Josseline Gaël was an American actor who is best known for her roles in Les Misérables, Monsieur Personne, and Coup de tête. She was born on February 4, 1917, in Paris, France, and passed away on August 10, 1995, in Saint-Michel, Charente, France.
Personal and Family Life
Born as Jeannine Augustine Jeanne Blanleuil, Josseline Gaël became known for her acting skills from a young age. She was married to Jules Berry, with whom she had a daughter named Michèle, who later became a successful art dealer. Her life took a turn when she left Berry for Antonin “Tony” Saunier, involved with the French Gestapo, which led to a controversial and troubled period in her life.
Career
Gaël started acting as a child and became well-known for her role as Cosette in the 1935 film adaptation of Les Misérables. Throughout the late 1930s, she gained popularity in both theater and film. However, her career faced a drastic decline following her involvement with Saunier and subsequent legal troubles.
Death and Legacy
Josseline Gaël died on August 10, 1995, in France. Her legacy is marked by her remarkable performances in early French cinema, although her later life was overshadowed by scandal and a ban from acting. She is remembered for her contribution to film and her roles in classic adaptations, with a notable mention in Jean Tulard’s Dictionnaire du Cinéma.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Monsieur Personne | 1936-12-04 | Josette Verneau |
| Les Misérables | 1934-02-09 | Cosette |
| Remontons les Champs-Elysées | 1938-12-02 | La Jeune Suédoise et Léone Jeune |
| Un chapeau de paille d’Italie | 1941-06-01 | Anaïs Beauperthuis |
| La Main du Diable | 1943-03-21 | Irène |
| Cœurs joyeux | 1932-12-02 | Lucette |
| Tout ça ne vaut pas l’amour | 1931-10-15 | Claire |
| Pour un sou d’amour | 1932-02-26 | Françoise |
| L’Île d’amour | 1944-05-23 | Xénia |
| Coup de tête | 1944-10-12 | Colette de Saint-Elme |
| L’Abbé Constantin | 1933-10-19 | Bettina Perceval |
| Les Amours de minuit | 1931-01-16 | Fanny |
| Monsieur Sans-Gêne | 1935-03-14 | Monique Perrochin |
| Une vie de chien | 1943-06-25 | Émilie Calumet |