Leslie Caron Biography
Leslie Caron is a French American actress and dancer who was born and brought up in Boulogne-sur-Seine, Paris, France. She is widely known for her roles in Gigi as Gigi, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Lorraine Delmas, The L-Shaped Room as Jane Fosset, The Man Who Lived at the Ritz as Coco Chanel, Chocolat as Madame Audel, and in The Ring as Madame de Saint Marne.
She began her career as a ballet dancer in Paris and later moved to the United States to pursue a career in acting. Caron has continued to work as a dancer and has performed in numerous stage productions, including “Cinderella” and “The Nutcracker.” She has also published a memoir titled “Thank Heaven: A Memoir” (2010) which details her life and career.
10 Quick Facts About Leslie Caron
- Name: Leslie Claire Margaret Caron
- Age: 92 Years (As of 2023)
- Birthday: 1 July
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
- Height: 5 feet 1 inches (1.55 m)
- Nationality: French American
- Occupation: Actress and Dancer
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Salary: Under Review
- Net worth: $10 Million
Leslie Caron Age
Caron is 92 years old as of 2023, she was born on 1 July 1931, in Boulogne-sur-Seine, Paris, France. She celebrates her birthday on 1 July every year and her birth sign is Cancer.
Leslie Caron Height
Caron stands at a height of 5 feet 1 inches (1.55 m). Her body measurements are 33-25-35 inches.
Leslie Caron Weight
Caron Weighs 52 kg (115 lbs). She has blue eyes and brown hair.
Early Life and Education
Caron was born on July 1, 1931, in Boulogne-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France. She was the youngest of three children of a French father and an American mother. Her parents divorced when she was young, and Caron was raised primarily by her mother.
Caron began studying ballet at a young age and eventually trained at the Ballet de l’Opéra National de Paris. She made her debut with the company at the age of 16 and quickly became a rising star. In 1948, she was chosen by choreographer Roland Petit to dance with his company, Les Ballets de Paris.
Caron’s success as a ballet dancer led to opportunities in film. In 1950, she made her acting debut in the French film “An American in Paris” and received critical acclaim for her performance. She then moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in acting, while continuing to work as a dancer.
Rise to Fame
Caron’s rise to fame began when she moved to Hollywood in the early 1950s. Her first major role in Hollywood was in the musical film “An American in Paris” (1951), directed by Vincente Minnelli and starring Gene Kelly.
Caron played the role of Lise Bouvier, a French ballet dancer who becomes the love interest of Kelly’s character. The film was a critical and commercial success and won several Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Caron’s success in “An American in Paris” led to more high-profile film roles, including the lead role in the musical “Lili” (1953), for which she received her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She also starred in the romantic comedy “Daddy Long Legs” (1955) opposite Fred Astaire, and the drama “The Man Who Understood Women” (1959) with Henry Fonda.
However, it was her performance in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical “Gigi” (1958) that cemented Caron’s status as a Hollywood icon. She played the title role of Gigi, a young Parisian girl being groomed for a life as a courtesan.
The film was a critical and commercial success and won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Caron received another Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance in the film.
Caron’s success in Hollywood allowed her to continue pursuing her passion for dance. She appeared in several stage productions throughout her career, including “On Your Toes” (1954) and “Cinderella” (1965). She also continued to act in films and on television, with notable roles in “Father Goose” (1964) and “Madame Sousatzka” (1988).
Leslie Caron Family, Parents
Caron was born to her parents Margaret (née Petit) and Claude Caron in Boulogne-sur-Seine. Her mother Margaret, was a Franco-American dancer on Broadway, and her father Claude, was a French chemist, pharmacist, perfumer, and boutique owner.
Leslie Caron Siblings
Caron spent her childhood with her older sibling brother named Aimery Caron. Aimery followed their father and became a chemist.
Leslie Caron Husband
In September 1951, Caron married American George Hormel II, a grandson of the founder of the Hormel meat-packing company. They divorced in 1954.
