Biografia

Speaks French fluently and often stars in French films.

Her father Godfrey won silver in the 4x400m relay at the 1932 Olympics, and gold in the 4x400m relay at the 1936 Olympics. He died on 20 June 2009 at age 100.

The character she played in François Ozon's Swimming Pool - À Beira da Piscina (2003), "Sarah Morton", was named after her elder sister, Sarah, who committed suicide at age 23. She told The Guardian, "I thought that after such a very long time of not letting her be with me that I would like to bring her back into my life".

Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#97).

Became a Dame of France's Legion d'Honneur in 2002.

[on her tendency to play villainous roles] I'd rather be thought of like that than to play Mary Poppins.

Difficult acting with a chimp? No, no. The emotions were the same. In a way it was like playing opposite Paul Newman. The chimpanzee reacted differently, that's all.

Oh, directors want me to be really stern sometimes. They like that quality in a woman. They find it compelling.

I didn't allow myself to have fun for a very long time, for all sorts of reasons. What's happened now is that I've lived through that, and I've come to a point where I can say that. I can feel happy too!

I'm just amazed. I'm glad to be alive, because I know what it's like not to want to be here, and glad that young directors want to put me in fantastic films. So say no more.