Catherine Lachens

Born

1945-09-02

Died

2023-09-27

Birthplace

Boulogne-Billancourt, Seine [now Hauts-de-Seine], France

Biography

Catherine Lachens (born on September 2, 1945 in Boulogne-Billancourt (France) and died on September 27, 2023 in Paris), was a French actress with a flamboyant temperament, known for her glibness, husky voice and boundless energy. From a modest background, she worked in a variety of odd jobs before making her film debut in 1973 in Nina Companeez's L'Histoire très bonne et très joyeuse de Colinot trousse-chemise, alongside Brigitte Bardot. She went on to play a series of roles in popular comedies, working with directors such as Georges Lautner (Flic ou voyou, Mort d'un pourri), Philippe de Broca, Claude Zidi and Jean Yanne. She plays a variety of characters, from the big-hearted prostitute to the eccentric bourgeoise, from the school principal to the passionate teacher. On the stage, she alternates between the classics and contemporary plays, acting in Molière, Feydeau, Genet and Ionesco, under the direction of renowned directors such as Marcel Maréchal, Daniel Mesguich and Andrzej Wajda. She also performs internationally, notably in Russia. On television, she took part in shows such as L'Académie des neuf in the 1980s, then appeared in popular series such as Navarro, Sous le soleil and Scènes de ménages. A multi-talented artist, she also dabbles in sculpture, exhibiting alongside other artists such as Anny Duperey and Amanda Lear. In 2016, she was awarded the "Prix Reconnaissance".