Brigitte Bardot, French Screen Icon of the ‘50s and ‘60s, Dies at 91

The star of films like "And God Created Women" and "Contempt" rose to prominence as a silver screen sex symbol before becoming a prominent animal rights activist.

Brigitte Bardot, the French actress who rivaled Marilyn Monroe as a cinematic goddess for more than a decade, died on Sunday, December 28 at the age of 91. The actress, who became one of the definitive sex symbols of the 1950s with “And God Created Woman” (1956) and who later worked with several Nouvelle Vague directors including Jean-Luc Godard in “Contempt,” had been retired from films for nearly a half century. News of Bardot’s death was first reported by The Associated Press via a spokesperson for the Brigitte Bardot Foundation.

Born in Paris on September 28, 1934 to well-off parents, Bardot pursued interests in dancing and music as a child. She began her career as a young model, appearing on the cover of Elle magazine at just 15 years old. And it was not long before movie stardom came calling for her.

At 18 years old, she made her film debut in Willy Rozier’s “Manina, the Girl in the Bikini.” The titular role highlighted her distinctive looks and personality including long blonde hair and an attitude sometimes inadequately described as pouty. Her stature quickly rose with a series of routine films, but also appearances in “Act of Love” with Kirk Douglas, “Doctor at Sea,” a British comedy, and Robert Wise’s “Helen of Troy.”

It was “And God Created Woman,” directed by her soon-to-be husband Roger Vadim, that first gave her international stardom. The film was notable for its liberated portrayal of sexuality, including a famous scene of Bardot dancing, which also expanded the popularity of French cinema around the world.

As much as cinephiles look back at French and other European cinemas of past decades from the perspective of great films, the reality is what boosted art theaters and distributors in the late 1950s was the greater freedom in subject matters that European films provided. Though censorship led to editing — and in some cities, bans — what drove the market was a different portrayal of things related to sex.

Bardot continued to act throughout the ‘60s and early ‘70s, with notable subsequent roles including Henri-Georges Clouzot’s “The Truth” in 1960, Godard’s “Contempt” in 1963, and 1973’s “The Edifying and Joyous Story of Colinot,” which served as her final film credit.

After retiring from acting, Bardot spent much of her remaining life advocating for animal rights through her Brigitte Bardot foundation. She is survived by her son.