Zizi Jeanmaire
Actor
Biography
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".
Filmography
L'Amour Fou
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited) 2010
Anything Goes
as Gaby Duval 1956
That's Dancing!
as From 'Hans Christian Andersen' (archive footage) 1985
Black Tights
as The Gold Digger / Carmen 1961
Guinguette
as Renée aka Guinguette 1959
Too Many Lovers
as Lulu Natier 1957
An Evening at the Music Hall
as Claudie 1956