Capucine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Capucine
Capucine on 25 April 1962
Born	Germaine Hélène Irène Lefebvre (1928-01-06)6 January 1928 Saint-Raphaël, Var, France
Died	17 March 1990(1990-03-17) (aged 62) Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
Occupation	Model, actress
Years active	1948–1990
Spouse(s)	Pierre Trabaud ​ ​ (m. 1950; div. 1950)​

Capucine (born Germaine Hélène Irène Lefebvre on January 6, 1928 – March 17, 1990) was a famous French fashion model and actress. She was well-known for her funny roles in movies like The Pink Panther (1963) and What's New Pussycat? (1965). She acted in 36 films and 17 TV shows during her career from 1948 to 1990.

Her Early Life

Capucine was born Germaine Hélène Irène Lefebvre in Saint-Raphaël, Var, France. She was born on January 6, 1928. She sometimes gave different birth years, but 1928 is the correct one. She went to school in Saumur, France, and earned a degree in foreign languages.

In 1945, when she was 17, a photographer noticed her in Paris. She decided to use the French name of a flower, "Capucine" (which means nasturtium), as her stage name. She then became a fashion model, working for famous fashion houses like Givenchy and Christian Dior.

While modeling in Paris, Capucine met Audrey Hepburn. They became very close friends and stayed that way for the rest of Capucine's life.

Her Acting Career

Starting in Films

Capucine first appeared in a movie called The Eagle with Two Heads (1948). It was a small, uncredited role. She also acted in Rendezvous in July (1949) and Crazy Show (1949).

She continued to appear in French films like My Friend Sainfoin (1950) and Bernard and the Lion (1951). After a short break, she returned to acting in Mademoiselle from Paris (1955) and Frou-Frou (1955).

Becoming Famous

In 1957, a film producer named Charles K. Feldman saw Capucine modeling in New York City. He signed her to a contract and brought her to Hollywood. There, she learned English and studied acting. She officially took the stage name "Capucine."

She signed a seven-year contract with Columbia Pictures in 1958. Her first English-speaking role was in Song Without End (1960). In this movie, she played Carolyne zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, a real-life princess. The producer, William Goetz, said she looked like a princess naturally.

In 1960, Capucine was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. She then starred in the comedy North to Alaska (1960), which was very popular.

Capucine went back to Europe to act in Le triomphe de Michel Strogoff (1961). Later, she had a major role in Walk on the Wild Side (1962). She also played William Holden's love interest in The Lion (1962).

Capucine in The Pink Panther (1963)

Director Blake Edwards chose Capucine for The Pink Panther. She played Inspector Clouseau's wife. This movie was a huge success and led to many sequels. Capucine said she learned a lot from Edwards.

She worked with William Holden again in The 7th Dawn (1964). She also starred in the comedy What's New Pussycat? (1965), which was filmed in France and was very successful.

Capucine continued to work with Charles K. Feldman, appearing in The Honey Pot (1967). Feldman passed away in 1968, and after that, Capucine's career changed direction.

Later Films and TV

Capucine had a supporting role in Fräulein Doktor (1968) and a main role in the Spanish thriller The Exquisite Cadaver (1969). She was also in Fellini Satyricon (1969).

She appeared in the Western film Red Sun (1971) and guest-starred on the TV series Search (1972).

Capucine acted alongside Jean-Paul Belmondo in Incorrigible (1975). She also appeared in several European films and TV shows throughout the 1970s, including The Con Artists (1976), Nest of Vipers (1978), and Arabian Adventure (1979).

The 1980s

In the 1980s, Capucine continued to act in both TV and films. She appeared in episodes of popular American TV shows like Hart to Hart (1982) and Murder, She Wrote (1985). She was also in the miniseries Sins (1986).

She returned to Europe for films such as Aphrodite (1982) and two more Pink Panther movies: Trail of the Pink Panther (1982) and Curse of the Pink Panther (1983). She continued acting in various European productions until her death.

Her Personal Life

Capucine married Pierre Trabaud in 1950, but their marriage lasted only eight months. She never married again.

She had a relationship with producer Charles K. Feldman, who helped her career a lot. They remained good friends even after their romantic relationship ended. She also had a relationship with actor William Holden, her co-star in The Lion and The 7th Dawn. She and Holden remained friends until his death in 1981.

Her Death

Capucine passed away on March 17, 1990, at the age of 62. She had been unwell for some time. Her neighbors said she lived a quiet life with her three cats, often staying at home and reading.

Selected Films

See also

In Spanish: Capucine para niños

• Mononymous persons