Corinne Calvet

Corinne Calvet

Calvet on the August 1953 cover of Epoca
Born Corinne Dibos
(1925-04-30)April 30, 1925
Paris, France
Died June 23, 2001(2001-06-23) (aged 76)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation Actress
Years active 1945–82
Spouse(s) John Bromfield (m. 1948–54)(divorced)
Jeffrey Stone (m. 1955–60)(divorced) 1 child
Robert J. Wirt (m. 1968–71)(filed for divorce)
Children Robin Stone (b. 1956)[1]

Corinne Calvet (April 30, 1925 – June 23, 2001), born Corinne Dibos, was a French actress who appeared mostly in American films.

Early life

Calvet was born in Paris. Her mother was a scientist who played a part in the development of Pyrex glass.[2] She studied criminal law at the Sorbonne.[3]

Acting career

Calvet made her debut in French radio, stage plays and cinema in the 1940s before being brought to Hollywood in the 1940s by producer Hal B. Wallis. He cast her in Rope of Sand (1949) opposite Burt Lancaster and Paul Henreid.

In the 1950s, Calvet appeared in a string of films, usually playing French characters, opposite such leading men as Danny Kaye (On the Riviera), Joseph Cotten (Peking Express), Dan Dailey (When Willie Comes Marching Home), James Cagney (What Price Glory?), James Stewart (The Far Country), Alan Ladd (Thunder in the East), Tony Curtis (So This Is Paris) and twice with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis (My Friend Irma Goes West and Sailor Beware).

She made a rare television appearance on the Colgate Comedy Hour with Donald O'Connor on February 3, 1952, televised nationwide by NBC.

Upset with her treatment in Hollywood, in 1960 Calvet "decided to return to France to make her headquarters."[4]

She continued to act in Italian and French productions as well as making appearances on American television series (Hart to Hart and General Hospital), with occasional roles in films. Her last film was The Sword and the Sorcerer in 1982.

In her memoir, entitled Has Corinne Been a Good Girl? (1983), she stated that the roles she played for Hollywood studios never challenged her acting ability. In 1958, referring to being cast as a French temptress, she told an interviewer, "If I had come to Hollywood as a dramatic actress, I never would have been Corinne Calvet, and you never would have been sitting here talking to me."[5]

Personal life

Calvet was married three times. Her first marriage was to actor John Bromfield (1948–17 March 1954), who had co-starred with her in Rope of Sand and whom she claimed had been ordered to marry her by his studio. She then married Jeffrey Stone (1955–1960)[1] and Robert J. Wirt (1968 – October 1971). All three marriages ended in divorce.

In 1952, Calvet sued actress Zsa Zsa Gabor for $1 million, accusing her of slander after Gabor was quoted as saying that Calvet was not really French, but was "a cockney English girl who coldn't even speak French a few years ago."[6] An obituary noted: "Gabor countered that Calvet's suit was without merit. The court apparently agreed because the legal wrangle quickly disappeared from the media."[3]

Death

Calvet died June 23, 2001, in Los Angeles of a cerebral hemorrhage. She was survived by a son, Michael.[3]

Selected filmography

Radio appearances

Year Program Episode/source
1953 Broadway Playhouse Candle Light[7]

Bibliography

Tributes

In her collection "Ariege", fashion designer Marcela Calvet named one of her most sought-after handbags "Corinne", in her honor.

References

  1. 1 2 "Corinne Calvet Wins Divorce". Ocala Star-Banner. March 29, 1960. p. 22. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  2. ↑ Bergan, Ronald (July 5, 2001). "Corinne Calvet". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Thurber, Jon (June 27, 2001). "Corinne Calvet; French Actress". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "Corinne Makes H'Wood Exit". Sunday Gazette-Mail. May 1, 1960. p. 53. Retrieved June 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "(untitled brief)". The Tipton Daily Tribune. January 27, 1958. p. 2. Retrieved June 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Corinne Calvet Sues Zsa Zsa For $1 Million". The Ogden Standard-Examiner. August 13, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved June 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Kirby, Walter (January 18, 1953). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. p. 40. Retrieved June 20, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
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