Zizi Jeanmaire
ActingAbout Zizi Jeanmaire
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".
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Zizi Jeanmaire reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 9 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Music
The majority of Zizi Jeanmaire's filmography leans towards the Music genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 33% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Zizi Jeanmaire remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Carmen, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Zizi Jeanmaire Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Zizi Jeanmaire's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Zizi Jeanmaire.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | L'Amour Fou | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | That's Dancing! | From 'Hans Christian Andersen' (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | Carmen | Carmen | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | Black Tights | The Gold Digger / Carmen | Average | Similar → |
| 1959 | Guinguette | Renée aka Guinguette | Average | Similar → |
| 1957 | Too Many Lovers | Lulu Natier | Average | Similar → |
| 1956 | An Evening at the Music Hall | Claudie | Flop | Similar → |
| 1956 | Anything Goes | Gaby Duval | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | Hans Christian Andersen | Doro | Average | Similar → |
Zizi Jeanmaire - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Zizi Jeanmaire?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Zizi Jeanmaire is "Carmen" with a rating of 8.0/10.
How many movies has Zizi Jeanmaire acted in?
Zizi Jeanmaire has been featured in at least 9 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Zizi Jeanmaire?
Other notable films include "That's Dancing!", "L'Amour Fou", and "Hans Christian Andersen".