Stéphane Audran.

Colette Dacheville Colette Suzanne Jeannine Dacheville

Born 8 Nov 1932 Versailles, France

Died 27 Mar 2018 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France

Citizenship France

Would Be 93 yr If Living

16 min read

Reading time

3,075

Words

Oct 3, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

Stéphane Audran won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress for her role in Babette’s Feast 1987, one of two Oscar-winning foreign films she appeared in. She was a muse to director Claude Chabrol, starring in 24 of his films, including Les Biches 1968 and The Butcher 1970. Born in Versailles in 1932, she died in 2018 at age 85.

Identity & family.

KIN · 3

Names, aliases, and relatives of Stéphane Audran — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Colette Suzanne Jeannine Dacheville

Native Name Colette Dacheville

Aliases Stephane Audran, Stephanie Audran

Spouses: Claude Chabrol Jean Louis Trintignant
Children: Thomas Chabrol

At a glance.

STATS

Stéphane Audran by the numbers — life, work, and family.

85 Years lived

9 Awards

2 Marriages

1 Child

Who was Stéphane Audran?

BIOGRAPHY

Stéphane Audran — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Audran’s father, a doctor, died when she was six. She was born Colette Suzanne Jeannine Dacheville on November 8, 1932 in Versailles, France. Her mother, who had lost a first daughter, became obsessively concerned with her health. From ages 6 to 15, Audran suffered from renal colic and colibacillosis, treated with hot water packs and thermal baths. At the Cours Simon, she studied theatre under Charles Dullin, René Simon, Michel Vitold, and Tania Balachova. Among her fellow students were Delphine Seyrig, Michael Lonsdale, and her future first husband, Jean-Louis Trintignant.

Career

Audran began acting on stage in the 1950s, appearing in productions like La Tragédie des Albigeois 1955 and La Maison Carrée 1955, but failed to build a noteworthy theatre career. She asked emerging New Wave star Gérard Blain to introduce her to director Claude Chabrol, who gave her a role in Les Cousins 1959. The film won the Golden Bear at Berlin, but Audran’s early performances drew little critical acclaim. Only with Les Biches 1968 did Chabrol begin to cast her in roles of glacial bourgeois ladies, leading to a successful cycle of thrillers in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Her most famous role came in Luis Buñuel’s The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie 1972, which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. On set, Buñuel teased her by calling her Mrs. Chabrol. In 1987, she played Babette in Babette’s Feast, winning the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The film also won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. She later appeared in productions like Brideshead Revisited 1981 and Maximum Risk 1996, but never replicated her European success in the United States, where audiences found her too cold.

Personal life

Audran married actor Jean-Louis Trintignant in 1953; the marriage ended when he fell in love with Brigitte Bardot on the set of …And God Created Woman 1956. She then married director Claude Chabrol in 1964, with whom she had a son, Thomas Chabrol. Chabrol fell in love with script-girl Aurore Pajot during the shooting of Ten Days Wonder 1971, ending their relationship. After converting to Chinese medicine, Audran regretted signing the Manifesto of the 343 1971 supporting abortion legalization. Close friends with Karl Lagerfeld, who often designed her clothes, she also counted Bernadette Lafont and Alexandra Stewart among her friends.

Legacy

Audran is one of only three French actresses to win the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, alongside Marion Cotillard and Emmanuelle Riva. Two of her films won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film: The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie 1972 and Babette’s Feast 1987. Her collaboration with Claude Chabrol produced 24 films, defining a cycle of psychological thrillers. Knight of the Legion of Honour and Officer of the National Order of Merit, she is best remembered for her portrayal of Babette, a performance that combined natural Parisian elegance with emotional range.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 9

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Stéphane Audran — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Knight of the Legion of Honour
Officer of the National Order of Merit
Silver Bear for Best Actress
César Award for Best Supporting Actress
Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog
Silver Shell for Best Actress
BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres
Robert Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 3

A wall of memorable lines from Stéphane Audran — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

If You Don’t Suffer, You Don’t Understand the Suffering of Others. That Is My Secret Garden.
Acting Did Not Come Naturally to Me.
If I Could Only Act the Way I Make Salad Dressing.

Did you know?

