Maria-Hélène Schneider (27 March 1952 – 3 February 2011), known professionally as Maria Schneider, was a French actress.
She first appeared on stage in Paris at the age of 15 and then moved on to work in films, initially as an… Maria-Hélène Schneider (27 March 1952 – 3 February 2011), known professionally as Maria Schneider, was a French actress.
She first appeared on stage in Paris at the age of 15 and then moved on to work in films, initially as an extra, but had already advanced to more substantial roles by the age of 20.
Schneider was only 19 years old when she co-starred opposite Marlon Brando in Bernardo Bertolucci's controversial Last Tango in Paris (1972), which was noted for its graphic sexuality and earned its director a four-month suspeneded prison sentence. Schneider later revealed she was not informed about a simulated rape until moments before it was filmed, an event she described as deeply humiliating and which left her traumatized for years to come.
In 1975 she starred opposite Jack Nicholson in Michelangelo Antonioni's critically acclaimed The Passenger. Although the film showcased her abilities, a reputation for walking out of films during production resulted in her becoming unwelcome in the industry. However, she re-established stability in her personal and professional life in the early 1980s, and became an advocate for equality and improving the working conditions for actresses.
She continued acting in film and TV until a few years before she died in 2011 after a long illness.
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