Roger Vadim Plemiannikov (; 26 January 1928 – 11 February 2000) was a French screenwriter, film director and producer, as well as an author, artist and occasional actor. His best-known works are visually lavish films with erotic qualities, such as '' And God Created Woman'' (1956), '' Blood and Roses'' (1960), '' Barbarella'' (1968), and '' Pretty Maids All in a Row'' (1971).

Early life

Vadim was born Roger Vadim Plemiannikov (sometimes transliterated Plemiannikoff) in Paris. His father, Igor Nikolaevich Plemiannikov (), a White Russian military officer and pianist, had emigrated from the

Russian Empire The Russian Empire was an empire and the final period of the List of Russian monarchs, Russian monarchy from 1721 to 1917, ruling across large parts of Eurasia. It succeeded the Tsardom of Russia following the Treaty of Nystad, which ended th ...

and became a naturalized French citizen. He was a

vice consul A consul is an official representative of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, as well as to facilitate trade and friendship between the people ...

of France to

Egypt Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Med ...

, stationed in

Alexandria Alexandria ( or ; ar, ٱلْإِسْكَنْدَرِيَّةُ ; grc-gre, Αλεξάνδρεια, Alexándria) is the second largest city in Egypt, and the largest city on the Mediterranean coast. Founded in by Alexander the Great, Alexandr ...

, later posting to

Mersin Mersin (), also known as İçel, is a large city and a port on the Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey. It is the provincial capital of Mersin Province, Mersin (İçel) Province. It is made up of four municipalities and dis ...

, Turkey as a consul. Vadim's mother, Marie-Antoinette (née Ardilouze), was a French actress. Although Vadim lived as a diplomat's child in Northern Africa and the Middle East in his early youth, the death of his father when Vadim was nine years old caused the family to return to France, where his mother found work running a hostel in the French Alps, which was functioning as a way-station for Jews and other fugitives fleeing

Nazism Nazism ( ; german: Nazismus), the common name in English for National Socialism (german: Nationalsozialismus, ), is the far-right totalitarian political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in ...

. Vadim studied journalism and writing at the University of Paris, without graduating.

Film career

Marc Allégret

At age 19, he became assistant to film director

Marc Allégret Marc Allégret (22 December 1900 – 3 November 1973) was a French screenwriter, photographer and film director. Biography Born in Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland, he was the elder brother of Yves Allégret. Marc was educated to be a lawyer i ...

, whom he met while working at the Theatre Sarah Bernhardt, and for whom he worked on several screenplays. He was an assistant director on Allegret's '' Blanche Fury'' (1948), a commercially unsuccessful melodrama which Allegret made for a British company in English. Vadim was one of several writers on Allegret's French-British '' The Naked Heart'' (1950), aka ''Maria Chapdelaine'', starring Michèle Morgan, as well as serving as assistant director. It was shot in French and English versions. '' Blackmailed'' (1951) was another film Allegret directed in England, starring Mai Zetterling and Dirk Bogarde; Vadim was credited as one of the writers. He was also one of several writers on Allegret's, '' La demoiselle et son revenant'' (1952). Vadim did the screenplay and commentary for a documentary, ''Le gouffre de la Pierre Saint-Marti'' (1953) and was assistant director on Allegret's '' Julietta'' (1953), a popular romance with

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 ...

, Dany Robin and

Jeanne Moreau Jeanne Moreau (; 23 January 1928 – 31 July 2017) was a French actress, singer, screenwriter, director, and socialite. She made her theatrical debut in 1947, and established herself as one of the leading actresses of the Comédie-Française. Mo ...

. Vadim wrote Allegret's '' Loves of Three Queens'' (1954), with Hedy Lamarr.

Brigitte Bardot

Vadim had begun a relationship with model-actress Brigitte Bardot. She was given a good role in a drama directed by Allegret, ''

School for Love ''School for Love'' (''Futures vedettes'') is a French drama film from 1955 directed by Marc Allégret, written by Marc Allégret and starring Brigitte Bardot and Jean Marais. The screenplay was based on a novel by Vicki Baum.Plucking the Daisy'' (1956), aka ''Mam'selle Striptease'', was a huge success at the French box office. So too was '' Naughty Girl'' (1956), with Bardot. This allowed Vadim to get backing for his first movie as director. Vadim's first film as director was based on an original story of his, '' And God Created Woman'' (1956). Starring Bardot,

Curt Jurgens Kurt is a male given name of Germanic or Turkish origin. ''Kurt'' or ''Curt'' originated as short forms of the Germanic Conrad, depending on geographical usage, with meanings including counselor or advisor. In Turkish, Kurt means "Wolf" and is ...

