Marie Bell

Marie Bell
Born Marie-Jeanne Bellon
23 December 1900
Bègles, France
Died 14 August 1985 (aged 84)
Occupation Tragedian, comic actor, stage director
Spouse(s) Jean Chevrier

Marie Bell (23 December 1900 – 14 August 1985), born Marie-Jeanne Bellon, was a French tragedian, comic actor and stage director. She was the director of the Théâtre du Gymnase in Paris from 1962 onwards, and this theatre now bears her name.

Best known as a classical actress, she was not afraid of also appearing in pieces of avant-garde theatre, Jean Genet in particular.

Her interpretation of the role of Phèdre is highly noted : "Voir Marie Bell dans Phèdre est une chance unique pour quiconque veut savoir ce qu'est le génie français." André Malraux [1]

During the German Occupation of France (1940–1944), she participated in the French resistance as one of nine directors of the Front national du théâtre.[2] She is buried in Monaco with her husband Jean Chevrier, not far from the tomb of Josephine Baker.

Filmography

Notes

  1. ↑ "Seeing Marie Bell in Phèdre is a unique opportunity for anyone who wants to know what is the French genius." Cited in L'Avant-Scène n°342 (October 1965)
  2. ↑ Marie-Agnès Joubert, La Comédie-Française sous l’Occupation, Paris, Tallandier, 1998, p. 353.

External links