Danielle Darrieux Movies and Career Information

Danielle Yvonne Marie Antoinette Darrieux (born 1 May 1917) is a French actress and singer, who has appeared in more than 110 films since 1931. As one of France's great movie stars, her eight-decade career is among the longest in film history. She was born in Bordeaux, France during World War I to a physician who was serving in the French Army. Her father died when she was seven years old. Raised in Paris, she studied the cello at the Conservatoire de Musique. At 13, she won a part in the musical film Le Bal (1931). Her beauty combined with her singing and dancing ability led to numerous other offers, and the film Mayerling (1936) brought her to fame. In 1935, Darrieux married a director/screenwriter, Henri Decoin, who encouraged her to try Hollywood. She signed with Universal Studios to star in The Rage of Paris (1938) opposite Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Afterwards, she elected to return to Paris. Under the German occupation of France during World War II, she continued to perform, a decision that was severely criticized by her compatriots. However, it is reported that her brother had been threatened with deportation by Alfred Greven, the manager of the German run film production