Home > Yvonne Printemps

Born Yvonne Wignolle, she was dancing in revues at the Folies Bergère in Paris at age 13. Nicknamed Printemps (springtime) by her fellow chorus members because of her sunny disposition, she started in operetta, appearing in such works as "Les Contes de Perrault" (1913) and "Le Poilu" (1916). Her voice and stage presence made her a great star at a young age, appearing as a teenager with the greatest stars of the day, Maurice Chevalier and Mistinguett.

In 1919, she married actor-playwright Sacha Guitry. Together they performed in a number of his plays bringing the extremely popular 1925 production of "Mozart" to cities in North America, including New York City, Montreal, Quebec and Boston, Massachusetts.

In 1934 she received international acclaim for her performance in the Noel CowardSir Noel Peirce Coward (spelling his forename Noel with the diaeresis was an affectation of later life, and "Peirce" is the correct spelling) ( December 16, 1899 March 26, 1973) was an English actor, playwright, and composer of popular music. Born at Tedd play, "Conversation Piece." She performed in Paris and at London's West EndThis article is about the West End of London . For other uses of the name West End see West End (disambiguation). The term West End is most commonly used to refer to the West End of London England. The West End contains most of London's major theatres, an before going to the United States to star on BroadwayThis article is about the street in New York City. For other articles with the name Broadway, see: Broadway (disambiguation). Broadway as the name implies, is a big, wide avenue in New York City, New York, and is one of the main north-south thoroughfares. She appeared in nine motion pictures, including the starring role in both the stage and screen versions of "Le Trois Valses."

Following her divorce from Sacha Guitry, she fell in love with French film star Pierre Fresnay with whom she remained for life. Loving the spotlight, she would be seen draped with jewels and wearing enormous hats. Personifying the grand diva, she made a great spectacle wherever she went with her pet poodles on a leash.

She continued to perform on stage until she was well into her sixties and remained active with Pierre Fresnay, co-directing the Théâtre de la Michodière in Paris with him until his death in 1975.

Yvonne Printemps died in the Paris suburb of Neuilly on January 19, 1977.

In 1994, the government of France placed her image on a postage stampThis is a list of people on stamps of France . As with related lists, the dates indicate the dates on which the stamps were issued. continue with 1958 Clement Ader (1938) Andre-Marie Ampere (1936, 1949) Nicolas Appert (1955) Francois Arago (1949) Charles.