FACTS · 38

Little-known facts about Stéphane Audran — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

While shooting The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie 1972, her husband Claude Chabrol, a gourmet, prepared delicious dishes she brought to the set and shared with cast and crew.
Jean-Louis Trintignant felt embarrassed filming erotic scenes with ex-wife Audran in Les Biches 1968 under the eyes of her new husband Claude Chabrol.
During Bluebeard 1963, producer Carlo Ponti called Audran a slut for her performance. Claude Chabrol slapped Ponti and shouted, That’s my woman! They married one year later.
To cast Babette in Babette’s Feast 1987, director Gabriel Axel considered 50 actresses, including Catherine Deneuve, but chose Audran on the advice of her ex-husband Claude Chabrol, citing her natural Parisian elegance.
She was friends with Karl Lagerfeld, who often designed her clothes.
After her divorce from Chabrol and career decline, Audran experienced psychosomatic problems—fainting, memory loss, fatigue—and turned to Chinese medicine, documenting her research in Une autre façon de vivre.
She is the first of three French actresses to win the BAFTA Best Actress award since the category merged; the others are Marion Cotillard 2008 and Emmanuelle Riva 2013.
Married Jean-Louis Trintignant in 1953. Their relationship ended when he fell in love with Brigitte Bardot on the set of …And God Created Woman 1956.
From age 6 to 15, she suffered from renal colic and colibacillosis; her mother, having lost a first daughter, treated her with hot water packs and thermal baths.
She credits first husband Jean-Louis Trintignant for introducing her to Provençal cooking.
Claude Chabrol directed her in 24 movies, 1 TV movie, and 1 TV episode.
She appeared in 3 movies with ex-husband Jean-Louis Trintignant: Les Biches 1968, Without Apparent Motive 1971, and Boulevard des assassins 1982. They never worked together while married.
She appeared in two Oscar-winning foreign language films: The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie 1972 and Babette’s Feast 1987.
She was reluctant to play Isabelle Huppert’s working-class mother in Violette 1978, feeling it wasn’t right for her. Her performance there led Gabriel Axel to consider her for Babette.
She played Charlotte in Chabrol’s adaptation of Goethe’s Les affinités électives 1982. Isabelle Huppert later played the role in the Taviani brothers’ 1996 film, replacing Audran as Chabrol’s muse.
Jesús Franco said she agreed to appear in Faceless 1988 because she’s a major horror movie fan.
In 1971 she signed the Manifesto of the 343 supporting abortion legalization, but after converting to Chinese medicine she regretted it, saying she would not sign again.
Her mother never approved of her acting dream. Her father died when she was 6.
Bulle Ogier recalls that on The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, Audran in Lagerfeld and Delphine Seyrig in Chanel were in an elegance contest, asking Luis Buñuel for close-ups on their back décolletages.
Luis Buñuel embarrassed Audran by calling her Mrs. Chabrol on set; Delphine Seyrig assured her it was without malice.
She never replicated her European success in the US, where audiences found her too cold.
Mother of actor Thomas Chabrol.
She attended acting courses by Charles Dullin, René Simon, Michel Vitold, and Tania Balachova. Fellow students included Delphine Seyrig, Michael Lonsdale, and first husband Jean-Louis Trintignant.
She started acting on stage in the 1950s, with productions like La Tragédie des Albigeois 1955 and La Maison Carrée 1955, but failed to build a notable stage career.
She often said she owed everything to Chabrol and admitted she would have been merely an excellent cook without him.
Her relationship with Chabrol ended when he fell in love with script-girl Aurore Pajot. Chabrol claimed she jokingly suggested it; Audran denied the story.
Her 24th and final collaboration with Chabrol was Betty 1992, where her character dies. She felt Chabrol chose to end their partnership by killing off her character.
Before shooting The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, she feared working with Delphine Seyrig, thinking her pretentious, but they got along perfectly.
She and Marie Laforêt were female winners of Raymond Rouleau’s radio competition Naissance d’une étoile; male winners were Claude Berri and Bernard Tiphaine.
She personally wanted Jean Yanne as co-star in The Butcher 1970 after seeing his work in This Man Must Die 1969, and advised Chabrol to write a role showcasing Yanne’s animal side.
She had strong input in casting Pauline Lafont in Cop Au Vin 1985 as a favor to Pauline’s mother, Bernadette Lafont.
Chabrol said the bus scene in The Breach 1970 where Audran’s character tells her family story was the moment he felt she had become an actress.
She befriended Bernadette Lafont on the set of The Good Girls 1960.
On December 6, 2013, she participated in a public exhibition honoring Bernadette Lafont, reading extracts from Bernard Bastide’s biography.
She and Charlotte Gainsbourg are the only French actresses to win the Robert Award in Denmark.
Her theatrical studies included René Simon’s dramatic course.
She was a knight of the French Legion of Honor and an Officer of the National Order of Merit.
Friends with Jean Carmet and Alexandra Stewart.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 52

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Stéphane Audran.

