marc Thibault were one of France's most popular comedy acts. Working r ...

. Meanwhile, Cordy experienced yet another musical success with the song
Le rock à Médor
. In 1985, she had another musical hit which became a cult favorite,

Cho Ka Ka O "Cho Ka Ka O" or "Chaud cacao" ("Hot cocoa") is a song performed by Belgian singer Annie Cordy. The song was written by Vivien Vallay, Patrick Bousquet and Pierre Carrel. The song was released in France and Belgium in 1985. The song sold more than ...

. In 1986, she appeared principally in Theater, with three plays in one year. First as

Madame de Sévigné Madame may refer to: * Madam, civility title or form of address for women, derived from the French * Madam (prostitution), a term for a woman who is engaged in the business of procuring prostitutes, usually the manager of a brothel * ''Madame'' ( ...

, in the play of the same name, in which she played the center role. Then, she played in "La Mienne s'appelait Régine" at the

Théâtre de l'Œuvre The Théâtre de l'Œuvre is a Paris theatre on the Right Bank, located at 3, Cité Monthiers, entrance 55, rue de Clichy, in the 9° arrondissement. It is commonly conflated and confused with the late-nineteenth-century theater company named Th� ...

. And finally, she played in "Merci Apolline", an original play. In 1987, she resumed her role in the classic play "Madame Sans-Gene", that she had already played in 1981, on stage and in a TV Movie. In 1989, she appeared in one episode of the French television Series, "Le bonheur d'en face", in which she played Irène Lecoin, in an episode directed by Teff Erhat. She also starred in the play "Mademoiselle Plume", in the leading role. In 1990, she returned to cinema after a seven year break with the movie " Impasse de la vignette". In this film she played alongside;

Paul Crauchet Paul Crauchet (14 July 1920 – 19 December 2012) was a French actor. Biography As a young man interested in aviation and rugby, Paul Crauchet discovered a passion for the theatre at the age of 23. He settled in Paris in 1945, he studied un ...

Jean-Paul Comart Jean-Paul Comart (born 27 September 1953) is a Belgian actor best known for his appearances in French film in the 1980s. He has appeared in films, TV and in the theatre. Since 2000, Comart has mostly appeared on television, playing Inspector M ...

, and

Jean-Yves Berteloot Jean-Yves Berteloot (born 27 August 1958) is a French actor. Theater Filmography References External links * {{DEFAULTSORT:Berteloot, Jean-Yves 1958 births Living people People from Saint-Omer French male film actors French ma ...

. Her performance was praised by the critics and she won the Best Actress Award at the "Festivals de Digne". This same year, she had the leading role in the television Series "Orages d'été", in which she appeared during nine episodes, next to Gérard Klein,

Claire Nebout Claire Nebout (born 20 May 1964) is a French actress. She has appeared in 55 films and television shows since 1986. She co-starred in ''In the Country of Juliets'', which was entered into the 1992 Cannes Film Festival The 45th Cannes Film Fest ...

Jacques Dufilho Jacques Dufilho (19 February 1914 – 28 August 2005) was a French actor. He was born at Bègles (Gironde) and he died at Ponsampère (Gers). Life and career Dufilho appeared in 65 French productions. Moreover, he was frequently seen in Italian ...

Pierre Vaneck Pierre Vaneck (born Pierre Auguste Van Hecke; 15 April 1931 – 31 January 2010) was a French actor. During his career, he won a Molière Award in 1988 and received a César Award nomination in 2009. Biography Son of a Belgian army officer, ...

, and

Patachou Henriette Ragon (10 June 1918 – 30 April 2015), better known as Patachou, was a French singer and actress. She was an Officier of the Légion d'honneur. Biography Early life Born in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, Henriette Ragon began her ...

. She also appeared on stage with the play "Sacrée Gladys", in which she had the leading role, next to

Jacques Balutin Jacques Balutin is a French actor.Francis Perrin Francis Perrin may refer to: * Francis Perrin (actor) (born 1947), French actor, screenwriter and director * Francis Perrin (physicist) (1901–1992), French physicist See also

* Perrin (disambiguation) {{hndis, Perrin, Francis ...

Christophe Bourseiller Christophe Bourseiller (; born Christophe Gintzburger; born 27 September 1957 in Paris) is a French actor, writer, freemason and journalist. He began as a child actor and starred in Yves Robert's '' War of the Buttons'' (''La Guerre des boutons'') ...

Jacques Seiler Jacques Seiler (1928–2004) was a French actor. Selected filmography * '' On Foot, on Horse, and on Wheels'' (1957) - Le garçon sortant du 'Bean's' (uncredited) * '' Ces dames préfèrent le mambo'' (1957) - Henri Bates - le steward * ''Le sep ...

