SARAH BERNHARDT
Name: Sarah Bernhardt
Birth name: Marie Henriette Bernardt
Born: 22 October 1844 Paris, France
Died: 26 March 1923 France
Sarah Bernhardt (Paris, France October 22, 1844 - France March 26, 1923) was a
French stage actress, and has often been referred to as "the most famous actress
in the history of the world". Bernhardt made her fame on the stages of Europe
in the 1870s, and was soon in demand in Europe and the United States. She
developed a reputation as a serious dramatic actress, earning the nickname "The
Divine Sarah."
She was born in Paris, France as Marie Henriette Bernardt, the daughter of Julie
Bernardt and a father of Dutch nationality. She added the letter "H" to both her
first and last name, and used the name of Edouard Bernardt, her mother's brother,
as the name of her father. This was probably done to hide the fact that her
father was unknown. Her grandfather, Moritz Bernardt, was a Jewish merchant in
Amsterdam, Holland. Most likely, her Jewish mother Julie was also born in
Amsterdam.
To support herself, it is assumed that Marie combined the career of an actress
and that of a courtesan. At the time, the two were considered scandalous to some
degree. She was sponsored by the Duc de Morny in 1859 for the Conservatoire de
Musique et Declamation, for theatrical training.
Bernhardt's stage career started in 1862 when she was a student at the Comedie-Francaise,
France's most prestigious theater. However, she was not entirely successful at
the conservatory and left to become a courtesan herself by 1865. It was during
this time that she acquired her famous coffin, which she often slept in in lieu
of a bed, claiming it helped her understand her many tragic roles. She made her
fame on the stages of Europe in the 1870s, and was soon in demand all over
Europe and in New York. She soon developed a reputation as a serious dramatic
actress, earning the title "The Divine Sarah"; arguably, she may have been the
most famous actress of the 19th century. She coached many young women in the
art of acting, including actress and courtesan Liane de Pougy.
Although primarily a stage actress, Bernhardt made several cylinders and discs
of famous dialogues from various productions. One of the earliest was a reading
from Phèdre by Jean Racine, at Thomas Edison's home on a visit to New York City
in the 1880s. Multi-talented, she was involved with the visual arts, acting,
painting and sculpting herself, and modeling for Antonio de La Gandara. She also
published a series of books and plays.
During her time, Bernhardt had a strong influence on grand opera, an influence
that continues to this day. Tosca and Salome, for example, contain two of opera's
most sensational heroines, both based on plays written for Bernhardt.
In 1914, Bernhardt was made a member of France's Legion of Honour.
Name: Sarah Bernhardt
Birth name: Marie Henriette Bernardt
Born: 22 October 1844 Paris, France
Died: 26 March 1923 France
Sarah Bernhardt (Paris, France October 22, 1844 - France March 26, 1923) was a
French stage actress, and has often been referred to as "the most famous actress
in the history of the world". Bernhardt made her fame on the stages of Europe
in the 1870s, and was soon in demand in Europe and the United States. She
developed a reputation as a serious dramatic actress, earning the nickname "The
Divine Sarah."
She was born in Paris, France as Marie Henriette Bernardt, the daughter of Julie
Bernardt and a father of Dutch nationality. She added the letter "H" to both her
first and last name, and used the name of Edouard Bernardt, her mother's brother,
as the name of her father. This was probably done to hide the fact that her
father was unknown. Her grandfather, Moritz Bernardt, was a Jewish merchant in
Amsterdam, Holland. Most likely, her Jewish mother Julie was also born in
Amsterdam.
To support herself, it is assumed that Marie combined the career of an actress
and that of a courtesan. At the time, the two were considered scandalous to some
degree. She was sponsored by the Duc de Morny in 1859 for the Conservatoire de
Musique et Declamation, for theatrical training.
Bernhardt's stage career started in 1862 when she was a student at the Comedie-Francaise,
France's most prestigious theater. However, she was not entirely successful at
the conservatory and left to become a courtesan herself by 1865. It was during
this time that she acquired her famous coffin, which she often slept in in lieu
of a bed, claiming it helped her understand her many tragic roles. She made her
fame on the stages of Europe in the 1870s, and was soon in demand all over
Europe and in New York. She soon developed a reputation as a serious dramatic
actress, earning the title "The Divine Sarah"; arguably, she may have been the
most famous actress of the 19th century. She coached many young women in the
art of acting, including actress and courtesan Liane de Pougy.
Although primarily a stage actress, Bernhardt made several cylinders and discs
of famous dialogues from various productions. One of the earliest was a reading
from Phèdre by Jean Racine, at Thomas Edison's home on a visit to New York City
in the 1880s. Multi-talented, she was involved with the visual arts, acting,
painting and sculpting herself, and modeling for Antonio de La Gandara. She also
published a series of books and plays.
During her time, Bernhardt had a strong influence on grand opera, an influence
that continues to this day. Tosca and Salome, for example, contain two of opera's
most sensational heroines, both based on plays written for Bernhardt.
In 1914, Bernhardt was made a member of France's Legion of Honour.