born Sept. 28, 1934, Paris, France
French film actress.
She was discovered by Roger Vadim when she appeared on a magazine cover at 15 and made her film debut in 1952. Vadim crafted her "sex kitten" image for his films And God Created Woman (1956) and The Night Heaven Fell (1958), which set box-office records and made her an international star. She displayed her acting ability in such films as The Truth (1960), Contempt (1963), and Viva Maria! (1965). An animal rights activist, she established an animal welfare organization in 1987.