Danielle Yvonne Marie Antoinette Darrieux known popularly by her stage name of Danielle Darrieux was a famous French film, television and Broadway actress who also served as a dancer and concert singer. Darrieux also gained considerable fame in Hollywood and appeared in several films for banners like Universal Studios and MGM. Darrieux made her acting debut in 1931 and is recognized as one of the greatest movie stars in France.
In a career spanning 8 decades, Darrieux appeared in over 110 films. She has appeared in several prominent French films like ‘Mauvaise Graine’, ‘Mon cœur t’appelle’, ‘Mademoiselle Mozart’, ‘Un mauvais garçon’ and Ruy Blas. She also featured in lead roles in American films like ”The Rage of Paris’, ”Rich, Young and Pretty’, ‘Five Fingers’ and ‘Alexander the Great’. Darrieux has been felicitated with one Berlin International Film Festival Award and one European Film Award. Darrieux celebrated her 100th birthday in May 2017 and passed in October 2017.
Early Life and Education
Darrieux was born on 1 May 1917 in Bordeaux, France during the First World War as the only daughter of her parents, mother Marie-Louise Witkowski and father Jean Darrieux who served as a physician in the French Army during World War I. Darrieux lost her father when she was just seven years old and was raised in Paris by her mother, along with her only sibling, a brother named Olivier Darrieux who also became an actor.
Not much is known about Darrieux’s early education. She attended the Conservatoire de Paris where she learnt how to play the cello as part of the school’s Conservatoire de Musique club. Darrieux began her film career at the age of 13, marking her silver screen debut with the French musical ‘Le Bal’.
Career Rise
Darrieux rose to prominence in 1936 with the French historical drama film ‘Mayerling’ in which she essayed the lead role of Marie Vetsera. The film became a huge hit. She was then signed by Universal Studios and essayed the role of Nicole in the hit 1938 American comedy film ‘The Rage of Paris’ but soon returned to Paris. In 1951, Darrieux portrayed the role of Jane Powell in the MGM musical film ‘Rich, Young and Pretty’ which marked the beginning of her second innings in Hollywood. She was next seen portraying Countess Anna Staviska in the 1952 American sky film film ‘Five Fingers’.
Darrieux continued to appear in French films like ‘The Earrings of Madame de…’ and ‘The Red and the Black’ (Le rouge et le noir) and also appeared in the titular role of Constance Chatterley in the 1955 film ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’ (L’Amant de lady Chatterley). She appeared in the 1956 epic film ‘Alexander the Great’ as Olympias, which became her last American film. In the later years of her career, Darrieux appeared as a stage and Broadway actress and concert singer and featured in plays like ‘La Robe Mauve de Valentine’, ‘Coco’, a Broadway musical based on Coco Chanel’s life, in which she replaced Katherine Hepburn among other short-lived plays.
Danielle Darrieux – Young Pictures
Personal Life
Darrieux has been married thrice. Darrieux was first married to French director and screen-writer Henri Decoin from 1935-1941. The union did not produce any children. Darrieux then married Porfirio Rubirosa, the Dominican diplomat and polo player, known for his playboy lifestyle in 1942. The couple lived in Germany and Switzerland but divorced in 1947. She did not have any children with Rubirosa Either.
Darrieux then dated scriptwriter Georges Mitsikidès for a year and married him in 1948. The couple became parents to one child, a son named Mathieu Mitsinkidès. Darrieux and Mitsikidès were married for 43 years until the latter died in 1991. Darrieux passed at the age of 100, on 17 October 2017.
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Danielle Darrieux – Net Worth
At the time of her death in October 2017, Darrieux had an estimated net worth of approximately $25 Million.