Sarah Bernhardt was an American actress who is best known for her roles in La Dame aux Camélias, Adrienne Lecouvreur, and Les Amours de la Reine Élisabeth. Born on October 23, 1844, in Paris, France, she became one of the most celebrated stars of the stage, known for her remarkable talent and theatrical presence.
Personal and Family Life
Sarah Bernhardt was born as Henriette-Rosine Bernard and had a son named Maurice, whose father was Belgian Prince Henri de Ligne. Despite the prince’s offer to recognize him and provide a fortune, Maurice chose to keep the Bernhardt name, honoring his mother’s sacrifices. Sarah was married to Ambroise Aristide Damala from 1882 until his death in 1898. She also had a close bond with her grandchild, Lysiane Bernhardt, and her legacy continues through her family.
Death and Legacy
Sarah Bernhardt passed away on March 26, 1923, in Paris due to kidney failure. She is buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery, a site that marks her notable impact on the arts. Her life was marked by her involvement in both theater and early cinema, where she navigated her love-hate relationship with the film industry. She left behind a rich legacy as one of the first great actresses to embrace the new medium.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Ceux de chez-nous | 1915-11-22 | Self |
| Les amours de la reine Élisabeth | 1912-08-16 | Queen Elizabeth I |
| Paris 1900 | 1948-02-25 | Self (archive footage) |
| La dame aux camélias | 1912-01-02 | Marguerite Gauthier |
| Le duel d’Hamlet | 1900-05-21 | Hamlet |
| Mères françaises | 1916-01-02 | Jeanne d’Urbex |
| The House That Shadows Built | 1931-07-08 | (archive footage) |
| Ce siècle a cinquante ans | 1950-03-16 | Self (archive footage) |
| Adrienne Lecouvreur | 1913-01-01 | Adrienne Lecouvreur |
| It Happened in Paris | 1919-12-26 | |
| Le Cinéma de grand-père | 1995-01-01 | Self (archive footage) |
| Jeanne Doré | 1915-10-20 | Jeanne Doré |
| Stars of Yesterday | 1931-12-31 | Self |
| La Voyante | 1924-10-31 | Madame Gainard |
| Phono-Cinéma-Théâtre | 1900-04-28 | |
| Great Actresses of the Past | 1938-08-07 | (archive footage) |