Caron, Leslie (1931–)

views updated

Caron, Leslie (1931–)

French actress and dancer. Born Leslie Claire Margaret Caron, July 1, 1931, in Boulogne-Billancourt, France; dau. of Claude Caron and Margaret Pettibone Caron (dancer as Margaret Petit); m. George A. Hormel (meat-packing heir), 1951 (div. 1954); m. Peter Hall (British producer-director), 1956 (div. 1966); m. Michael Laughlin (producer), 1969 (div. 1980); children: (2nd m.) 2.

Trained with Olga Preobrazhenska; appeared with Roland Petit's Ballets des Champs-É lysées (1947–50) and the Ballet de Paris (1954); made acting debut opposite Gene Kelly in film American in Paris (1951); made stage acting debut in Renoir's Orvet (1955); debuted in London in title role in Gigi (1961), followed by title role in Ondine; films include Gigi, The Doctor's Dilemma, Daddy Long Legs, Man with a Cloak, The Subterraneans, Fanny, Gaby and Chocolat; owns an inn in Villeneuve-sur-Yonne in Burgundy. Won British Film Academy awards for The L-Shaped Room (1962) and Lili (1953) and Oscar nominations for both.

More From encyclopedia.com