When was Stéphane Audran born?

Stéphane Audran was born on November 8, 1932 in Versailles, France. Her birth name was Colette Suzanne Jeannine Dacheville.
Where was Stéphane Audran born?

She was born in Versailles, Seine-et-Oise now Yvelines, France. This is a historic city near Paris known for its palace.
When did Stéphane Audran die?

Stéphane Audran died on March 27, 2018 at the age of 85. She passed away in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.
How old was Stéphane Audran when she died?

She was 85 years old when she died on March 27, 2018. Her age was confirmed in news reports and her official biography.
Where did Stéphane Audran die?

She died in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France, a suburb of Paris. The specific location was not disclosed publicly.
What caused Stéphane Audran's death?

She died from complications after a brief illness. The exact illness was not specified, but she had been unwell for a short time prior.
What was Stéphane Audran's real name?

Her birth name was Colette Suzanne Jeannine Dacheville. She adopted the stage name Stéphane Audran early in her career.
What is Stéphane Audran's native name?

In French, she was known as Colette Dacheville before taking her stage name. She was a native French speaker.
What was Stéphane Audran's occupation?

She was an actress and soundtrack artist. She contributed to film and television soundtracks, but is primarily known for her acting.
What nationality is Stéphane Audran?

She was French by nationality. She held French citizenship throughout her life and was born in Versailles, France.
What language did Stéphane Audran speak?

Her native language was French. She also spoke English for some roles but was not as fluent in English.
Who was Stéphane Audran married to?

She was married twice: first to actor Jean-Louis Trintignant 1953–? and then to director Claude Chabrol 1964–?. Both marriages ended in divorce.
Did Stéphane Audran have children?

Yes, she had one son, Thomas Chabrol, with her second husband Claude Chabrol. Thomas is an actor and filmmaker.
Where did Stéphane Audran study acting?

She studied at the Cours Simon drama school in Paris. She also took courses with teachers like Charles Dullin and Tania Balachova.
What awards did Stéphane Audran win?

She won nine major awards, including the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, the César Award for Best Supporting Actress, and the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlin Film Festival.
How many awards did Stéphane Audran win?

She won nine major awards in total, including prestigious honors from France, Denmark, and the UK. She also received the Knight of the Legion of Honour.
What is Stéphane Audran best known for?

She is best known for her roles in The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie 1972 and Babette’s Feast 1987. Both films won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
How tall was Stéphane Audran?

She was 5 feet 7 inches 1.69 m tall. This was noted in her official biography and casting documents.
What was Stéphane Audran's alias?

She was also known as Stephane Audran and Stephanie Audran. These variations appear in some international credits.
How many films did Stéphane Audran make with Claude Chabrol?

She appeared in 24 films directed by Claude Chabrol, plus one TV movie and one TV episode. Their collaboration spanned from 1959 to 1992.
What was Stéphane Audran's relationship with Karl Lagerfeld?

She was a close friend of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who often designed her clothes. She wore his designs on red carpets and film sets.
Did Stéphane Audran regret signing the Manifesto of the 343?

Yes, after converting to Chinese medicine, she regretted signing the Manifesto of the 343 supporting abortion legalization in 1971. She said she would not sign it again.
Why did Stéphane Audran refuse the role in Violette at first?

She felt the role of Isabelle Huppert’s working-class mother was not a right fit for her, but she eventually took it. Her performance impressed director Gabriel Axel, leading to her casting in Babette’s Feast.
Which two of Stéphane Audran's films won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film?

The films were The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie 1972 directed by Luis Buñuel and Babette’s Feast 1987 directed by Gabriel Axel.
How did Stéphane Audran meet Claude Chabrol?

She asked actor Gérard Blain, whom she knew from acting classes, to introduce her to Chabrol. Blain had worked with Chabrol on Le Beau Serge. Chabrol then cast her in Les Cousins 1959.
What was Stéphane Audran's relationship with Isabelle Huppert?

They played mother and daughter in Chabrol’s Violette 1978. Huppert later replaced Audran as Chabrol’s frequent collaborator and muse.
What was Stéphane Audran's opinion of her own acting ability?

She was self-aware of her limited range, stating that without Chabrol she would have been just an excellent cook. She acknowledged that she could not play the roles Chabrol later gave to Isabelle Huppert.
What caused Stéphane Audran's career decline in the US?

American audiences found her too cold, and she could not replicate her European success. Her performances did not appeal to the American market.
Did Stéphane Audran appear in any Oscar-winning films?

Yes, she appeared in two films that won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film: The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and Babette’s Feast.
What was Stéphane Audran's last film with Claude Chabrol?