and Christian Marquand and produced by Raoul Levy it was not only a major success in France, but around the world, and established Bardot as a world icon. Vadim followed it with '' No Sun in Venice'' (1957) starring Françoise Arnoul and Marquand, produced by Levy, which was considerably less popular than ''And God Created Woman''. Levy, Vadim and Bardot were to make ''Paris by Night'' with Frank Sinatra but Bardot refused to spend months in the US and Sinatra felt likewise about filming in France. Instead Vadim made '' The Night Heaven Fell'' (1958), starring Bardot and Stephen Boyd. He was one of several writers on Allegret's popular comedy, '' Be Beautiful But Shut Up'' (1958), starring

Mylène Demongeot Mylène Demongeot (born Marie-Hélène Demongeot; 29 September 1935 – 1 December 2022) was a French film, television and theatre actress and author with a career spanning seven decades and more than 100 credits in French, Italian, English an ...

. Vadims's next film was an adaptation of the book '' Les liaisons dangereuses'' (1959), which he wrote and directed. It starred Moreau, Gérard Philipe (in his final film) and Annette Stroyberg, a Danish model who became Vadim's second wife. The film became a huge hit in France. Stroyberg was also in the vampire film '' Blood and Roses'' (1960). They divorced shortly afterwards. Vadim was reunited with Bardot for '' Please, Not Now!'' (1961), a popular comedy. He was one of several directors of the anthology film, '' The Seven Deadly Sins'' (1962). Vadim began a relationship with a young Catherine Deneuve. She starred in a segment of the anthology film ''

Tales of Paris ''Tales of Paris'' (french: Les parisiennes) is a 1962 comedy-drama anthology film consisting of four segments. Plot Cast ''Sophie'' * Catherine Deneuve as Sophie * Johnny Hallyday as Jean Allard * Elina Labourdette as Jacqueline * Gillia ...

'' (1962), which was written by Vadim and directed by Allegret. She starred in a film Vadim helped write and produce, ''

And Satan Calls the Turns ''And Satan Calls the Turns'' is a 1962 French film directed by Grisha Dabat and starring Catherine Deneuve. It was known in France as ''Et Satan conduit le bal''. Cast * Catherine Deneuve as Manuelle * Jacques Perrin as Ivan * Bernadette Lafo ...

'' (1962), and was also in '' Vice and Virtue'' (1963), which Vadim directed. Vadim had another success writing and directing for Bardot, ''

Love on a Pillow ''Love on a Pillow'' is a 1962 French film starring Brigitte Bardot and directed by Roger Vadim. It was known in France as ''Le repos du guerrier''. Plot Geneviève Le Theil is a financially independent woman in Paris engaged to Pierre. She goes ...

'' (1962), but found less favour with '' Nutty, Naughty Chateau'' (1963) starring Monica Vitti.

Jane Fonda

Vadim tried another adaptation of a classic erotic text, '' La Ronde'' (1964). He said at the time, "When I make a picture about relations between people, something erotic comes through; I can't help it! But sex has been an inspiration, the greatest inspiration, since art exists." One of the film's many stars was rising American actress

Jane Fonda Jane Seymour Fonda (born December 21, 1937) is an American actress, activist, and former fashion model. Recognized as a film icon, Fonda is the recipient of various accolades including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, sev ...

who began a romantic relationship with Vadim. Vadim devised a vehicle for Fonda, '' The Game Is Over'' (1966), based on a book by Émile Zola. Shot in French and English versions, it was very popular in France, though less so in the US. Dino de Laurentiis wanted Fonda to star in a science fiction sex comedy, '' Barbarella'' (1968) and she agreed provided Vadim could direct. Following this he directed Fonda in a segment of the omnibus horror film '' Spirits of the Dead'' (1968) along with her brother

Peter Fonda Peter Henry Fonda (February 23, 1940 – August 16, 2019) was an American actor. He was the son of Henry Fonda, younger brother of Jane Fonda, and father of Bridget Fonda. He was a prominent figure in the counterculture of the 1960s. Fond ...

. During his marriage to Fonda, Vadim would accompany her back to the US periodically while she made movies there. He and Fonda broke up and Vadim directed '' Pretty Maids All in a Row'' (1971) for MGM, starring Rock Hudson and Angie Dickinson. It was a commercial disappointment.

Later career

Vadim returned to France. He wrote and directed '' Hellé'' (1972), starring Gwen Welles, which was a flop. He was reunited with Bardot for '' Don Juan, or If Don Juan Were a Woman'' (1973), which was Bardot's penultimate movie and a commercial disappointment. Not particularly successful either were '' Charlotte'' (1974), and ''

Game of Seduction ''Game of Seduction'' (french: Une femme fidèle) is a French drama directed by Roger Vadim. Cast * Sylvia Kristel as Mathilde Leroy * Nathalie Delon as Flora de Saint-Gilles * Jon Finch as Comte Charles de Lapalmmes * Gisèle Casadesus as Marquis ...