, and

Mouss Diouf Pierre Mustapha "Mouss" Diouf (28 October 1964 – 7 July 2012) was a French-Senegalese actor, comedian and humorist. Acting career Born in Dakar, Diouf was known for his lead role in '' The Beast (La bête)'' and as Baba in '' Asterix & Obelix: ...

. 1994, was a big year for her. First, she starred in the movie

La Vengeance d'une blonde ''La Vengeance d'une blonde'' is a 1994 French comedy film directed by Jeannot Szwarc. Plot Gérard Breha is journalist on a Breton regional channel. He host, happy, his last Show, as he has been named host to the 23 hours newsreader on the large ...

, directed by

Jeannot Szwarc Jeannot Szwarc (born November 21, 1939) is a French director of film and television, known for such films as ''Jaws 2'', ''Somewhere in Time'', ''Supergirl'' and '' Santa Claus: The Movie''. He has also produced and written for TV. Life and ca ...

, and with

Christian Clavier Christian Jean-Marie Clavier (; born 6 May 1952) is a French actor, screenwriter, film producer and director. He became widely popular after starring in two hit comedy series: Patrice Leconte's ''Les Bronzés'' and ''Les Visiteurs'' directed by J ...

Marie-Anne Chazel Marie-Anne France Jacqueline Chazel (born 19 September 1951) is a French actress, screenwriter and director, who has been active in both film and television since 1974. Biography Chazel was born to actress Louba Guertchikoff (birth name Lou ...

Clémentine Célarié Clémentine Célarié (born 12 October 1957) is a French actress, writer, director and singer.

Thierry Lhermitte Thierry Lhermitte (; born 24 November 1952) is a French actor, director, writer and producer, best known for his comedic roles. He was a founder of the comedy troupe ''Le Splendid'' in the 1970s, along with, among others, Christian Clavier, Gérar ...

Marc de Jonge Marc Louis Maxime de Jonge (16 February 1949 – 10 March 1996) was a French actor. Career Despite being best known for his role as the heartless Soviet Colonel Zaysen in ''Rambo III'', de Jonge had a long and fruitful career. He was in over 50 ...

Philippe Khorsand Philippe Khorsand (February 17, 1948 – January 29, 2008) was a French actor. His father was Iranian and his mother was French. He first appeared in a number of small roles in the 1970s. One of his most memorable roles as husband and father in ' ...

Angelo Infanti Angelo Infanti (; 16 February 1939 – 12 October 2010) was an Italian film actor. He appeared in more than 90 films between 1961 and 2010. He was born on 16 February 1939 in Zagarolo, Italy. He died on 12 October 2010 in Tivoli, Italy due t ...

, and

Urbain Cancelier Urbain Cancelier (born 2 August 1959) is a French comedian and actor, primarily known for his collaborations with French film director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and for playing Collignon in '' Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain''. Theater Filmogra ...

. It was a big success with more than two million tickets sales at the box office. It was the fourth most successful French film of the year 1994 in France, behind An indian in the city, Léon: The Professional, and

La Cité de la peur ( "The City of Fear"), also known as ("The Les Nuls Movie"), is a 1994 French comedy film written by and starring Chantal Lauby, Alain Chabat and Dominique Farrugia of the comedy group Les Nuls, and directed by Alain Berbérian in 1994. The m ...

. She played Bertoune, the central character, in the TV Movie "La fille du roi", which also stars

. This same year, she appeared in two plays. First, "Six heures au plus tard" with Xavier Percy and then "La Célestine" with Gérard Chambre. In both plays, she played the lead character. In 1995, she played in her first Short film, "Vroum-vroum", written by

Eduardo Manet Eduardo Manet (born 19 June 1930) is a Cuban-born novelist and playwright writing in French. His work has been translated into over 20 languages. Life Born in Santiago de Cuba, Manet lived in Paris and Italy in the 1950s. In 1960 he returned to ...

, in which she starred next to

Michael Lonsdale Michael Edward Lonsdale-Crouch (24 May 1931 – 21 September 2020), commonly known as Michael Lonsdale and sometimes named as Michel Lonsdale, was a French actor and author who appeared in over 180 films and television shows. He is best know ...

, and

. She played in one episode of the TV Series "Baldi", next to her friend

Charles Aznavour Charles Aznavour ( , ; born Shahnour Vaghinag Aznavourian, hy, Շահնուր Վաղինակ Ազնավուրեան, ; 22 May 1924 – 1 October 2018) was a French-Armenian singer, lyricist, actor and diplomat. Aznavour was known for his dist ...

