Marie Laforêt

Marie Laforêt was a French actress and singer, known for her roles in films like Plein soleil, The Girl with the Golden Eyes, and Saint-Tropez Blues. She gained fame in the 1960s and is celebrated for both her acting and her distinctively powerful voice.

Personal and Family Life

Marie Laforêt was born Maïtena Doumenach on October 5, 1939, in Soulac-sur-Mer, France. She faced early trauma when she was raped at the age of three, which caused her to struggle with speech for some time. Despite this, she worked hard to overcome her shyness and later pursued acting, taking classes and winning a talent contest at the age of twenty. Marie was married five times and had three children, although all her marriages ended in divorce.

Career Highlights

Marie became a well-known actress during the French New Wave and rose to fame with her role in Plein soleil in 1960. She transitioned from acting to music, achieving success with hits like “Avant Toi.” Marie’s music career thrived as she recorded many popular songs and covered classics by Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones. She later expanded her repertoire to include various musical influences, but she voiced dissatisfaction with her career in pop music.

Death and Legacy

Marie Laforêt passed away on November 2, 2019, in Genolier, Switzerland, at the age of 80. Her legacy lives on through her contributions to film and music, leaving behind a significant impact on French cinema and popular music. Fans remember her for her unique voice and the emotional depth she infused into her performances.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
Plein soleil 1960-03-10 Marge Duval
La fille aux yeux d’or 1961-09-01 La fille
Saint-Tropez Blues 1961-07-21 Anne-Marie Brémond
Dark Journey 1961-11-01 Angele
Joyous Pâques 1984-10-24 Sophie Margelle
Le soldatesse 1965-07-17 Eftikia
Les bureaux de Dieu 2008-11-05 Martine
A che punto è la notte 1994-04-07 Chantel Guidi
Les diplômés du dernier rang 1982-08-18 Dominique