Jean Seberg

Jean Seberg
File:Jean Seberg.jpg Jean Seberg in 1965
Born	(1938-11-13)November 13, 1938 Marshalltown, Iowa, U.S.
Died	August 30, 1979(1979-08-30) (aged 40) Paris, France
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1957–1979
Spouse(s)	François Moreuil (m. 1958; div. 1960)\nRomain Gary (m. 1962; div. 1970)\nDennis Berry (m. 1972; her death 1979)
Children	2

Jean Dorothy Seberg (November 13, 1938 – August 30, 1979) was an American actress who achieved international fame with her role in Jean-Luc Godard's 1960 film Breathless. Seberg's career spanned over two decades, during which she appeared in 34 films in Hollywood and Europe.

Early Life

Jean Seberg was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Dorothy Arline (née Benson), a substitute teacher, and Edward Waldemar Seberg, a pharmacist. She had a sister, Mary-Ann, and two brothers, Kurt and David. Seberg was of Swedish, English, and German ancestry. She attended the University of Iowa before pursuing a career in acting.

Career

Seberg's film career began when she was cast at the age of 18 in the title role of Saint Joan (1957), directed by Otto Preminger. Although the film was not a commercial success, it marked the beginning of her acting career. She went on to star in Bonjour Tristesse (1958), also directed by Preminger.

Her breakthrough role came with Breathless (1960), a film that became a cornerstone of the French New Wave cinema. Her portrayal of Patricia Franchini, an American student in Paris, was critically acclaimed and established her as an icon of the era.

Seberg continued to work in both American and European films throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Notable films include Lilith (1964), Paint Your Wagon (1969), and Airport (1970).

Personal Life

Seberg was married three times. Her first marriage was to French lawyer François Moreuil in 1958, but they divorced in 1960. She then married French novelist Romain Gary in 1962, with whom she had a son, Alexandre Diego Gary. They divorced in 1970. Her third marriage was to American filmmaker Dennis Berry in 1972.

Seberg was known for her political activism, particularly her support for the Black Panther Party. This involvement led to her being targeted by the FBI's COINTELPRO program, which sought to discredit her through a campaign of surveillance and harassment.

Death

Jean Seberg was found dead in her car in Paris on August 30, 1979. Her death was ruled a probable suicide, although the circumstances remain controversial. She was buried in the Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris.

Legacy

Seberg's life and career have been the subject of numerous books and films. Her influence on cinema, particularly the French New Wave, remains significant. She is remembered as a talented actress and a symbol of 1960s counterculture.

Also see

• Breathless (1960 film)
• Jean-Luc Godard
• French New Wave
• COINTELPRO
• Black Panther Party