Renowned French actress Anouk Aimée, celebrated for her roles in iconic films such as Federico Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita” and Claude Lelouch’s “A Man and a Woman,” has passed away at the age of 92. Aimée’s daughter, Manuela Papatakis, shared the news on Instagram, revealing that her mother died peacefully at her home in Paris.
Aimée, whose real name was Nicole Françoise Florence Dreyfus, was born in Paris on April 27, 1932. She was the daughter of actor Henri Dreyfus and actress Genevieve Sorya. During World War II, she adopted her mother’s maiden name to avoid Nazi persecution, moving between Paris and the south of France. Her career began at the tender age of 14 when she was discovered by director Henri Calef, who cast her in “La maison sous la mer” (1947).
Her breakthrough came with her role in Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita” (1960), where she played the wealthy heiress Maddalena. This role cemented her status as a sophisticated and enigmatic presence on screen. She continued to work with Fellini, starring in his autobiographical film “8½” (1963) as Luisa, the estranged wife of the protagonist, played by Marcello Mastroianni.
Aimée’s most acclaimed role came in 1966 with Lelouch’s “A Man and a Woman,” where she starred opposite Jean-Louis Trintignant. Her performance earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, making her one of the few actors to be nominated for a performance in a foreign film. The film also won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and Oscars for Best Original Screenplay and Best Foreign Language Film.
Throughout her career, Aimée appeared in over 80 films, working with some of the most esteemed directors in cinema. Her filmography includes Jacques Demy’s “Lola” (1961), Sidney Lumet’s “The Appointment” (1969), and Bernardo Bertolucci’s “Tragedy of a Ridiculous Man” (1981). She also starred in Robert Altman’s “Ready to Wear” (1994) and Marceline Loridan-Ivens’ “The Birch-Tree Meadow” (2003), where she portrayed a Holocaust survivor returning to Auschwitz.
In a 2007 interview with The Guardian, Aimée shared her acting philosophy, which she credited to Fellini: “The most important thing of all is to listen, just listen to what the other characters say. And don’t take yourself too seriously.”
Aimée’s personal life was as eventful as her career. She was married four times, including to Greek director-producer Nico Papatakis, with whom she had her daughter Manuela. She was also married to French singer Pierre Barouh and British actor Albert Finney. Despite the ups and downs, she remained a beloved figure in the film industry.
Aimée’s legacy is marked by her ability to bring depth and nuance to her roles, making her one of the most respected actresses of her time. Her contributions to cinema have left an indelible mark, and she will be remembered for her elegance, intelligence, and enigmatic presence on screen.
Her passing marks the end of an era, but her films will continue to inspire and captivate audiences for generations to come. Anouk Aimée is survived by her daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter, who will carry forward her legacy of grace and talent.
