Marpessa Dawn
ActingAbout Marpessa Dawn
Marpessa Dawn (January 3, 1934 — August 25, 2008), also known as Gypsy Marpessa Dawn Menor was an American-born French actress, singer, and dancer. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania of African-American and Filipino heritage, she is best-remembered for her role as "Eurydice" in the film Black Orpheus. She and her fellow lead from that film, Brazilian actor Breno Mello, died just 42 days apart in 2008, both from heart attacks.
Marpessa Dawn Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Marpessa Dawn reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 11 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Marpessa Dawn's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 9% of Marpessa Dawn's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Black Orpheus, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Marpessa Dawn Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Marpessa Dawn's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Marpessa Dawn has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Private Collections | a siren | Average | Similar → |
| 1974 | Sweet Movie | Mama Communa | Flop | Similar → |
| 1972 | Boubou cravate | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1970 | Le Bal du comte d'Orgel | Marie | Flop | Similar → |
| 1966 | Chérie Noire | Chérie | Flop | Similar → |
| 1963 | 38-24-36 | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1961 | The Secret of the Blue Men | Malika | Flop | Similar → |
| 1959 | Black Orpheus | Eurydice | Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | Womaneater | Native Girl | Flop | Similar → |
| 1957 | Élisa | Negress | Flop | Similar → |
| 1955 | Africa on the Seine | - | Flop | Similar → |
Marpessa Dawn - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Marpessa Dawn?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Marpessa Dawn is "Black Orpheus" with a rating of 7.0/10.
How many movies has Marpessa Dawn acted in?
Marpessa Dawn has been featured in at least 11 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Marpessa Dawn?
Other notable films include "Private Collections", "Africa on the Seine", and "Sweet Movie".