Françoise Arnoul (born Françoise Annette Marie Mathilde Gautsch; 3 June 1931 – 20 July 2021) was a French actress who achieved popularity during the 1950s.

Early life

Born in Constantine, French Algeria, the daughter of stage actress Janine Henry and artillery general Charles Gautsch; she had two brothers. While her father continued military service in Morocco, the rest of the family moved to Paris, Provisional Government of the French Republic, in 1945.

Career

After studying drama in Paris, she was noticed by director Willy Rozier, who offered her a major role in the film L'Épave (1949). Arnoul starred in such films as Henri Verneuil's Forbidden Fruit (1952), Jean Renoir's French Cancan (1954), People of No Importance (1956) with Jean Gabin, Henri Decoin's The Cat (1958), Way of Youth (1959) with Bourvil, and Jean Cocteau's Testament of Orpheus (1960). Her American film debut came in Companions of the Night (1954). Later in life, she moved into television, appearing in various TV movies and mini-series and also turning to character parts. She published her autobiography entitled Animal doué de bonheur in 1995.

Personal life

In 1956, Arnoul married publicity agent Georges Cravenne, whom she had met two years previously; they separated in 1960. From 1964 on, she became the companion of French director/scriptwriter Bernard Paul, a relationship which lasted until his death in 1980. Arnoul died on 20 July 2021 in Paris, aged 90.

Selected filmography