During that period, while under contract to MGM, she lived in Laurel Canyon, in a Normandie style 1927 mansion, near the country store on Laurel Canyon Blvd. One bedroom was all mirrored for her dancing rehearsals.
Her second husband was British theatre director Peter Hall (1956).
Caron had an affair with Warren Beatty (1961). When she and Hall divorced in 1965, Beatty was named as a co-respondent and was ordered by the London court to pay the costs of the case.
In 1969, Caron married Michael Laughlin, the producer of the film Two-Lane Blacktop; they divorced in 1980. Her son-in-law is Glenn Wilhide, the producer, and screenwriter.
Caron was also romantically linked to Dutch television actor Robert Wolders from 1994 to 1995.
Leslie Caron Children
They had two children with Peter Hall: Christopher John Hall (TV producer) in 1957 and Jennifer Caron Hall, a writer, painter, and actress, in 1958.
Leslie Caron Net Worth
Caron has an estimated net worth of $10 million dollars as of 2023. This includes her assets, money and income. Her primary source of income is her career as an actress and dancer. Through her various sources of income, Leslie has been able to accumulate a good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Leslie Caron Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Leslie.
Leslie Caron Wikipedia
- Full Names: Leslie Claire Margaret Caron
- Popular As: Leslie
- Gender: Female
- Occupation / Profession: Actress and Dancer
- Nationality: French American
- Race / Ethnicity: Not Available
- Religion: Not Known
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Leslie Caron Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 92 years (2023)
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
- Date of Birth: 1 July 1931
- Place of Birth: Boulogne-sur-Seine, Paris, France
- Birthday: 1 July
Leslie Caron Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: 33-25-35 inches
- Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 1 inches (1.55 m)
- Weight: 52 kg (115 lbs)
- Eye Color: Blue
- Hair Color: Brown
- Shoe Size: 7 (US)
- Dress Size: Not Available
- Breast Size: 33 inches
- Waist Size: 25 inches
- Hip Size: 35 inches
Leslie Caron Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Claude Caron
- Mother: Margaret (née Petit)
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Aimery Caron
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Husband/Spouse: Michael Laughlin (1969–1980), Peter Hall (1956–1965), Geordie Hormel (1951–1955)
- Dating / Boyfriend: Single (it is either Dating/Girlfriend or Dating/Boyfriend Not both. Use Not Applicable if the personality is married)
- Children: Sons (Christopher Hall) Daughter(s) (Jennifer Caron Hall)
Leslie Caron Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $10 Million
- Salary: Under Review
- Source of Income: Actress and Dancer
Leslie Caron Career
Caron started her career as a ballerina. Gene Kelly discovered her in the Roland Petit company “Ballet des Champs Elysées [fr]” and cast her to appear opposite him in the musical An American in Paris (1951), a role in which a pregnant Cyd Charisse was originally cast.
This role led to a long-term MGM contract and a sequence of films which included the musical The Glass Slipper (1955) and the drama The Man with a Cloak (1951), with Joseph Cotten and Barbara Stanwyck. Still, Caron has said of herself: “Unfortunately, Hollywood considers musical dancers as hoofers. Regrettable expression.”
With her new son, Christopher, and co-star Maurice Chevalier on the set of Gigi (1958)
She also starred in the successful musicals Lili (1953), with Mel Ferrer; Daddy Long Legs (1955), with Fred Astaire, and Gigi (1958) with Louis Jourdan and Maurice Chevalier.
In 1953, Caron was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her starring role in Lili. For her performance in the British drama The L-Shaped Room (1962), she won the BAFTA Award for Best British Actress and Golden Globe awards and was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar.
In the 1960s and thereafter, Caron worked in European films, as well. Her later film assignments included Father Goose (1964), with Cary Grant; Ken Russell’s Valentino (1977), in the role of silent-screen legend Alla Nazimova; and Louis Malle’s Damage (1992).
Sometime in 1970, Caron was one of the many actresses considered for the lead role of Eglantine Price in Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks, losing the role to British actress Angela Lansbury.
