French-Russian actress Marina Vlady died at her home surrounded by her family and beloved animals, according to a report by Le Monde. She was 88 years old. Known internationally for her work across European cinema and the French New Wave, Vlady built a career that spanned film, television, and theater projects.
Early Life and Acting Dynasty
Born Marina Catherine de Poliakoff-Baidarov in Clichy on May 10, 1938, she came from an artistic household. Her mother was Serbian and her father was from the Soviet Union who had supported the White Guard. Marina was the youngest of four sisters. All four pursued acting careers, and Marina ultimately outlived all of them. She made her film debut in Summer Storm alongside her sisters Odile and Olga before expanding her work into Italian productions, including the comedy The Infidel with Gina Lollobrigida.
Collaborations with Robert Hossein and the French New Wave
In 1955, Vlady starred alongside all three of her sisters in Sophie and the Crime. That same year, she married actor and director Robert Hossein, who provided foundational experience for her early career. She appeared in several of his projects, including You Take Me for a Fool, Wicked Go to Hell, and On the Stream, the latter of which filmed on location in Czechoslovakia. One of her most notable career roles came in The Princess of Cleves, where she acted opposite Jean Marais. She later worked with director Jean-Luc Godard during the French New Wave in Two or Three Things I Know About Her, and earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the Italian film The Queen Bee.
International Projects and Activism
Vlady also worked in English-language productions, highlighting her collaboration with Orson Welles on Falstaff as a favorite professional experience. She appeared in a remake of The Thief of Baghdad with Kabir Bedi and traveled to Germany in 1989 to shoot Follow Me, a film centered on Czechoslovak emigrants that featured actor Pavel Landovský. Aside from her screen work, Vlady was an advocate for women’s rights. She signed a petition calling for the legalization of abortion and joined partner Léon Schwartzenberg in protests against the expulsion of Arab workers from France.
Personal Life and Marriages
Vlady was married three times. Following her marriage to Robert Hossein, she wed military aviator Jean-Claude Brouillet. From 1970 to 1980, she was married to Vladimir Vysotsky, a Soviet musician. Vlady is survived by three children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Marina Vlady’s death?
Le Monde reported that Vlady died at home surrounded by her family and animals.
Who were Marina Vlady’s most famous collaborators?
She worked with cinematic figures including Orson Welles, Jean-Luc Godard, Jean Marais, and Gina Lollobrigida.
Was Marina Vlady married to Vladimir Vysotsky?
Yes, she was married to the Soviet musician from 1970 to 1980.
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