Isabelle Huppert

ISABELLE HUPPERT

Date of Birth: March 16, 1953

Isabelle Huppert was born in Paris, France, but grew up in the suburbs of Ville d'Avray. Her mother, Annick, encouraged her early start into acting. Isabelle attended the prestigious Versailles Conservatoire and also studied at the French National Academy of Dramatic Arts, France's national drama academy. She made her onscreen debut at age 18 in the TV movie Le prussien (1971). She earned a name for herself on the stage, receiving six Molière Awards for her theatrical performances.

Isabelle made her film debut in the 1972 romantic drama, Faustine et le Bel Été. Although Isabelle had a small role in the film, it was just the beginning of a very successful career in which she would play many starring roles. In 1974, Isabelle starred as Jacqueline in the highly-controversial film, Les Valsueses (Going Places), directed by Bertrand Blier. The film's sexually-charged themes and mature language were not well-received by most audiences. However, it put Isabelle on the map as she became more recognized. Her international breakthrough came in 1977's La Dentellière (The Lacemaker), in the lead role as Beatrice. The film was nominated for many awards, and Isabelle received the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles.

She would became known to U.S. audiences when she played Ella Watson in Michael Cimino's Heaven's Gate (1980). Unfortunately, the film did poorly at the box office and reeived poor reviews from critics. From the mid 1990s to early 2000s, Isabelle often collaborated with director Claude Chabrol. She appeared in many of his films, including La Cérémonie (1995), with Sandrine Bonnaire. The following year, Isabelle was honored with the prestigious Cèsar Award for Best Actress for her work in the film. She continued her cinematic relationship with Chabrol in Rien ne va plus (1997), and Merci pour le chocolat (2000). At the height of her career, Isabelle starred in many films, working in several different countries.

Isabelle was the President of the Jury at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival in 2009. She has won the award for Best Actress twice, for her films Violette Noziere (1978), and again in 2001 for The Piano Teacher. With her roots in theater, in 2013 Isabelle co-starred in Sydney Theatre Company's production of The Maids, alongside Cate Blanchett and Elizabeth Debicki.

Isabelle's roles have received high praise from critics. For her role as Nathalie in Mia Hansen-Løve's Things to Come, she received nominations and awards including, National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress, New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress. Her performance in Paul Verhoeven's Elle (2016) also earned her well-deserved attention, including a 2017 Golden Globe award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama. Her latest role is in the drama Happy End (2018).

Isabelle has been married to writer, producer and director Ronald Chammah since 1982. Together, they have three children, including Lolita Chammah, who is following in her mother's footsteps as an actress.

Filmography:

Elle (2016) Things to Come (2016) Paris Follies (2015) Abuse of Weakness (2013) Dead Man Down (2013) Amour (2012) Copacabana (2010) Me and My Sister (2004) The Piano Teacher (2001) Merci pour le Chocolat (2000) La Ceremonie (1995) La vengeance d'une femme (1990) Loulou (1980) Violette Noziere (1978) The Lacemaker (1977) Faustine et le bel été (1972)