In 1967, she was a member of the jury of the 5th Moscow International Film Festival. In 1989, she was a member of the jury at the 39th Berlin International Film Festival.
Caron has continued to act, appearing in the film Chocolat (2000). During the 1980s, she appeared in several episodes of the soap opera Falcon Crest as Nicole Sauguet. She is one of the few actresses from the classic era of MGM musicals who are still active in the film—a group that includes Rita Moreno, Margaret O’Brien, and June Lockhart.
Her other later credits include Funny Bones (1995) with Jerry Lewis and Oliver Platt; The Last of the Blonde Bombshells (2000) with Judi Dench and Cleo Laine; and Le Divorce (2003), directed by James Ivory, with Kate Hudson and Naomi Watts.
On 30 June 2003, Caron traveled to San Francisco to appear as the special guest star in The Songs of Alan Jay Lerner: I Remember It Well, a retrospective concert staged by San Francisco’s 42nd Street Moon Company.
In 2007, her guest appearance on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit earned her a 2007 Primetime Emmy Award. On 27 April 2009, Caron traveled to New York as an honored guest at a tribute to Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe at the Paley Center for Media.
For her contributions to the film industry, Caron was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 8 December 2009 with a motion pictures star located at 6153 Hollywood Boulevard. In February 2010, she played Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, which also featured Greta Scacchi and Lambert Wilson.
In 2016, Caron appeared in the ITV television series The Durrells as the Countess Mavrodaki.
Leslie Caron The Durrells
The Durrells in Corfu’s Leslie Caron
It’s wonderful seeing the lovely Leslie Caron back on our screens in The Durrells in Corfu, in which she plays Countess Mavrodaki.
The 85-year-old diminutive (she’s just 5′ 1″ tall) actress is one of the oldest living Hollywood stars. She’s the second earliest surviving recipient of a Best Actress Oscar nomination (the first being 91-year-old Olivia de Havilland) and at the age of 75 won an Emmy award for her portrayal of an elderly woman and cosseted rape victim in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Leslie Caron Gigi
Leslie Caron remembers the classic, colorful MGM musical, more than half a century after its debut. By. Patrick Monahan. May 14, 2018. French actress Leslie Caron in the title role of Gigi.
Leslie Caron Movies and TV Shows
Movies
- 1951 – An American in Paris Lise Bouvier
- 1952 -Glory Alley Angela Evans
- 1953 – Lili Lili Daurier
- 1955 – The Glass Slipper Ella
- 1956 – Gaby Gaby
- 1958 – Gigi Gigi
- 1959 – The Man Who Understood Women Ann Garantier
- 1960 – Austerlitz Mlle de Vaudey
- 1961 – Fanny Fanny
- 1962 – The L-Shaped Room Jane Fosset
- 1964 – Father Goose Catherine
- 1965 – A Very Special Favor Dr. Lauren Boullard
- 1966 – Is Paris Burning? Françoise Labé
- 1967 – Il padre di famiglia Paola, Marco’s wife
- 1970 – Madron Sister Mary
- 1971 – Chandler Katherine Creighton
- 1976 – Surreal Estate Céleste
- 1977 – The Man Who Loved Women Véra
- 1978 – Crazed Nicole
- 1979 – Goldengirl Dr. Sammy Lee
- 1980 – All Stars Lucille Berger
- 1981 – Chanel Solitaire uncredited
- 1982 – Imperative Mother
- 1984 – Dangerous Moves Henia Liebskind
- 1990 – Courage Mountain Jane Hillary
- 1992 – Damage Elizabeth Prideaux
- 1995 – Funny Bones Katie Parker
- 1999 – The Reef Regine De Chantelle
- 2000 – Chocolat Madame Audel
- 2003 – Le Divorce Suzanne de Persand
- 2017 -The Perfect Age Marguerite short movie
- 2020 – A Christmas Carol The Ghost of Christmas Past (voice)
TV Shows
- 1959 – ITV Play of the Week Thérèse Tarde
- 1968 – Off to See the Wizard Ella
- 1973 – Carola Carola Janssen
- 1974 – QB VII Angela Kelno
- 1978 – Docteur Erika Werner Erika Werner
- 1980 – Kontrakt [fr] Penelope
- 1981 – Mon meilleur Noël La Nuit
- 1982 – Tales of the Unexpected Nathalie Vareille
- 1983 – Cinéma 16 Alice
- 1984 – Master of the Game Solange Dunas
- 1986 – The Love Boat Mrs. Duvall
- 1987 – Falcon Crest Nicole Sauget
- 1988 – Lenin: The Train Nadia
- 1994 – Normandy: The Great Crusade Osmont, Mary-Louise (voice)
- 1996 – The Ring Madame de Saint Marne
- 2000 – The Last of the Blonde Bombshells Madeleine