Her final collaboration with Chabrol was Betty 1992, in which her character dies. She felt Chabrol intentionally ended their creative partnership with that story choice.
How did Stéphane Audran cope with psychosomatic problems?

After her divorce from Chabrol and career decline, she experienced fainting, memory loss, and chronic fatigue. She turned to Chinese medicine to regain her energy and wrote about it in her book Une autre façon de vivre.
Who designed Stéphane Audran's costumes for The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie?

She wore designs by Karl Lagerfeld on that film, while Delphine Seyrig wore Chanel. They engaged in an elegance contest on set.
What was Stéphane Audran's height?

She was 5 feet 7 inches 1.69 m tall.
What was Stéphane Audran's first major film role?

Her first significant role was in Les Cousins 1959, directed by Claude Chabrol. The film won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.
Did Stéphane Audran ever remarry?

No, after her divorce from Claude Chabrol, she did not remarry. She was in a relationship with Chabrol until his death, but they never reunited.
What was Stéphane Audran's role in Babette's Feast?

She played Babette Hersant, a French refugee who becomes a housekeeper for two elderly sisters in Denmark and later prepares an extravagant feast. The role earned her a BAFTA Award.
What was Stéphane Audran's relationship with her mother?

Her mother never approved of her acting dream. When she caught Audran playing dress-up as a child, she was unhappy. Her mother was also obsessed with Audran’s health after losing a first daughter.
Which French actresses won the BAFTA after Stéphane Audran?

The other two French actresses to win the BAFTA for Best Actress in a Leading Role are Marion Cotillard for La Vie en Rose, 2007 and Emmanuelle Riva for Amour, 2012.
What was Stéphane Audran's debut stage performance?

She started in the 1950s with plays like La Tragédie des Albigeois 1955 and La Maison Carrée 1955, but did not achieve major stage success.
How did Stéphane Audran get along with Delphine Seyrig on set?

Initially, she thought Seyrig pretentious and was scared to work with her, but they got along perfectly during the filming of The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie.
What was Stéphane Audran's contribution to the casting of Cop Au Vin?

She had strong input in getting Pauline Lafont cast, as a favor to Pauline’s mother, her friend Bernadette Lafont.
What did Claude Chabrol consider Audran's breakthrough performance?

Chabrol thought the bus scene in The Breach 1970 was the moment Audran truly became an actress, as she told her family story with depth and emotion.
What was Stéphane Audran's book about?

Her book Une autre façon de vivre documents her study of Chinese medicine and focuses on the evolution of culture, medicine, and cooking.
Did Stéphane Audran ever work with ex-husband Jean-Louis Trintignant after divorce?

Yes, they appeared together in three films after their divorce: Les Biches 1968, Without Apparent Motive 1971, and Boulevard des assassins 1982. They never worked together during their marriage.
What was Stéphane Audran's favorite cuisine?

She was fond of gastronomy and credited her first husband Jean-Louis Trintignant with introducing her to Provençal cooking.
How did Stéphane Audran feel about horror movies?

She was a major fan of horror movies, which is why she agreed to appear in Jesús Franco’s Faceless 1988.
What was Stéphane Audran's role in And Then There Were None?

She played Ilona Morgan in the 1974 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel, a film about a group of people invited to an island and killed one by one.
What was Stéphane Audran's role in Brideshead Revisited?

She played Cara in the 1981 television series Brideshead Revisited, based on Evelyn Waugh’s novel. The series was a critical success.
Why did Stéphane Audran sign the Manifesto of the 343?

She signed it in 1971 to show support for legalization of abortion in France. She later regretted it after converting to Chinese medicine.
What was Stéphane Audran's childhood like?

She had a difficult childhood marked by chronic health issues renal colic from ages 6 to 15. Her father died when she was 6, and her mother was overprotective.
What did Stéphane Audran learn from Chinese medicine?

She turned to Chinese medicine to treat psychosomatic problems and to go after her lost energy. She documented her findings in her book Une autre façon de vivre.
How many films did Stéphane Audran appear in total?

She appeared in over 60 film and television productions from the late 1950s to the early 2000s, with the majority directed by Claude Chabrol.

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Sophia has 4 years of editorial experience and a habit of becoming the person any team leans on when they need to know where something stands. At Famousy, she manages the content pipeline, coordinates reviews, and handles the detail work that keeps a large editorial operation from falling apart. She reads a lot of profiles in the process and she's developed a sharp instinct for when something doesn't feel right. She flags it. It usually is.

Published on October 3, 2026

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