Germaine Hélène Irène Lefebvre(French:[ʒɛʀmɛnelɛniʀɛnləfɛvʀ],6 January 1928 – 17 March 1990),[1]known by herstage nameCapucine(French:[kapysin]), was a French fashion model and actress known for her comedic roles inThe Pink Panther(1963) andWhat's New Pussycat?(1965). She appeared in 36 films and 17 television productions between 1948 and 1990.
Capucine | |
|---|---|
 Capucine on 25 April 1962 | |
| Born | Germaine Hélène Irène Lefebvre 6 January 1928 Saint-Raphaël, Var,France |
| Died | 17 March 1990(aged 62) Lausanne,Vaud, Switzerland |
| Occupation(s) | Model, actress |
| Years active | 1948–1990 |
| Spouse | |
Early life
editCapucine was born Germaine Hélène Irène Lefebvre on 6 January 1928 inSaint-Raphaël, Var,France.[1][2]She often confused the date of her birth by claiming that she was born in 1931 or 1933, and most sources indicate those years. She attended school inSaumur,France, and earned Bachelor of Arts degree in foreign languages.[3]
In 1945, at age 17, while riding in a carriage in Paris, Lefebvre was noticed by a commercial photographer. Adopting the French name of a flower, "Capucine" (nasturtium,Tropaeolum), she became a fashion model, working for the fashion housesGivenchyandChristian Dior.[3]
Capucine metAudrey Hepburnwhile modeling for Givenchy in Paris. They remained close friends for the rest of Capucine's life.[4]
Career
editEarly films
editCapucine made her film debut inJean Cocteau'sThe Eagle with Two Heads(1948), in a small, unbilled role. She also appeared inJacques Becker'sRendezvous in July(1949) andRobert Dhéry'sCrazy Show(1949).
She was inMarc-Gilbert Sauvajon'sMy Friend Sainfoin(1950) and Dhéry'sBernard and the Lion(1951).
After a break of a few years, Capucine appeared inMademoiselle from Paris(1955) andFrou-Frou(1955).
Rise to fame
editIn 1957, film producerCharles K. Feldmanspotted Capucine while she was modeling in New York City. Feldman put her under contract at $150 a week. He brought her to Hollywood to learn English and study acting underGregory Ratoff.[5][6]She took the stage name "Capucine", saying, "Two names are interesting and I hope one is interesting."[7]
She signed a seven-year contract withColumbia Picturesin 1958. After unsuccessfully auditioning for the role of Feathers inRio Bravo(1959), she landed her first English-speaking role in the filmSong Without End(1960), a biopic ofFranz Liszt,where Capucine playedCarolyne zu Sayn-Wittgenstein.ProducerWilliam Goetzsaid, "You can teach a girl to act, but nobody can teach her how to look like a princess. You've got to start with a girl who looks like a princess."[8][9]
"Every time I get in front of the camera, I think of it as an attractive man I am meeting for the first time," she said in 1960. "I find him demanding and aloof, so I must do all I can to interest him."[7]"I got much better as we went on," she said. "As the scenes warmed up, so did I."[10]
In 1960, she was nominated for aGolden Globe Award.[11][12]
Capucine followed this withNorth to Alaska(1960), a comedy that had been set up with her in mind by Feldman at20th Century Fox.She played a French prostitute who becomes the love interest ofJohn Wayne.Directed byHenry Hathaway,it was successful at the box office.
Capucine returned to Europe to co-star inLe triomphe de Michel Strogoff(1961) withCurd Jürgens,a sequel toMichel Strogoff(1956).
Back in Hollywood, she had second billing inWalk on the Wild Side(1962), produced by Feldman, in which she portrayed a redeemed hooker. Co-starLaurence Harveycomplained that Feldman cut his part to expand Capucine's role.[13]
She was thenWilliam Holden's love interest inThe Lion(1962). During filming, Capucine began a romance with Holden, which led to the end of her romantic relationship with Feldman; however, the producer remained loyal professionally.[14]
Feldman announced he would put Capucine inMary Magdalene[15]andWaltz of the Toreadors,[16]but neither happened.
