Annie Cordy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Baroness Annie Cordy
Annie Cordy in 2001.
Born	Léonie Cooreman (1928-06-16)16 June 1928 Laeken, Belgium
Died	4 September 2020(2020-09-04) (aged 92) Vallauris, France
Occupation	Actress, comedian, singer, dancer
Years active	1948–2020

Léonie Juliana, Baroness Cooreman (born June 16, 1928 – died September 4, 2020), known by her stage name Annie Cordy, was a famous Belgian actress and singer. She appeared in over 50 films starting in 1954. She also performed many memorable shows at the famous Paris Olympia in Paris. Her song "La Ballade de Davy Crockett" was the number one hit in France for five weeks in August 1956.

Annie Cordy was born in Laeken, Belgium. In 2004, King Albert II of Belgium gave her the special title of Baroness. This was to celebrate her amazing life and career.

Early Life and Start

Annie Cordy was born in Laeken, Belgium. Her parents were Maria de Leeuw and Cornelius January Cooreman. She had two siblings, a brother named Louis and a sister named Jeanne.

When she was eight, her mom signed her up for dance classes. She also learned to play the piano and studied music. She often performed at charity events. Between her dance acts, she would sing popular songs of the time. In 1950, the artistic director of Le Lido encouraged her to move to Paris. Annie Cordy then became a lead dancer there.

Becoming a Star (1952–1960)

Annie Cordy recorded her first songs in 1952. Some of these were "Les Trois Bandits de Napoli" and "Quand c'est aux autos de passer". She also started in a musical called "La Route fleurie". She performed alongside famous actors like Georges Guétary and Bourvil. This show ran until 1955.

In 1953, she made her first film appearance in Boum sur Paris. That same year, she had her first big hit song, "Bonbons, caramels, esquimaux, chocolats".

In 1954, she acted in the film April Fools' Day with her friend Bourvil. This movie was very popular, selling almost three million tickets. She also appeared in Sacha Guitry's film Royal Affairs in Versailles. This movie was the number one film in France in 1954. It is still one of the most successful French films ever.

In 1955, her song "Fleur de Papillon" became a hit. She also acted in two movies, Hello Smile ! and Beautiful but Dangerous.

In 1956, she played Cri-Cri in Le Chanteur de Mexico. This film was a huge success, selling almost 5 million tickets. It was one of the top movies of 1956 in France. At the same time, her French version of "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" was number one on the music charts for five weeks.

In 1957, she starred in a German remake of Victor and Victoria. She also began her second musical, "Tête de linotte," which ran until 1960.

In 1958, she had more musical hits like "Hello le soleil brille" from the movie The Bridge on the River Kwai. She also played Mimi in the film Tabarin.

In 1959, she had several popular songs, including her versions of "Petite Fleur" and "Salade de fruits". She also starred in the movie Cigarettes, Whisky et P'tites Pépées.

In 1960, she acted in "Tête folle" with Jean Richard.

Busy Years (1961–1970)

Annie Cordy in 1961

From 1961 to 1964, Annie Cordy starred in her third musical, "Visa pour l'amour," with Luis Mariano. The show featured the popular song "Visa pour l'amour."

In 1964, she sang the hit song "Six Roses."

From 1965 to 1967, she had a main role in "Ouah ! Ouah !", another musical with Bourvil. This musical included the hit song "Le p'tit coup de chance." During this time, she also appeared in films like Ces dames s'en mêlent and L'or du duc.

In 1967, she played Maryse in "Ces messieurs de la famille."

In 1968, she starred in "Pic et Pioche," a musical with her friend Darry Cowl.

In 1969, she played Mme Marthe in "Le bourgeois gentil mec."

The year 1970 was very successful for Annie Cordy. She worked again with director Raoul André in "Ces messieurs de la gâchette." She also played Juliette in René Clément's film Rider on the Rain. This movie was a big hit, being the third most popular film in France in 1970. She also appeared in Claude Chabrol's film The Breach. On top of her film success, she had a musical hit with "Le Chouchou de mon Coeur."

More Success (1971–1980)

In 1971, she played Nelly in Le Chat with Jean Gabin and Simone Signoret. The film was very popular. She also started a new musical called "Indien vaut mieux que deux tu l'auras."

In 1972, she starred in the French version of the musical Hello, Dolly!. She also appeared in the films "Les galets d'Étretat" and "Les portes de feu."

In 1973, she played Nina in Tre per una grande rapina. She also acted in "La dernière bourrée à Paris" and "Elle court, elle court la banlieue." The latter film was a success, selling over 1.5 million tickets.

In 1974, she released "La bonne du curé". This song became a classic and one of her biggest hits, selling over two million copies worldwide. She also continued to make movies like Les gaspards and the Italian film Commissariato di notturna.

In 1975, she starred in Souvenir of Gibraltar and appeared in "Isabelle devant le désir." This year, she also had several musical hits: "Ya kasiti," "Jane la tarzane," and one of her most famous songs, "Frida Oum Papa."

In 1976, she returned to musicals with "Nini la chance," which was a huge success. The musical produced a hit song with the same name. She also had other popular songs like "La Bébête" and "Ça ira mieux demain." She starred in the film High Street.

In 1977, she played Baronne Jacinthe de la Tronchembiais in the film Drôles de zèbres.

In 1978, she released another classic musical hit, "Qui qu'en veut." This year, she also made her first television movies. She appeared in "Le bel indifférent" and a TV version of Molière's play The Miser.

In 1980, she had several musical successes, including "Senorita Raspa" and "L'Artiste." Her most successful song was "Tata Yoyo," which became another one of her cult favorites.

