Edwige Feuillere
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Bibliography
Biography
A cool, reserved beauty of the French stage, Edwige Feuillere was noted for her sophisticated demeanor that was particularly suited to costume dramas. Born in France as Edwige Caroline Kunati, she spent most of WWI living in Italy while her father served in the Italian army. After the war, the family settled in Dijon where she began acting in school plays. By 1928, she had enrolled at the Paris Conservatoire and began her career billed as Cora Lynn. After her marriage to Pierre Feuillere, she adopted his surname and began to make inroads on stage. It was a 1939 production of "La Dame aux Camelias" which solidified her stage reputation, but by then, the actress had already created a stir in films. In the title role of Abel Gance's "Lucrece Borgia" (1935), Feuillere engendered controversy for a brief nude scene. Following her stage triumph in the Dumas work, she went on to create a number of unforgettable roles including the Queen in Jean Cocteau's "L'Aigle a deux tetes/The Eagle With Two Heads" (which she recreated in the 1948 film version) and a femme fatale in "Partage de Midi," opposite Jean-Louis Barrault. She continued to act onstage and in the occasional film until her official retirement in 1992.
Life Events
1930
Stage acting debut, billed as Cora Lynn
1931
Debut with Comedie-Francaise in "Le Marriage de Figaro"
1931
Appeared in the short film "La Fine combine"
1931
Feature film debut, "Cordon-bleu"
1933
Left Comedie-Francaise
1935
Had title role in Abel Gance's "Lucrece Borgia"; created a scandal because of breif nudity
1937
Cast as a spy opposite Erich von Stroheim in "Marthe Richard au service de la France"
1939
Appeared on stage as Marguerite Gautier in "La Dame aux Camelias"
1946
Earned praise for her film role in "L'Idiot"
1947
Reprised stage role as the Queen in "The Eagle with Two Heads"; part written especially for her by Jean Cocteau
1947
Had stage triumph in "Partage du Midi" opposite Jean-Louis Barrault
1951
London stage debut with Jean-Louis Barrault Company in "Partage de Midi"
1957
Returned to London stage with own theatrical company in "La dame aux camelias", "La Parisienne", "La carosse du Saint-Sacrement" and "Phedre"
1960
More or less retired from films to concentrate on stage work
1965
Created lead role in Jean Giradoux's "The Madwoman of Chaillot"
1974
Had featured role in Patrice Chereau's "La Chair de l'Orchide"
1977
Published first memoir "Les Feux de la memoire"
1984
Announced retirement; later rescinded announcement and continued to appear on stage
1993
Final film, "La Dame de Lieu-dit"
Companions
