Madeleine Renaud

Renaud, Madeleine (1900-94). French actress, cofounder in 1946 with Jean-Louis Barrault of the Compagnie Renaud-Barrault. After a brilliant début as a classical actress at the Comédie-Française before World War II, under Barrault's direction she became the leading interpreter of modern and avant-garde playwrights, from Claudel in the 1940s, Ionesco and Beckett in the 1960s, to Duras in the 1970s.

— David Whitton

• Born: Feb 21, 1900 in Paris, France
• Died: Sep 23, 1994 in Paris, France
• Occupation: Actor
• Active: '30s-'40s, '60s-'70s
• Major Genres: Comedy Drama, Drama
• Career Highlights: Maria Chapdelaine, Le Ciel Est à Vous, Lumière d'Été
• First Major Screen Credit: Vent Debout (1923)

Biography

Stage actress Madeleine Renaud began making film appearances in 1922, attaining full stardom in the 1930s with such films as Maria Chapdelaine (in the title role in 1934). With her second husband, actor Jean-Louis Barrault, she formed the celebrated Compagnie Renaud-Barrault theatrical troupe in 1948. Thereafter, she appeared only sporadically in films, usually in showcase character roles. Along with several other noted French actors, Madeleine Renaud appeared in a cameo role in 1962's The Longest Day, playing a fearless Mother Superior. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Longest Day Buy this Movie

La Maternelle Buy this Movie

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