Maria Schneider
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
This sultry brunette actress began appearing in secondary parts in 1969 but came to prominence opposite Marlon Brando in Bernardo Bertolucci's study of existential eroticism, "Last Tango in Paris" (1972). Schneider also starred opposite Jack Nicholson in Antonioni's "The Passenger" (1975) before her career was tarnished by scandal and drug use. Her high profile relationship with American heiress Joan Townsend had a negative effect as well, and her subsequent career consisted of mostly undistinguished, low-budget European films along the lines of "Memoirs of a French Whore" (1979) and "Mamma Dracula" (1980). In 1992, Schneider appeared in the controversial French film "Les Nuits fauve" ("Savage Nights") and was tapped by Franco Zeffirelli to play Mrs. Rochester in "Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre" (1996). More recently, she was featured as a woman who has faith in miracles in "Something to Believe In" (1998). The last movie she appeared in, director Guillaume Nicloux's "The Key," was released in 2007. Schneider passed away at age 59 after a long battle with cancer on Feb. 3, 2011.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Cast (Short)
Life Events
1969
Made feature acting debut in "Cesar Grand Blaise"
1973
Gained international prominence starring opposite Marlon Brando in Bernardo Bertolucci's "Last Tango in Paris"
1975
Appeared opposite Jack Nicholson in "The Passenger"
1984
Made her TV debut in "Buio Nella Valle"
1992
Had featured role in the controversial French film "Savage Nights"
1996
Appeared as Mrs. Rochester in "Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre"
1998
Co-starred in "Something to Believe In"
Family
Companions
