Actress Micheline Presle, doyenne of French cinema, died at the age of 101

She began her career in cinema in the 1930s, before working with the biggest names in French cinema, including her own daughter, Tonie Marshall.

She was the doyenne of French cinema. The actress Micheline Presle died on Wednesday February 21, at the age of 101, her family announced to AFP. “Micheline passed away peacefully, at the National House of Artists in Nogent-sur-Marne” in Val-de-Marne, declared his son-in-law, Olivier Bomsel, adding that the funeral would take place in privacy.

Over the course of nearly seventy years of career, Micheline Presle has filmed with the big names of French cinema, from Jacques Demy to Alain Resnais, including Claude Chabrol, Patrick Chesnais and even Edouard Molinaro and Sacha Guitry. She also starred in two films directed by her daughter, Tonie Marshall: Venus Beauty (Institute) (1999), France Shop (2003). But for many she will remain Marthe, Gérard Philipe’s playmate in The Devil in the body (1947), by Claude Autant-Lara.

“Cinema is undoubtedly the most beautiful story of my life”

PAlongside the cinema, his career also took place on the stage as well as on the small screen, where his character in the television series The Holy Darlings (1965-1971) established his popular success in the hearts of the French. Thus, Micheline Presle has long been one of the three favorite stars of the French, with Danielle Darrieux and Michèle Morgan.

“Micheline Presle was an emblematic figure of French cinema”, greeted the Académie des Césars, twenty years after having presented him with an honorary César. “Cinema is without a doubt the most beautiful story of my life,” launched the actress onto the stage at the time, after paying tribute to “young filmmakers” to whom she said she owed her “survival” And “many of its joys”.