- 2001 – Murder on the Orient Express Sra. Alvarado
- 2006 – Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Lorraine Delmas
- 2013 – Jo Josette Lenoir
- 2016–2018 – The Durrells Countess Mavrodaki
Notable Travel, Events, and Experiences
Leslie’s career and personal life have taken her to many different parts of the world and given her the opportunity to experience a wide range of events and experiences. Here are some notable ones:
- Hollywood: Leslie moved to Hollywood in the early 1950s to pursue a career in acting, and she quickly became a rising star in the entertainment industry. She worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, and Vincente Minnelli.
- Paris: Leslie grew up in Paris and trained at the Ballet de l’Opéra National de Paris. She has remained connected to the city throughout her life, and it has been a frequent setting for her films and performances.
- Broadway: In addition to her film and television work, Leslie has also appeared on Broadway. She received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in the musical “Carnival!” in 1961.
- Ballet: Leslie has always maintained a strong connection to dance throughout her career. She has performed with some of the world’s most prestigious ballet companies, including the Ballet de l’Opéra National de Paris, the Ballets de Paris, and the Royal Ballet.
- Film Festivals: Leslie has attended numerous film festivals over the course of her career, including the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival.
- Personal Life: Leslie has been married three times and has two children. She has also been involved in various charitable organizations throughout her life, including UNICEF and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Social Impact: Philanthropic, Charitable and Community Involvement
Leslie has been involved in various philanthropic and charitable causes throughout her life. Here are some examples of her community involvement:
- UNICEF: Leslie has been a long-time supporter of UNICEF, a United Nations organization that provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children in need. She has been involved with the organization since the 1950s and has traveled to various parts of the world to help raise awareness about its work.
- Alzheimer’s Association: Leslie has also been involved with the Alzheimer’s Association, a nonprofit organization that supports people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. She became an advocate for the organization after her mother was diagnosed with the disease.
- Charitable Events: Leslie has participated in various charitable events and fundraisers over the years. For example, in 2011, she participated in a charity dance performance in Paris to benefit the fight against AIDS.
- Arts Education: Leslie has also been a strong advocate for arts education. She has spoken out about the importance of preserving and promoting the arts in schools and has worked with various organizations to support arts education programs.
Leslie Caron Awards Accomplishments and Achievements
Throughout her career, Leslie has received numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions to the entertainment industry. Here are some of her most notable accomplishments:
- Academy Award Nominations: Leslie has received two Academy Award nominations for Best Actress for her performances in “Lili” (1953) and “Gigi” (1958).
- Golden Globe Awards: Leslie won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for “Lili” (1953), and she received two additional Golden Globe nominations for her performances in “The L-Shaped Room” (1962) and “Father Goose” (1964).
- Screen Actors Guild Award: In 2007, Leslie received the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of her contributions to the entertainment industry.
- Broadway: Leslie received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the stage production of “Carnival!” (1961).
- French Honors: Leslie has been recognized with several honors in her home country of France, including the Legion of Honor in 2009, and the Order of Arts and Letters in 2016.
- Memoir: In 2010, Leslie published a memoir titled “Thank Heaven: A Memoir,” which chronicles her life and career in the entertainment industry.