She moved to Switzerland in 1962.[17]
Blake Edwardscast Capucine inThe Pink Panther,playingInspector Clouseau's wife, who is having an affair with a jewel thief, played byDavid Niven.It was a huge hit, and led to a number of sequels. In 1964, Capucine said the directors she had learned most from were Edwards and Henry Hathaway.[18]
Capucine was reunited with Holden inThe 7th Dawn(1964), produced by Feldman; it was a box office disappointment. Another film she did for Feldman, the comedyWhat's New Pussycat?(1965), which co-starred Sellers andPeter O'Toole,was far more successful; it was filmed entirely in France.[2]
Capucine was one of several European stars inSex Quartet(1966) for Columbia (originallyThe Queens),[19]then Feldman put her inThe Honey Pot(1967), directed byJoseph L. Mankiewicz.She was announced for Feldman'sCasino Royale,but did not appear in the film.[18][20]
Feldman died in May 1968, and Capucine's career never regained its former momentum.[21]She inherited the rights to the bookZandyfrom his estate and sold them to the makers ofZandy's Bride.[22]
Later career
editCapucine had a supporting role inFräulein Doktor(1968) and the lead in the Spanish thrillerThe Exquisite Cadaver(1969). She was in the supporting cast ofFellini Satyricon(1969). Fellini said, "She had a face to launch a thousand ships...but she was born too late."[8]
In 1968, she told an Italian magazine she wished she did not always have to be elegant, that she longed to play a "disheveled woman," but "since the directors know I was a model, it is obvious that they can't see me as anything else."[8]
Dirk Bogardesuggested her for the role of Tadzio's mother inDeath in Venice(1971), butLuchino Viscontiturned her down, saying, "She has a horrible voice and too many teeth. She looks like a horse, a beautiful horse, I know that, I was a trainer. I know all about horses, but I don't want a horse."[8]
Capucine had a supporting role in the WesternRed Sun(1971)[23]and guest-starred onSearch(1972), her first TV series.[24]
She supportedJean-Paul BelmondoinIncorrigible(1975) and Richard Burton inJackpot,which was ultimately abandoned.
She appeared on television inCinéma 16andLa pêche miraculeuse(1976), and had roles inThe Con Artists(1976),Per amore(1976),Ecco noi per esempio(1977),Nest of Vipers(1978),From Hell to Victory(1979),Atrocious Tales of Love and Death(1979),Neapolitan Mystery(1979),Arabian Adventure(1979),Jaguar Lives!(1979), andMartin Eden(1979).
Capucine appeared in episodes ofOrient Express(1980);Hart to Hart(1982); andMurder, She Wrote(1985), as well as the 1986 miniseriesSins.
She went to Europe[clarification needed]to makeLes invités(1982),Aphrodite(1982),Trail of the Pink Panther(1982), andCurse of the Pink Panther(1983).[25]
Capucine appears in episodes ofSérie noire;Voglia di cantare;Murder, She Wrote;Honor Thy Father;Sins;Delirium(1987);My First Forty Years(1987);Gila and Rik(1987);Una verità come un'altra(1989);Quartier nègre(1989);Blaues Blut(1990); andIl giudice istruttore.[26]
Personal life
editCapucine metPierre Trabaudon the set ofRendez-vous(1949) and they married the next year. The marriage lasted only eight months, and she never married again.[27]
She had a relationship with Charles K. Feldman,[28][29]who produced her filmsWhat's New Pussycat?,The 7th Dawn,andThe Honey Pot.This affair ended when Capucine metWilliam Holden,but she and Feldman remained friends until his death in 1968. He left her $75,000 (equivalent to $678,000 in 2024).[14]