'' (1976) with Sylvia Kristel and

Nathalie Delon Nathalie Delon (born Francine Canovas, also known as Nathalie Barthélémy; 1 August 194121 January 2021) was a French actress, model, film director and writer. In the 1960s, Nathalie was regarded as one of the most beautiful women in the world ...

. He directed a TV movie '' Bonheur, impair et passe'' (1977), starring Danielle Darrieux. In the 1980s Vadim based himself in the US. He directed ''

Night Games Night Games may refer to: __NOTOC__ Film * ''Night Games'' (1966 film), a 1966 Swedish film directed by Mai Zetterling * ''Night Games'' (1980 film), a 1980 film directed by Roger Vadim Music * "Night Games" (Charley Pride song), 1983 * "Night ...

'' (1980), where he attempted to make a star of Cindy Pickett, with whom he became romantically involved. He directed a caper film in Canada, ''

The Hot Touch ''The Hot Touch'' (also credited as ''Hot Touch'') is a 1981 Canadian crime comedy film directed by Roger Vadim. This caper film is set in the world of art forgery. An accomplished art forger and a businessman have for many years been successful ...

'' (1981), starring Marie-France Pisier. Back in France he wrote and directed ''

Surprise Party A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration or celebration of a special occasion. A party will often feature ...

'' (1983). He directed episodes of '' Faerie Tale Theatre'' (1984) and '' Deadly Nightmares'' (1986). Vadim attempted to recapture his former success with a new version of '' And God Created Woman'' (1988), with

Rebecca de Mornay Rebecca De Mornay (born Rebecca Jane Pearch; August 29, 1959) is an American actress and producer. Her breakthrough film role came in 1983, when she starred as Lana in ''Risky Business''. She is known for her role as Debby Huston in the Neil S ...

. Very different from the original – it only really used the same title – it failed critically and commercially. His final years were spent working in TV, where he directed ''

Safari A safari (; ) is an overland journey to observe wild animals, especially in eastern or southern Africa. The so-called "Big Five" game animals of Africa – lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo – particularly form an importa ...

'' (1991) and wrote and directed '' Amour fou'' (1993), starring Marie-Christine Barrault who became his final wife. She was also in ''

La Nouvelle tribu ''La Nouvelle tribu'' is a 1996 French mini series directed by Roger Vadim starring Marie-Christine Barrault and Sagamore Stévenin. External linksMini series informationat IMDb IMDb (an abbreviation of Internet Movie Database) is an onli ...

'' (1996) and its sequel ''

Un coup de baguette magique ''Un coup de baguette magique'' is a 1997 French TV movie written and directed by Roger Vadim. It starred Marie-Christine Barrault, Michael York and Sagamore Stévenin. It is a sequel to ''La Nouvelle tribu ''La Nouvelle tribu'' is a 1996 French ...

'' (1997), which Vadim wrote and directed.

Personal life

Romances

Vadim was famous for his romances and marriages to beautiful actresses. In his mid-30s, he lived with the teenaged Catherine Deneuve, by whom he had a child, Christian Vadim, prior to his marriage to Fonda. He was also involved with American actresses Margaret Markov and Cindy Pickett. Later, he cohabited with screenwriter

Ann Biderman Ann Biderman (born August 15, 1951) is an American film and television writer. She is the creator and executive producer of the NBC/TNT series ''Southland'' (2009–2013), and won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in ...

for several years, announcing their engagement in 1984, but the couple never wed.

Marriages

* Brigitte Bardot, 20 December 1952 – 6 December 1957 (divorced) * Annette Stroyberg, 17 June 1958 – 14 March 1961 (divorced); 1 daughter ( Nathalie) b. 7 December 1957 *

, 14 August 1965 – 16 January 1973 (divorced); 1 daughter (Vanessa) * Catherine Schneider, 13 December 1975 – 10 June 1977 (divorced); 1 son (Vania) *

, partner (engaged 1984 but never wed), California * Marie-Christine Barrault, 21 December 1990 – 11 February 2000 (his death) He also had two stepsons from his marriage to Schneider (younger sister of novelist

Dominique Schneidre Dominique Schneidre (born Dominique Schneider; July 8, 1942) is a French novelist. Early life Dominique Schneidre was born on July 8, 1942. Career Schneider started her career as a psychoanalyst. She is a novelist. She has written seven novels. ...

and heiress to the Schneider-Creusot steel and armaments firm) as well as adult stepchildren from Barrault's first marriage to Daniel Toscan du Plantier, also a friend of Vadim's, who called him "a happy man. He was someone in whom there was so much satisfaction to the end of his life. The films merely reflected his happiness." Nathalie, his eldest daughter, told Fonda biographer Patricia Bosworth: "Jane was the love of my father's life."

