The acclaimed and talented French actress and singer Isabelle Adjani celebrates 69 today
Adjani’s breakthrough came in 1974 with the role of Adèle Hugo in François Truffaut’s “The Story of Adèle H.,” a performance that earned her the first of five César Awards for Best Actress
The acclaimed and talented French actress and singer Isabelle Adjani celebrates 69 today
The French actress Isabelle Adjani was born Isabelle Yasmina Adjani on June 27, 1955, in Paris, France. She grew up in a multicultural household with a French-German mother and an Algerian father, which enriched her perspective and influenced her artistic expression from a young age. Raised in the suburbs of Gennevilliers, Adjani showed a remarkable talent for acting early in her life, participating in amateur theater productions during her teenage years.
Adjani’s professional acting career began in her adolescence when she joined the prestigious Comédie-Française at the age of 17. Her breakthrough came in 1974 with the role of Adèle Hugo in François Truffaut’s “The Story of Adèle H.,” a performance that earned her the first of five César Awards for Best Actress. This role established her as a prominent figure in French cinema and showcased her exceptional ability to portray complex, emotionally charged characters. During that period she also starred in “Violette et François” (1977), “Nosferatu the Vampyre” (1979) followed by a string of succesful films during the 1980’s and 1990’s including “Possession” (1981), Adjani’s haunting performance in this psychological horror film earned her a Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Award, “Camille Claudel” (1988) where her portrayal of the troubled sculptor won her a second César Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and “Queen Margot” (1994), the historical drama where Adjani’s performance as the titular character brought her another César Award for Best Actress and international acclaim.
In the 2000s and beyond, Adjani continued to work in both film and theater, maintaining her reputation for powerful performances, including roles in films such as “La Journée de la Jupe” (2008), for which she won her fifth César Award, and “Carole Matthieu” (2016).
Isabelle Adjani’s also has built a career in music beggining in the early 1980s, a period when she was already an established actress. Her debut in the music world was marked by collaboration with the legendary French singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. In 1983, she released her first album, “Pull Marine,” which featured lyrics and production by Gainsbourg. The title track, “Pull Marine,” became a notable hit in France, and its accompanying music video was directed by Luc Besson.
“Pull Marine” showcased Adjani’s ethereal voice and ability to convey deep emotion through music. The album contained a mix of pop and chanson, blending Gainsbourg’s signature style with Adjani’s unique touch. The success of the album led to several singles, including “Ohio” and “Beau Oui Comme Bowie,” which also received positive attention.
After the release of “Pull Marine,” Adjani’s music career took a backseat as she continued to focus on her flourishing acting career. However, she never entirely abandoned music. Over the years, she occasionally released singles and collaborated with other artists, maintaining a connection to the music world.
In recent years, Isabelle Adjani has revisited her musical roots. She has collaborated with contemporary artists and participated in various musical projects, showing her continued passion for the art form. In 2022, she released a new single, “Les courants d’air.” Her music has been characterized by its elegance and emotional depth.
Today, she continues to take on diverse roles in film and television, and her recent works include appearances in French films and international projects. Her latest feature film was “Wingwomen” (2023) and she will star in the upcoming Netflix series “The Perfect Couple.”
Isabelle Adjani has managed to keep much of her personal life private despite her public career. She has two sons: Barnabé Saïd-Nuytten, from her relationship with cinematographer Bruno Nuytten, and Gabriel-Kane Day-Lewis, from her relationship with actor Daniel Day-Lewis. Adjani is known for her advocacy on issues such as women’s rights and social justice, using her platform to support various causes. She has been vocal against anti-immigrant and anti-Algerian sentiments in France and in 2009, she criticized statements by Pope Benedict XVI, who claimed that condoms are not an effective method of AIDS prevention. In September 2009, she signed a petition in support of Roman Polanski, calling for his release after he was arrested in Switzerland in relation to his sexual abuse case.
Throughout her career, Adjani has been celebrated for her versatility and intensity on screen. With a career spanning over five decades, marked by her extraordinary talent and ability to bring complex characters to life, Isabelle Adjani’s contributions to cinema and theater have made her a revered figure in the arts and one of France’s greatest actresses.
Watch a fan made compilation of some of Isabelle Adjani’s best film shots
Look back at the 1984 music video for Isabelle Adjani’s song “Pull Marine” directed by Luc Besson
Watch more music related videos
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