Capucine met actor William Holden in the early 1960s. They starred in the filmsThe Lion(1962) andThe 7th Dawn(1964). Holden was married toBrenda Marshall,but the two began a two-year affair, which ended in part due to Holden's increasing alcoholism.[30]After the affair ended, she and Holden remained friends until his death in 1981.[31]In his will, he left her $50,000 (equivalent to $173,000 in 2024).[10]
Death
editOn 17 March 1990, at age 62, Capucine jumped to her death from her eighth-floor apartment inLausanne,Vaud, Switzerland, where she had lived for 28 years, having reportedly suffered from illness and depression for some time.[1][32]The police said an investigation left no doubt that she died by suicide. Neighbours said she had led a reclusive life with her three cats, hardly ever leaving her apartment and spending most of her time reading.[33]
Selected filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | The Eagle with Two Heads | Lady at the buffet | Uncredited |
| 1949 | Rendez-vous de juillet | One of Pierre's friends | Uncredited |
| Branquignol | A cowgirl | Uncredited | |
| 1950 | My Friend Sainfoin | ||
| 1951 | Bernard and the Lion | The baroness | |
| Four Red Roses | Colette | Credited as Valerie Darc | |
| 1955 | Mademoiselle from Paris | Herself | Alternative title:Mademoiselle de Paris |
| Frou-Frou | One of Arthus the painter's friends | Uncredited | |
| 1960 | Song Without End | PrincessCarolyne zu Sayn-Wittgenstein | |
| North to Alaska | Michelle 'Angel' Bonet | ||
| 1961 | The Triumph of Michael Strogoff | Tatoa, a Volskaya | |
| 1962 | Walk on the Wild Side | Hallie Gerard | |
| The Lion | Christine | ||
| 1963 | The Pink Panther | Simone Clouseau | |
| 1964 | The 7th Dawn | Dhana Mercier | |
| 1965 | What's New Pussycat? | Renée Lefebvre | |
| 1966 | Le fate | Marta | (segment "Fata Marta" ) |
| 1967 | The Honey Pot | Princess Dominique | |
| 1969 | Fräulein Doktor | Dr. Saforet | |
| The Exquisite Cadaver | Lucia Fonte | ||
| Fellini Satyricon | Trifena | ||
| 1971 | Red Sun | Pepita | |
| 1972 | Search | Silvana Tristano | Episode: "The Murrow Disappearance" |
| 1975 | Incorrigible | Hélène | |
| 1975 | Jackpot | ||
| 1976 | The Con Artists | Belle Duke | Alternative titles:Bluff,The Con Man |
| Per amore | Marina Reggiani, Alberto's wife | ||
| 1977 | Ecco noi per esempio | Moglie di Click | |
| 1978 | Nest of Vipers | Amalia Mazzarini | |
| 1979 | From Hell to Victory | Nicole Levine | |
| Neapolitan Mystery | Sister Angela | ||
| Arabian Adventure | Vahishta | ||
| Jaguar Lives! | Zina Vanacore | ||
| 1982 | Hart to Hart | Lily Von Borg | Episode: "Hart of Diamonds" |
| Aphrodite | Lady Suzanne Stanford | ||
| Trail of the Pink Panther | Lady Simone Lytton | ||
| 1983 | Balles perdues | Madam Teufminn | |
| Curse of the Pink Panther | Lady Simone Lytton | ||
| 1985 | Murder, She Wrote | Belle Chaney | Episode: "Paint Me a Murder" |
| 1986 | Sins | Odile | Miniseries |
| 1987 | Delirium: Photo of Gioia | Flora | |
| My First Forty Years | Princess Caracciolo | ||
| 1990 | Blaues Blut | Countess von Altenberg |
See also
edit
References
edit- ^abcDonnelley, Paul (2005-11-01).Fade to Black: A Book of Movie Obituaries(3 ed.). Omnibus Press. p. 236.ISBN1-84449-430-6.
- ^abMarshall, Bill; Johnston, Cristina (2005).France and the Americas: Culture, Politics, and History: A Multidisciplinary Encyclopedia.Vol. 3. ABC-CLIO. pp.211–212.ISBN1-85109-411-3.
- ^abSegrave, Kerry; Martin, Linda (1990).The Continental Actress: European Film Stars Of the Postwar Era--Biographies, Criticism, Filmographies, Bibliographies.McFarland. p.155.ISBN0-899-50510-4.
