Corinne Clery

Corinne Clery Biography

Corinne Clery, born Corinne Marie Madeleine Geneviève Pierrette Picolo on March 23, 1950, near Paris in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, is a celebrated French actress. She gained fame primarily for her lead role in the controversial 1975 erotic film "Story of O," which sparked international attention for its daring portrayal of BDSM themes. She is also widely recognized as a Bond girl, playing Corinne Dufour in the 1979 James Bond film "Moonraker." Over the decades, Clery has nurtured a versatile career in French and Italian cinema, becoming a notable figure in both industries.

Childhood

Corinne Clery was born and raised in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris. She started her career very young, adopting the pseudonym Corinne Piccoli before ultimately becoming known as Corinne Clery. Notably, her early years were marked by a traumatic accident at age 15 when a jealous ex-boyfriend threw a firecracker that injured her eye, seriously impacting her vision. Despite this adversity, she persevered and launched a successful career in acting.

Education

Specific details about Corinne Clery’s formal education and training in acting are limited in public sources. However, she began acting as a teenager in the late 1960s, which indicates that she cultivated her skills through early and continuous professional experience in film rather than formal academic training in the arts.

Career

Clery started her film career in the late 1960s under the name Corinne Piccoli. She first gained prominence with the film "Les Poneyttes" at age 17, during which she met and married DJ Hubert Wayaffe. Her breakout role was in the 1975 film "Story of O," which brought international notoriety due to its erotic and controversial content. She further expanded her international presence with her role as Corinne Dufour in the 1979 James Bond film "Moonraker," where she performed her own stunts. Following her Bond appearance, she acted extensively in Italian cinema with notable roles in films like "The Con Artists," "Hitch Hike," "The Humanoid," and "Yor, the Hunter from the Future." Clery also participated in Italian television, including the reality show Grande Fratello VIP in 2017.

Family Life

Clery married film producer Hubert Wayaffe at the age of 17, with whom she had a son, Alexandre. Their relationship ended, and she later married decorator Beppe Ercole in 2004, who passed away in 2010. She experienced a romantic relationship with Angelo Costabile in 2017. Corinne’s relationship with her son Alexandre has been strained for several years. Alexandre is her only child, and she is also a grandmother. In addition to her biological son, she has a stepson, Edoardo Ercole, from her second marriage.

Achievements

Corinne Clery’s career spans over five decades, making her an iconic figure in French and Italian cinema. Her lead role in "Story of O" remains one of the most memorable and controversial in erotic film history, while her Bond girl role in "Moonraker" secured her a lasting place in pop culture. She managed to maintain a steady career despite early personal hardships and was notable for performing stunts herself in her films. Clery also successfully transitioned between film and television, appearing in Italian popular shows and continuing her acting career well into the 21st century.

Controversies

The 1975 film "Story of O" was highly controversial due to its explicit depiction of BDSM themes, leading to bans in several countries and widespread debate about its content. This notoriety cast a lasting shadow over Clery’s early career but also propelled her into international fame. Additionally, her turbulent personal relationships and publicized family estrangements have been topics covered in the media, adding to her complex public persona.

Corinne Clery Summary

Corinne Clery is a French actress best known for her groundbreaking role in "Story of O" and her role as a Bond girl in "Moonraker." Born in 1950 near Paris, she overcame significant personal adversity to build a long-lasting career in film and television across France and Italy. Despite personal challenges in her family life, Clery has achieved lasting recognition for her contributions to cinema. Her roles continue to captivate audiences, marking her as a memorable figure in European entertainment history.