Marie Bell
Marie Bell, born Marie-Jeanne Bellon-Downey, was a French tragedian, comic actor and stage director. She was the director of the Théâtre du Gymnase in Paris from 1962 onwards, and this theatre now bears her name.
Early life
Marie Bell was born on 23 December 1900 in Bègles near Bordeaux (France). With her Irish father, she spent her childhood between Bordeaux and England.Career
Bell was a classical actress. She also appeared in avant-garde theatre, Jean Genet in particular.Her interpretation of the role of Phèdre is highly noted : "Voir Marie Bell dans Phèdre est une chance unique pour quiconque veut savoir ce qu'est le génie français." André Malraux
During the German Occupation of France, she participated in the French resistance as one of nine directors of the Front national du théâtre. She was awarded the decoration of the Légion d'honneur by President Charles de Gaulle.
Personal life
Bell married Jean Chevrier, who was also an actor.Death
Bell died on 14 August 1985 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France. She was buried alongside her husband Jean Chevrier at the Monaco Cemetery not far from Josephine Baker.Filmography
Paris, as Marthe de Lignières- Madame Récamier, as Juliette RécamierThe Farewell Waltz, as Maria Wodzińska
- Figaro, as Suzanne
- La nuit est à nous, as Bettine de Barsac
- Le Joker, as Harriet Williams
- ', as Lady Falkland
- La Folle Aventure, as Nelly IrwinLuck, as Tania BalieffThe Man with the Hispano, as Stéphane OswillThe Princess's Whim, as Isabelle
- Fedora, as Fedora
- Le Grand Jeu, as Florence / Irma
- Poliche, as Rosine
- ', as Anne-Marie de Beaulieu
- *', as Anne-Marie de Beaulieu
- ', as Marguerite
- La Garçonne, as Monique Lerbier – la garçonneTemptation, as Irène de BergueWhen Midnight Strikes, as Mattia
- Les Demi-vierges, as Maud de RouvreBlanchette, as Blanchette Rousset
- ', as Renée Morhange
- Un carnet de bal, as Christine Surgère
- ', de Simone
- La Glu, as Fernande "La Glu"
- Noix de coco, as CarolineThe Phantom Carriage, as Sœur MariaThose of the Sky, as HélènePrivate Life, as Florence
- Le colonel Chabert, as Comtesse Rosine Ferraud
- Il gattopardo, uncredited
- La Bonne Soupe, as Marie-Paule
- Vaghe stelle dell'Orsa, as Sandra's mother
- Hotel Paradiso, as La Grande Antoinette
- Phèdre, as Phèdre
- Closed Shutters, as Aurore