Personal Info
Known For:
Acting
Birthday:
April 29, 1924
Place of Birth:
Paris, France
Social Media
Zizi Jeanmaire
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".
Known For
Filmography
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | L'Amour Fou | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) |
| 1985 | That's Dancing! | From 'Hans Christian Andersen' (archive footage) |
| 1980 | Carmen | Carmen |
| 1961 | Black Tights | The Gold Digger / Carmen |
| 1959 | Guinguette | Renée aka Guinguette |
| 1957 | Too Many Lovers | Lulu Natier |
| 1956 | Anything Goes | Gaby Duval |
| 1956 | An Evening at the Music Hall | Claudie |
| 1952 | Hans Christian Andersen | Doro |
| Year | TV Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Le monde est à vous | Self |
| 1987 | Sacrée soirée | Self |
| 1982 | Champs-Elysées | Self |
| 1975 | Numéro un | Self |
| 1975 | Numéro un | Self - Host |
| 1972 | Le Grand Échiquier | Self |
| 1972 | Le Grand Échiquier | Self - Main Guest |
| 1972 | Midi trente | Self |
| 1971 | Cadet Rousselle | Self |
| 1971 | Great Performances | Self |
| 1968 | À bout portant | Self |
| 1968 | Night-Club | Self |
| 1967 | Europarty | Self |
| 1967 | Omnibus | Self |
| 1964 | Der goldene Schuß | Self |
| 1959 | The Bell Telephone Hour | Self |
| 1959 | Discorama | Self |
| 1956 | Cinépanorama | Self |
| 1948 | The Ed Sullivan Show | Self |