Legacy
Leslie has had a long and successful career in the entertainment industry, and her legacy extends far beyond her achievements as an actress and dancer. Here are some ways in which she has left her mark:
- Pioneering Work: Leslie was one of the first actresses to successfully transition from ballet to acting, and she helped pave the way for other dancers to follow in her footsteps. Her performances in films like “An American in Paris” and “Gigi” helped establish her as a versatile and talented actress.
- Contributions to Film History: Leslie’s work in films like “An American in Paris” and “Gigi” helped redefine the musical genre and cemented her place in film history. She was also part of a generation of actresses who helped usher in a new era of Hollywood filmmaking.
- Inspiration to Future Generations: Leslie’s dedication to her craft and her commitment to arts education have inspired countless young performers and artists over the years. She has also been an advocate for women’s rights and has spoken out about the importance of female representation in the entertainment industry.
- Cultural Icon: Leslie’s unique blend of talent, grace, and elegance has made her a cultural icon. Her work as an actress, dancer, and singer has touched generations of fans around the world, and her legacy continues to inspire and influence artists today.
Hobbies and Interests
- Gardening: Leslie has expressed her love for gardening in several interviews. She enjoys spending time in her garden and has said that she finds it therapeutic.
- Music: Leslie has a deep appreciation for music and has spoken about how it has influenced her life and career. She enjoys listening to classical music and has also been known to sing and play the piano.
- Dance: As a trained dancer, Leslie still enjoys watching ballet and other forms of dance. She has also taught dance classes in the past and has been involved with dance education programs.
- Reading: Leslie is an avid reader and has spoken about how much she enjoys reading biographies and historical fiction.
- Travel: Throughout her career, Leslie has traveled extensively for work and has also taken trips for pleasure. She has spoken about how much she enjoys experiencing different cultures and trying new foods.
Personal Beliefs
- Women’s Rights: Leslie has been an advocate for women’s rights throughout her career. She has spoken out about the importance of equal opportunities and representation for women in the entertainment industry and beyond.
- Environmentalism: Leslie has also been vocal about her concerns for the environment and has spoken about the importance of taking action to protect the planet.
- Humanitarianism: Leslie has been involved with various humanitarian causes throughout her life, including UNICEF and the Alzheimer’s Association. She has spoken about the importance of using one’s platform to make a positive impact on the world.
- Arts Education: Leslie has been a strong advocate for arts education and has spoken about the importance of preserving and promoting the arts in schools.
Quotes
Final Thoughts
Leslie is a legendary actress, dancer, and humanitarian whose talent and contributions to the arts have made her an icon in the entertainment industry. From her early years as a ballet dancer in Paris to her breakout role in the film “An American in Paris,” Caron’s career has spanned decades and multiple mediums, showcasing her versatility and range as a performer.
Throughout her career, Leslie has used her platform to advocate for causes she cares about, including women’s rights, environmentalism, humanitarianism, and arts education. Her dedication to making a positive impact on the world has made her a role model and inspiration for many.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leslie Caron
Leslie is an accomplished actress and dancer who gained extensive recognition for her roles in the films Gigi (1958) and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2006).
Leslie is a French American national born on 1st July 1931, in Boulogne-sur-Seine, Paris.
Leslie stands at a height of 5 feet 1 inches (1.55 meters).
No, Leslie was previously married to Michael Laughlin from 1969 to 1980, Peter Hall from 1956 to 1965, and Geordie Hormel from 1951 to 1955.
Leslie has an approximate net worth of $10 million. This amount has been accrued from her leading roles in the entertainment industry.
Details about Leslie’s salary are not yet disclosed. However, information about how much she makes will be updated as soon as it is available.
Because of security reasons, Leslie has not shared her precise location of residence. We will update this information if we get the location and images of her house.
Leslie is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of her being sick or having any health-related issues.
Leslie is still an active participant in the creative entertainment industry, she is a cast member of A Christmas Carol.
Leslie Caron Contacts
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