Anouk Aimée, French star of ‘A Man and a Woman’ and ‘La Dolce Vita,’ dies at 92

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As a movie lover with a deep appreciation for the history of cinema, Anouk Aimée’s passing is a significant loss for me. Her elegant and sophisticated presence graced the silver screen for seven decades, leaving an indelible mark on film history.

The renowned French actress Anouk Aimée, famous for her roles in “A Man and a Woman,” “La Dolce Vita,” and “Lola,” has passed away at the age of 92.

Manuela Papatakis, the actress’s daughter, announced on Instagram that her mother, Aimée, passed away in Paris on Tuesday morning. No information about the cause of death was provided.

Aimee, originally named Nicole Françoise Florence Dreyfus, was born on April 27, 1932, in Paris to parents Geneviève Sorya and Henry Murray who were actors. At the age of 14, she made her film debut appearing as Anouk in “The House Under the Sea” (La maison sous la mer). Afterward, she adopted this character name for herself and later added “Aimée,” meaning “beloved,” to it during the late 1940s to align her personal identity with her acting career.

As a passionate cinema lover, I’ve always admired this remarkable actor for her undeniable “cool” and “sophisticated beauty.” Over the course of seven decades, she graced the silver screen in almost ninety films, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Among her many unforgettable performances, there are a few that truly stand out.

Another noteworthy film by her is “La Dolce Vita” from 1960, followed by “8½,” directed by Federico Fellini in 1963. She also starred in “Lola” in 1961, as well as “Justine” in 1969, “The Tragedy of a Ridiculous Man” in 1981, and “Ready to Wear” in 1994.

The international success of “A Man and a Woman” completely mystified Aimee at the time.

In an interview with The Times in 2002, Aimee recalled, “At the Golden Globes, I distinctly remember seeing Fred Astaire. Then John Wayne approached me for a conversation. Groucho Marx was there as well. As children, we idolized these individuals. Now, they’re acknowledging me with applause. It all seems surreal and incorrect to me.”

Even so, she expressed profound gratitude for her adoring reception in the States.

She expressed her amazement by saying, “It was astonishing. It was an extraordinary journey.” Regarding her experiences in America, she admitted, “I have to acknowledge a significant debt to American films. The reception I’ve always received here has been warm and welcoming. I am among the Europeans who cherish being in America.”

Aimée went through four marriages in her life. Her first husband was Edouard Zimmermann from 1949 to 1950. Next, she wed filmmaker Nikos Papatakis from 1951 to 1954, and they had a daughter named Manuela together. After that, she married Pierre Barouh from 1966 to 1969, who acted as her deceased husband in “A Man and a Woman.” Lastly, Aimée married British actor Albert Finney from 1970 to 1978. Finney passed away in 2019, Papatakis in 2010, and Barouh in 2016.

As a movie lover, I’d put it this way: I’m saddened to share that Aimée, whose acting skills graced the silver screen, leaves behind her proud legacy. Her daughter, who once followed in her footsteps with a brief acting career, carries on her mother’s memory. Additionally, her granddaughter Galaad and great-granddaughter Mila continue to add warmth and life to our world, just as Aimée once did through her art.

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2024-07-18 18:52