Writing

In addition to Vadim's theatre and film work, he also wrote several books, including the memoirs "Memoires du Diable", "Le Gout du Bonheur: Souvenirs 1940–1958" and an autobiography, ''D'une étoile à l'autre'' (''From One Star to the Next'') as well as a tell-all about his most famous exes, ''Bardot, Deneuve & Fonda: My Life with the Three Most Beautiful Women in the World'', published in 1986. "My attitude is that if this book makes me a little money it will be a tiny compensation for all the money I helped those actresses make", Vadim explained. He also wrote several plays and books of fiction, including ''L'ange affamé''.

Death

Vadim died of cancer at age 72 on 11 February 2000. Ex-wives Bardot, Fonda, Schneider and Stroyberg were all in attendance at his funeral. He is buried at

St. Tropez , INSEE = 83119 , postal code = 83990 , image coat of arms = Blason ville fr Saint-Tropez-A (Var).svg , image flag=Flag of Saint-Tropez.svg Saint-Tropez (; oc, Sant Tropetz, ; ) is a commune in the Var department and the region of Provence-Alp ...

Cemetery.

Filmography

Writer or director

*'' The Naked Heart'' (1950) *'' Blackmailed'' (1951) *''En Effeuillant la Marguerite/Mademoiselle Striptease'' (1956) *'' And God Created Woman'' (1956) *'' Sait-on jamais?'' (1957) *''Sois belle et tais-toi/Be Beautiful but Shut up'' (1957) *'' Les Bijoutiers du Clair de Lune/The Night Heaven Fell'' (1958) *'' Les liaisons dangereuses/Dangerous Liaisons'' (1959) *'' Blood and Roses'' (1960) *'' La Bride sur le cou/Please Not Now!'' (1961) *'' Les Sept péchés capitaux/Seven Capital Sins'' (1962) *''Les Parisiennes/Beds and Broads'' (1962) *''

'' (1962) *''Un château en Suède/Castle in Sweden'' (1963) *'' Le vice et la vertu/Vice and Virtue'' (1963) *'' La Ronde/Circle of Love'' (1964) *'' La Curée/The Game is Over'' (1966) *'' Spirits of the Dead'' (1968) *'' Barbarella'' (1968) *'' Pretty Maids All in a Row'' (1971) *'' Hellé'' (1972) *'' Don Juan ou Si Don Juan était une femme'' (1973) *''La jeune fille Assassinée/The Murdered Young Girl'' (1974) *'' Une femme fidèle'' (1976) *''Bonheur, impair et passe'' (1977) *'' Jeux de Nuit/Night Games'' (1980) *''

'' (1981) *''

'' (1983) *'' Faerie Tale Theatre'' (1984 TV, segment "Beauty and the Beast") *'' The Hitchhiker'' (1986 TV, segment "Dead Man's Curve") *'' And God Created Woman'' (1988) *''

'' (1991, TV movie) *''Amour fou'' (1993, TV movie) *''La Nouvelle tribu'' (1996, TV mini-series) *''

Mon père avait raison ''Mon père avait raison'' is a 1996 French TV movie directed by Roger Vadim starring Marie-Christine Barrault, Claude Rich and Nicolas Vaude. It was based on a play by Sacha Guitry Alexandre-Pierre Georges "Sacha" Guitry (; 21 February 18 ...

'' (1996, TV movie) *''Un coup de baguette magique'' (1997, TV movie)

Actor

*''School for Love'' (1955) *'' Sweet and Sour'' (1963) *'' Ciao! Manhattan'' (1972) *''The Assassinated Young Girl'' (1974) *'' Rich and Famous'' (1981) *'' Into the Night'' (1985)

References

External links

*
Image of Rock Hudson, Gene Roddenberry, and Roger Vadim posing with women cast members for motion picture "Pretty Maids All in a Row", California, 1970.
''

Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the ...

'' Photographic Archive (Collection 1429). UCLA Library Special Collections,

Charles E. Young Research Library The Charles E. Young Research Library is one of the largest libraries on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles in Westwood, Los Angeles, California. It initially opened in 1964, and a second phase of construction was completed ...

, University of California, Los Angeles. {{DEFAULTSORT:Vadim, Roger 1928 births 2000 deaths French film producers French male film actors French male stage actors Paris Match writers Male actors from Paris 20th-century French male actors Deaths from cancer in France Deaths from lymphoma Fonda family Film directors from Paris French people of Russian descent