Lila Kedrova was a Russian-American actress who is best known for her roles in “Zorba the Greek,” “Torn Curtain,” and “Cabaret.” She was the first Russian actress to win an Oscar.
Personal and Family Life
Lila Kedrova was born in Petrograd, Russia, on October 9, 1909. Her father, Nikolay Kedrov Sr., was an opera singer and her mother, Sofia Gladkaya, was a renowned singer at the Mariinsky Theatre. The family fled Russia in 1922 due to the October Revolution, eventually settling in Berlin and later moving to France.
Career
Kedrova began her acting career in 1932 with the Moscow Art Theatre. She made her film debut in 1938 and worked primarily in French theatre and films until she starred in the English-language film “Zorba the Greek” in 1964, earning an Oscar for her performance. Throughout her career, she often played eccentric or strong female characters.
Death and Legacy
Lila Kedrova passed away on February 16, 2000, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, due to pneumonia, a complication related to congestive heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. After her death, her ashes were buried at the Kedrov family grave site in a Russian cemetery in Paris. Her legacy as the first Russian actress to win an Oscar continues to be celebrated.
Filmography
Title
Release Date
Character
Αλέξης Ζορμπάς
1964-12-14
Madame Hortense
Clair de femme
1979-08-29
Sonia Tovalski
Torn Curtain
1966-07-15
Countess Kuchinska
Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight