Maria Casares

Maria Casares Biography

Maria Casares, born María Victoria Casares y Pérez, was a celebrated Spanish-born French actress renowned for her distinguished career on the French stage and in cinema. She gained fame for her powerful performances in classic and modern plays as well as iconic films such as "Les Enfants du Paradis" and Jean Cocteau's "Orphée." Casares is remembered as one of France's most accomplished actresses, notable not only for her artistry but also for being a groundbreaking foreign-born presence in prestigious French theatre institutions.

Childhood

Maria Casares was born on November 21, 1922, in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain, to Santiago Casares Quiroga, a prominent politician who briefly served as Prime Minister of Spain, and Gloria Pérez. Her childhood was deeply affected by the Spanish Civil War, which broke out when she was 14. Due to her father's key role in the Republican government, the family was forced to flee Spain in 1936 to avoid the conflict and Franco's regime. While her father relocated to London, Maria and her mother sought refuge in Paris, marking the beginning of her lifelong connection to France.

Education

After arriving in Paris, Casares attended the Victor Duruy school where she learned French and was inspired by teachers connected to theatre to pursue acting. She took voice lessons with René Simon and later entered the prestigious Paris Conservatoire. There, she distinguished herself by winning the First Prize for tragedy and Second Prize for comedy, reflecting her exceptional talent and formal training in the dramatic arts.

Career

Maria Casares started her professional acting career in July 1942 when she was engaged by Marcel Herrand for the Théâtre des Mathurins. Over the next three years, she performed in important plays, including works by J.M. Synge and the existentialist Albert Camus, with whom she developed a close personal and professional relationship. She transitioned to film with her debut in the 1945 classic "Les Enfants du Paradis," widely regarded as one of French cinema's greatest movies. Casares continued to act in prominent films like "Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne" and Jean Cocteau’s "Orphée," famously portraying Death.

By the 1950s, Casares increasingly devoted herself to the stage, joining influential theater companies such as the Festival d'Avignon, Comédie-Française (where she was the first foreign-born actress to perform), and Théâtre National Populaire. She toured worldwide, bringing to life renowned roles in classical and modern French theatre, including "Le Cid" and "Le Triomphe de l'Amour" on Broadway. Her career spanned decades until she was nominated for a César Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1989 for the film "La Lectrice."

Family Life

Maria Casares was married to André Schlesser in 1978, a union that lasted until his death in 1985. She did not have children. Throughout her life, she had notable relationships, including a passionate affair with the philosopher and writer Albert Camus, which was both a personal and artistic influence on her. Her upbringing in a politically active family and her exile during youth shaped much of her worldview and artistic depth.

Achievements

Casares is celebrated as one of the foremost actresses of French theatre and cinema in the 20th century. She won top awards at the Paris Conservatoire early in her education and later became a pioneering figure as a foreign-born performer at the Comédie-Française. In 1988, she received the Molière Prize for best comedienne, and in 1990, she was awarded the National Grand Prix of Theater. Her film work includes iconic roles that have remained influential and her stage work spanned classical and contemporary roles, marking her as a versatile and deeply respected performer.

Controversies

Maria Casares's life was mostly marked by artistic acclaim rather than public controversies. However, her exile from Spain due to the civil war and her father’s political standing placed her at the crossroads of political upheaval and personal displacement, influencing her career trajectory and public perception. Her open, long-term affair with Albert Camus, though well-known in artistic circles, was considered bold for the time but did not result in major scandals.

Maria Casares Summary

Maria Casares was a distinguished actress of Spanish origin who became a defining figure in French theatre and cinema. Escaping civil war displacement, she flourished through rigorous training and a versatile career on stage and screen. Casares broke cultural barriers as a foreign-born star at the Comédie-Française and left a lasting legacy marked by profound performances in classic and modern works. Her life intertwined art and politics, reflecting a unique journey from exile to theatrical acclaim until her death in 1996.