Zizi Jeanmaire
Encyclopedia
Zizi Jeanmaire is a ballet dancer and widow of renowned dancer and choreographer Roland Petit
. She became famous in the 1950s after playing the title role in the ballet version of Carmen, produced in London in 1949, and went on to appear in several Hollywood films.
at the Paris Opera Ballet
at the age of nine. She joined his company, Petit's ballets de Paris in 1949. In 1954 they married, and their successful shows put her on the road to stardom. This led to a brief stint in Hollywood (where she was credited simply as Jeanmaire), appearing in the musicals Hans Christian Andersen
(1952) and Anything Goes
(1956). After that, she concentrated on ballet, producing more than 60 shows with Petit. From the 1960s on, she also had a career in music with such hits as "Mon truc en plumes".
She and Petit had one daughter, Valentine Petit, a dancer and actress.http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/11/arts/dance/roland-petit-choreographer-is-dead-at-87.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/entertainment-arts-14099910http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/0000248598-014/zizi-jeanmaire-with-daughter-valentine-petit/?ext=1
Roland Petit
Roland Petit was a French choreographer and dancer born in Villemomble, near Paris, France. He trained at the Paris Opéra Ballet school, and became well known for his creative ballets.-Biography:...
. She became famous in the 1950s after playing the title role in the ballet version of Carmen, produced in London in 1949, and went on to appear in several Hollywood films.
Background
Born in Paris, France, as Renée Marcelle Jeanmaire, she met her future husband and long-time collaborator Roland PetitRoland Petit
Roland Petit was a French choreographer and dancer born in Villemomble, near Paris, France. He trained at the Paris Opéra Ballet school, and became well known for his creative ballets.-Biography:...
at the Paris Opera Ballet
Paris Opera Ballet
The Paris Opera Ballet is the oldest national ballet company in the world, and many European and international ballet companies can trace their origins to it...
at the age of nine. She joined his company, Petit's ballets de Paris in 1949. In 1954 they married, and their successful shows put her on the road to stardom. This led to a brief stint in Hollywood (where she was credited simply as Jeanmaire), appearing in the musicals Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen (film)
Hans Christian Andersen is a 1952 Hollywood musical film directed by Charles Vidor, with words and music by Frank Loesser. The story was by Myles Connolly, its screenplay was by Moss Hart and Ben Hecht , and was produced by The Samuel Goldwyn Company...
(1952) and Anything Goes
Anything Goes (1956 film)
Anything Goes is a 1956 musical film adapted from the Cole Porter, Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse stage production of the same title. The book was drastically rewritten for the second film version, also by Paramount, released in 1956...
(1956). After that, she concentrated on ballet, producing more than 60 shows with Petit. From the 1960s on, she also had a career in music with such hits as "Mon truc en plumes".
She and Petit had one daughter, Valentine Petit, a dancer and actress.http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/11/arts/dance/roland-petit-choreographer-is-dead-at-87.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/entertainment-arts-14099910http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/0000248598-014/zizi-jeanmaire-with-daughter-valentine-petit/?ext=1
Filmography
- Hans Christian AndersenHans Christian Andersen (film)Hans Christian Andersen is a 1952 Hollywood musical film directed by Charles Vidor, with words and music by Frank Loesser. The story was by Myles Connolly, its screenplay was by Moss Hart and Ben Hecht , and was produced by The Samuel Goldwyn Company...
(1952) - Anything GoesAnything Goes (1956 film)Anything Goes is a 1956 musical film adapted from the Cole Porter, Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse stage production of the same title. The book was drastically rewritten for the second film version, also by Paramount, released in 1956...
(1956) - Folies-Bergère (1956)
- Too Many Lovers (1957)
- Guinguette (1959)
- Black TightsBlack TightsBlack Tights is a 1961 French film directed by Terence Young.The film is also known as Un deux trois quatre! in France .- Cast :*Zizi Jeanmaire as The Gold Digger / Carmen...
(1960)
Theater credits
- The Girl in Pink TightsThe Girl in Pink TightsThe Girl in Pink Tights is a musical comedy with music by Sigmund Romberg; lyrics by Leo Robin; and a musical book by Jerome Chodorov and Joseph Fields. The musical opened on Broadway on March 5, 1954 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre where it ran for a total of 115 performances until it closed on June...
Broadway (1954) - Can-CanCan-Can (musical)Can-Can is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, and a book by Abe Burrows. The story concerns the showgirls of the Montmartre dance halls during the 1890s....
Broadway (1981)