. She also had the leading role in the TV Movie "Fanny se fait un sang d'encre". She also sang for the French soundtrack of

Pocahontas Pocahontas (, ; born Amonute, known as Matoaka, 1596 – March 1617) was a Native American woman, belonging to the Powhatan people, notable for her association with the colonial settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. She was the daughter of ...

, named "Ecoute ton coeur". In 1996, she played in a Short called "Moi j'aime Albert", alongside

André Pousse André Pousse (20 October 1919 – 9 September 2005) was a noted French actor and, in his youth, also a notable cyclist. Biography While primarily known as a leading French actor, André Pousse began his professional career as a cyclist (prima ...

. She also played Hélène in an episode of "Le refuge", starring

Maxime Leroux Maxime Leroux (26 March 195121 January 2010) was a French actor. Partial filmography *''Les manèges de l'imaginaire'' (1982) - L'homme amnésique *''Effraction'' (1983) - Un gangster *''Le transfuge'' (1985) *''Disorder'' (1986) - Propriétai ...

and direct by Alain Schwartzstein. In 1997, she played in three TV Movies. First, "Le diable en sabots" from a novel by Claude Seignolle, in which she played Marie Fer, alongside Patrick Préjean. Then, she played the leading role in "Une mère comme on n'en fait plus", with

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and

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. Finally, she played Solange Serpette in "Sans cérémonie", directed by

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, written by

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, and also starring

and Caroline Vasicek. In 1998, to mark her 50-year career, she gave a concert at the

Olympia The name Olympia may refer to: Arts and entertainment Film * ''Olympia'' (1938 film), by Leni Riefenstahl, documenting the Berlin-hosted Olympic Games * ''Olympia'' (1998 film), about a Mexican soap opera star who pursues a career as an athlet ...

. Her friends

Georges Moustaki Georges Moustaki (born Giuseppe Mustacchi; 3 May 1934 – 23 May 2013) was an Egyptian-French singer-songwriter of Jewish Italo-Greek origin. He wrote about 300 songs for some of the most popular singers in France, including Édith Piaf, Dalida, ...

, Guy Béart, Nicoletta (singer), Nicoletta, Benjamin Castaldi, Sim,

, Michel Leeb, Laurent Gerra, Didier Gustin, and many others were present at the event. In 1999, she played in the Short "Un Noël de chien", written and directed by Nadine Monfils, and also starring Jean-Claude Dreyfus. In 2000, she appeared in a second episode of the TV Series "Baldi", in which she'd already played in 1995, still next to her friend

. She was also back on stage with a play written by William Shakespeare : "Les Joyeuses Commères de Windsor" (The Merry Wives of Windsor). She acted in this play with Patrick Préjean. She has also participated in the series of concerts organized by Les Enfoirés, where shared the song "Une belle histoire" with Alain Souchon and Francis Cabrel.

2001–2020

In 2001, she starred in the TV Movie "La tortue", with Pascale Arbillot. In 2002, she starred in two TV Movies. First, "Les rebelles de Moissac", with Françoise Bertin and Maurice Chevit, and then, "Passage du bac", with

, Alexis Tomassian, Bernard Blancan, and

. In 2003, Annie played Lucette, the central character in an episode of "Fabien Cosma", with Louis-Karim Nébati and

. In 2004, she played in the Short film "Zartmo". She was also back in the motion picture "Madame Édouard", after ten years of having not appeared in any film. "Madame Édouard" also starred Michel Blanc, Didier Bourdon, Dominique Lavanant, Josiane Balasko, Rufus (actor), Rufus, Andréa Ferréol, and Bouli Lanners. For her role in "Les Femmes de Cristal", she received the Woman Crystal Award in the category "Cinema and Theatre". In 2005, she appeared in an episode of "Le tuteur", with Tony D'Amario. In 2006, Cordy played Rose, the leading female character in the movie "Le Dernier des fous". The movie is based on the novel "The Last of The Crazy People" written by Timothy Findley. She was in the movie with Dominique Reymond. She also starred in "C'est beau une ville la nuit", directed by Richard Bohringer, and also featuring; Romane Bohringer, Robinson Stévenin, Luc Thuillier, Jacques Spiesser, Farid Chopel, Daniel Duval, Annie Girardot, Sonia Rolland, Christian Morin, and Paul Personne. She's also appeared on stage in "Lily & Lily", a play in which she had the leading part, with Christian Morin and Firmine Richard. She was also the narrator for the documentary, "Moi, Belgique" on RTBF, in which she related the history of her country, Belgium. In 2008, she played Mme Graindorge in Disco (2008 film), Disco, Fabien Onteniente's movie starring Emmanuelle Béart,