- ^Paris, Barry (2002).Audrey Hepburn.Berkley Pub Group. p. 319.ISBN0-425-18212-6.
- ^Monush, Barry (2003).Screen World Presents the Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors: From the Silent Era to 1965.Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 109.ISBN1-55783-551-9.
- ^Hyams, J. (Jun 2, 1959). "French star Capucine in first interview".Los Angeles Times.ProQuest167442212.
- ^ab"A different kind of French girl Hyams, Joe".Los Angeles Times.Mar 13, 1960. p. A11.
- ^abcdIona McLaren (Jan 6, 2018). "'Men look at me like I'm a suspicious trunk'".The Daily Telegraph.p. 8.
- ^"Serene Capucine: Photog's Delight".Los Angeles Times.30 July 1961. p. O10.
- ^ab"Capucine, 57, Dies; French-Born Actress in Films of the 60's".New York Times.21 Mar 1990. p. D.27.
- ^Scheuer, P. K. (May 8, 1960). "CREATURE OF BEAUTY".Los Angeles Times.ProQuest167591678.
- ^Hyams, J. (Mar 13, 1960). "A different kind of french girl".Los Angeles Times.ProQuest167574016.
- ^Haber, J. (Oct 14, 1973). "Larry harvey, hollywood's favorite 'outrage'".Los Angeles Times.ProQuest157309209.
- ^abBiskind, Peter (Apr 2003). "The man who minted style".Vanity Fair.No. 512. New York. p. 210.
- ^A.H. WEILER. (Feb 4, 1962). "BY WAY OF REPORT".New York Times.ProQuest115808108.
- ^Hopper, H. (Jun 3, 1957). "Looking at hollywood".Chicago Daily Tribune.ProQuest180217116.
- ^"Capucine Biography".Entertainment for All.
- ^abScheuer, Philip K. (Apr 23, 1964). "'Panther' Capucine Not Cold Any More: French Star Corrects Image, Discusses Holden, Marriage ".Los Angeles Times.p. C9.
- ^Martin, B. (Jul 28, 1966). "Capucine signs for 'queens'".Los Angeles Times.ProQuest155493571.
- ^Martin, Betty. (May 15, 1965). "Capucine Cast in 'Tale of the Fox'".Los Angeles Times.p. 23.
- ^"Charles K. feldman shows independence as producer".Los Angeles Times.Jul 20, 1967.ProQuest155747813.
- ^Haber, J. (Apr 30, 1973). "O'Neal's hideaway framed in irony".Los Angeles Times.ProQuest157113222.
- ^Freudenheim, M. (Aug 10, 1971). "Mason snipes at hollywood".Los Angeles Times.ProQuest156815880.
- ^"Capucine debut set".Los Angeles Times.Jun 5, 1972.ProQuest156937456.
- ^Gross, L. (Aug 13, 1983). "'PINK PANTHER' NO CURSE FOR TED WASS ".Los Angeles Times.ProQuest153564032.
- ^"OBITUARY Capucine French actress starred in motion pictures of 1960s".The Globe and Mail.21 Mar 1990. p. A.18.
- ^Capua, Michelangelo (2010).William Holden: A Biography.McFarland. p. 123.ISBN978-0-786-44440-3.
- ^"Facts > By Person > Capucine >".classicmoviehub.com.Classic Movie Hub.Retrieved28 November2024.
- ^"Profiles in History: 2018 Hollywood #997051 / Lot #1135".entertainment.ha.com.Heritage Auctions.Retrieved28 November2024.
- ^Osborne, Robert (host). "The Lion",Turner Classic Movies,November 4, 2012.
- ^Strodder, Chris (2000).Swingin' Chicks of the Sixties.Cedco Pub. p. 112.ISBN0-7683-2232-4.
- ^"French Actress, Capucine, Leaps To Her Death".Deseret News.Salt Lake City. March 20, 1990.ISSN0745-4724.Archived fromthe originalon 2019-10-31.
- ^"Capucine, 57, 'Pink Panther' Film Actress".Sun Sentinel.Mar 21, 1990. p. 7B.
External links
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