Zizi Jeanmaire

Zizi Jeanmaire

1924-04-29 – 2020-07-17 (age 96) Paris, France
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Biography

Zizi Jeanmaire (born Renée Marcelle Jeanmaire; 29 April 1924 – 17 July 2020) was a French ballet dancer, actress and singer. She was the widow of renowned dancer and choreographer Roland Petit. She became famous in the 1950s after playing the title role in the ballet Carmen, produced in London in 1949, and went on to appear in several Hollywood films.

She and Petit had one daughter, Valentine Petit, a dancer and actress.

Jeanmaire is mentioned in the lyrics of the song by Peter Sarstedt, "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?", in the first line: "You talk like Marlene Dietrich, and you dance like Zizi Jeanmaire / Your clothes are all made by Balmain and there's diamonds and pearls in your hair".

She is also mentioned in the lyrics of the song by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, "Nothing is Sacred", from their album Timeless Flight: "I said: "Zizi Jeanmaire wouldn't take this and neither will we / if they call me Napoleon again I'll be forced to let the lion free".

Photos

Known For

Hans Christian Andersen
That's Dancing!
That's Dancing!

1985

as From 'Hans Christian Andersen' (archive footage)

L'Amour Fou
L'Amour Fou

2010

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Too Many Lovers
Too Many Lovers

1957

as Lulu Natier

Guinguette
Guinguette

1959

as Renée aka Guinguette

Anything Goes
Anything Goes

1956

as Gaby Duval

Carmen
Carmen

1980

as Carmen

An Evening at the Music Hall
Black Tights
Black Tights

1961

as The Gold Digger / Carmen