, Samuel Le Bihan, Isabelle Nanty, Chloé Lambert, Marie-Christine Adam, Pauline Delpech, Xavier Beauvois, and Danièle Lebrun. The film was a big success with more than two million ticket sold in France. It was the third most successful French movie in France in 2008, just behind Welcome to the Sticks and Asterix at the Olympic Games (film), Asterix at the Olympic Games. This same year, she played in Le crime est notre affaire, directed by Pascal Thomas and based on the novel 4.50 from Paddington, written by Agatha Christie. The movie also starred Catherine Frot, André Dussollier,

, Chiara Mastroianni, Melvil Poupaud, Christian Vadim, Hippolyte Girardot, and Yves Afonso. This was also a success with more than a million tickets sold in France. Also in 2008, the channel RTBF organised a special night for Annie, named "Quelque chose en nous d'Annie Cordy", in which a number of artists appeared to pay a tribute to her. In 2009, she played in Wild Grass, a movie directed by Alain Resnais and starring Sabine Azéma, André Dussollier, Anne Consigny, Emmanuelle Devos, Mathieu Amalric, Michel Vuillermoz, Edouard Baer, Sara Forestier, Nicolas Duvauchelle,

, and Jean-Michel Ribes. This same year, she started a new play, "Laissez-moi sortir", in which she was alone on the stage, playing the part of a great star who is locked out on her balcony and so talks and reminisces about her entire career. After the huge success of the play in 2009 she started a tour in the whole of

in 2010. In 2011, she played in the low-budget movie "Crimes en sourdine" with Annick Alane, Ginette Garcin, and Patrick Préjean. The same year she was back in a studio with an original album : "Ca me plaît pourvu que ça vous plaise..." in which she sang songs written for her by artists such as

or Alice Dona. In 2012, she had the leading role in the TV Movie "Je retourne chez ma mère", starring also Rufus (actor), Rufus and

. She also appeared in an episode of Scènes de ménage (TV Series), Scènes de ménage. In 2013, she appeared in an episode of the TV Series "Y'a pas d'âge", broadcast on France 2, alongside Jérôme Commandeur, Marthe Villalonga, Claude Brasseur, Carmen Maura, and Arielle Dombasle. In 2014, she played in Le Dernier Diamant, alongside Yvan Attal, Bérénice Bejo, Jean-François Stévenin, and Jacques Spiesser. She also appeared in an episode of "H-Man", a TV Series broadcast on Arte, alongside Arthur H. She also released a Christmas album for December with 30 jazz musicians named "Annie Cordy chante Noël". In 2015, she was given the leading role in Les souvenirs, directed by Jean-Paul Rouve, and also starring Chantal Lauby and Michel Blanc. The movie was a great success with over a million tickets sold.
She also played in France 2's TV Series "Chefs (TV series), Chefs", with a recurrent character, next to Hugo Becker (actor), Hugo Becker, Anne Charrier, Clovis Cornillac, Juliette (French singer), Juliette, Nicolas Gob, Robin Renucci, and Zinedine Soualem. She was involved in the album "Joyeux anniversaire M'sieur Dutronc" which paid tribute to Jacques Dutronc. This year, she also walked up the stairs to the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. She was also invited to the ''Festival du film francophone d'Angoulême'' for a tribute to Belgian Cinema where Impasse de la vignette and

were presented. In 2016, she walked up the stairs to the 2016 Cannes Film Festival to see the movie ''The Unknown Girl'' before the movie ''Le Cancre'' was presented with the cast. In July 2018, for her 90th birthday, she was the guest of honour of the Ommegang of Brussels. A couple of days after this event on August 8th, the park next to the train station in

, city where she was born was named for her.

Death

On 4 September 2020, Cordy suffered cardiac arrest at her home in Vallauris,

, where she lived with her niece. Attempts to revive her were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead. She was 92 years old.

In popular culture

Albert Uderzo gave Annie Cordy a cameo as the wife of the Belgian chieftain in the Asterix comic book story ''Asterix in Belgium''.

Honours

* 2005: Baroness of Belgium. * 24 October 2013 : Commander of the Order of the Crown (Belgium), Order of the Crown. * 2022: Léopold II Tunnel in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean renamed "Annie Cordy Tunnel"

Filmography

Dubbing

Box-office

Movies starring Annie Cordy with more than a million entries in France.

Stage

Theater

Musicals

Discography

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Cordy, Annie 1928 births 2020 deaths People from Laeken Belgian baronesses 20th-century Belgian women singers Belgian film actresses Belgian voice actresses Belgian comedy musicians Belgian women comedians Commanders of the Order of the Crown (Belgium) CBS Records artists X Records artists Belgian television actresses 20th-century Belgian actresses 21st-century Belgian actresses Walloon musicians