Claire Maurier

Claire Maurier, born Odette-Michelle-Suzanne Agramon on March 27, 1929, in Céret, a picturesque commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales of southwestern France, is a distinguished French actress with a remarkable career spanning over seven decades. Since her debut in 1947, Maurier has graced more than 90 films with her talent.

She began her journey in the film industry with minor roles in the late 1940s, but her breakthrough came in 1959 when she played Gilberte Doinel, the mother of the protagonist in François Truffaut's acclaimed film *The 400 Blows*. Her early filmography also includes a memorable performance as Christiane Colombey, the bigamous wife in the 1963 comedy *La Cuisine au beurre*.

In 1978, Maurier garnered significant attention for her role as Simone in Édouard Molinaro's *La Cage aux Folles*. Her performance in *A Bad Son* (1981) earned her a César Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

The year 2001 marked a pivotal moment in her career when she portrayed Mme. Suzanne, the owner of the charming Café des 2 Moulins, in Jean-Pierre Jeunet's beloved film *Amélie*. This film not only became the highest-grossing French-language film in the U.S. but also won four César Awards and received five Academy Award nominations. More recently, in 2010, she took on the role of the neglectful mother in Jean Becker’s *My Afternoons with Margueritte*, alongside Gérard Depardieu.