Later Career (1981–2020)

In 1981, she played Mme Hortense in the TV movie "Les fiançailles de feu." She also played the main role in the TV movie "Madame Sans-Gêne," based on a play. This same year, she made her debut in a stage drama with "Madame Sans-Gêne."

In 1982, she appeared in her last musical where she had the main part, "Envoyez la musique." She also had her own TV series, "Madame S.O.S.," which lasted one season. She sang the series' theme song, "Si j'étais le soleil."

In 1983, after six years away from cinema, she returned with "Le braconnier de Dieu." She also had another musical hit with "Le rock à Médor."

In 1985, she had another musical hit that became a cult favorite, "Cho Ka Ka O."

In 1986, she focused on theater, appearing in three plays. She played Madame de Sévigné in a play of the same name.

In 1987, she returned to her role in the classic play "Madame Sans-Gene."

In 1989, she appeared in an episode of the TV series "Le bonheur d'en face." She also starred in the play "Mademoiselle Plume."

In 1990, she returned to films after seven years with "Impasse de la vignette". Critics praised her performance, and she won the Best Actress Award at the "Festivals de Digne." This year, she also had the main role in the TV series "Orages d'été." She also performed on stage in "Sacrée Gladys."

Annie Cordy in 2009

From 1991 to 2000, Annie Cordy continued to give concerts. She also appeared more often on television as an actress.

In 1993, she appeared in the TV series "Inspecteur Médeuze."

1994 was a big year for her. She starred in the film La Vengeance d'une blonde, which was a big success. It was the fourth most successful French film of 1994. She also played Bertoune in the TV movie "La fille du roi." She appeared in two plays, "Six heures au plus tard" and "La Célestine."

In 1995, she acted in her first short film, "Vroum-vroum." She also had a main role in the TV movie "Fanny se fait un sang d'encre." She sang for the French soundtrack of Pocahontas.

In 1996, she played in a short film called "Moi j'aime Albert" and an episode of "Le refuge."

In 1997, she appeared in three TV movies: "Le diable en sabots," "Une mère comme on n'en fait plus," and "Sans cérémonie" with Charles Aznavour.

In 1998, to celebrate her 50-year career, she gave a concert at the Olympia. Many of her friends and famous artists were there to celebrate with her.

In 1999, she played in the short film "Un Noël de chien."

In 2000, she appeared in another episode of the TV series "Baldi" with Charles Aznavour. She also performed in William Shakespeare's play "Les Joyeuses Commères de Windsor" (The Merry Wives of Windsor). She also joined the "Les Enfoirés" concert series.

From 2001 to 2020, Annie Cordy continued her acting career.

In 2001, she starred in the TV movie "La tortue."

In 2002, she starred in two TV movies: "Les rebelles de Moissac" and "Passage du bac" with Charles Aznavour.

In 2003, she played Lucette in an episode of "Fabien Cosma."

In 2004, she appeared in the short film "Zartmo." She also returned to feature films after ten years with Madame Édouard. For her role in "Les Femmes de Cristal," she received the Woman Crystal Award for "Cinema and Theatre."

In 2005, she appeared in an episode of "Le tuteur."

In 2006, Cordy played Rose in the movie Le Dernier des fous. She also starred in C'est beau une ville la nuit. She appeared on stage in "Lily & Lily." She also narrated the documentary "Moi, Belgique," about the history of her home country.

In 2008, she played Mme Graindorge in Disco. This film was a big success, selling over two million tickets in France. She also played in Le crime est notre affaire, based on an Agatha Christie novel. This film also sold over a million tickets. The channel RTBF organized a special night for Annie, called "Quelque chose en nous d'Annie Cordy," where artists paid tribute to her.

In 2009, she played in Wild Grass. This year, she also started a new play, "Laissez-moi sortir," where she was alone on stage, talking about her long career. The play was a huge success and toured France in 2010.

In 2011, she appeared in the movie "Crimes en sourdine." She also released a new album, "Ça me plaît pourvu que ça vous plaise..."

In 2012, she had the main role in the TV movie "Je retourne chez ma mère." She also appeared in an episode of Scènes de ménage.

In 2013, she appeared in an episode of the TV series "Y'a pas d'âge."

In 2014, she played in Le Dernier Diamant. She also released a Christmas album with 30 jazz musicians.

In 2015, she was given the main role in Les souvenirs. This movie was a great success, selling over a million tickets. She also played a recurring character in France 2's TV series Chefs. She was also invited to the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.

In 2016, she attended the 2016 Cannes Film Festival for the movie The Unknown Girl and Le Cancre.

In July 2018, for her 90th birthday, she was the special guest of honor at the Ommegang of Brussels. A few days later, a park next to the train station in Laeken, her hometown, was named after her.

Death

On September 4, 2020, Annie Cordy had a cardiac arrest (her heart stopped) at her home in Vallauris, France. She was living with her niece. Efforts to save her were unsuccessful, and she passed away at 92 years old.

Honours

• 2005: Given the title of Baroness of Belgium.
• 24 October 2013: Became a Commander of the Order of the Crown.
• 2022: The Léopold II Tunnel in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean was renamed "Annie Cordy Tunnel."

Filmography

Annie Cordy appeared in many films and TV shows. Here are some of them:

Dubbing

Annie Cordy also lent her voice to animated characters:

Box-office

Here are some of the movies starring Annie Cordy that sold over a million tickets in France:

Stage

Theater

Annie Cordy performed in many plays. Here are some notable ones:

Musicals

Annie Cordy also starred in many musicals:

Discography

Annie Cordy released many songs and albums throughout her career. Here are some of her most famous hits:

Images for kids

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  Annie Cordy in 2001.

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  Annie Cordy in 1961

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  Annie Cordy in 2009

See also

In Spanish: Annie Cordy para niños