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. 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 Récamier
  • The 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 Irwin
  • Luck, as Tania Balieff
  • The Man with the Hispano, as Stéphane Oswill
  • The 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 garçonne
  • Temptation, as Irène de Bergue
  • When Midnight Strikes, as Mattia
  • Les Demi-vierges, as Maud de Rouvre
  • Blanchette, 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 Caroline
  • The Phantom Carriage, as Sœur Maria
  • Those of the Sky, as Hélène
  • Private 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