Michelle Mercier, real name Jocelyn Yvonne Rene Mercier - one of the most famous movie actresses of the twentieth century. The actress starred in 55 movies and three TV shows. The world fame Mercier brought the role of Angelica in a series of historical films based on the novels of Anna and Serge Gollon.
Children's years and youth
The date of birth of the actress is January 1, 1939. The father of the future star was a large French pharmaceutical magnate. Jocelyn had a younger sister Michelle - a real favorite in the house. It was with her that her father had grandiose plans for the future. He had no doubt that, having matured, Michel must head his large pharmaceutical factory.
Jocelyn was a complete disappointment for parents. She was too windy and frivolous. She could flaunt for days in front of a mirror, was fond of ballet and dreamed of becoming a professional ballerina.
Suddenly grief came to their family: little Michelle died of typhus, and Jocelyn fled to London, away from parental care. Alas, the ballerina did not work out of the girl, and she was forced to return to her parents' house.
Actor career
Mercier was offered to star in the film by accident. Together with her father, she walked in the city garden, where director Denis de la Patellier and screenwriter Michel Odiar drew attention to her. The comedy "Turning the Knob" was a good start for Jocelyn in her acting career. Ironically, the producers did not like the name Jocelyn and now the actress's name is Michelle, as her prematurely deceased younger sister.
After "Turning the Knob" Mercier begins to constantly appear in the movies. Each year, pictures with her participation were released. Film critics noticed the talent of the young actress and began to speak well of her work in the cinema.
Soon Michel Mercier moved to work in the UK, and then in Italy. The actress was already known in many countries of the world, but in her native France she was practically unknown.
In 1963, director Bernard Bordery offered Michel Mercier the main role in the costumed historical film "Angelica" based on the novel by Anna and Serge Gollon. Brigitte Bardot and Catherine Deneuve have already abandoned this role. From 1964 to 1968, five full-length films of this series were released. The role of Angelica brought Michel Mercier a truly international recognition.
After "Angelica", the actress tries to move away from this on-screen image. She soon appears in the role of a prostitute in the film "Thunder of Heaven", and the killer - "Second Truth."
Mercier goes to Hollywood, but there she does not succeed. It so happened that after “Angelica” she no longer played prominent roles in the movie.
The triumphal success of films about the "Marquise of the Angels" did not affect the material well-being of the actress herself. Mercier’s fees for the role of Angelica were simply ridiculous.
Currently, the actress regularly appears at international film festivals, and in 2006 the French government awarded Michel Mercier the Order of Arts and Literature.
