Jacqueline Bisset has been a global cinema star since the late 1960s. Initially recognized for her stunning beauty, she has evolved into a respected actress acclaimed by both critics and audiences. She has worked with renowned directors like Roman Polanski, John Huston, François Truffaut, and George Cukor, and shared the screen with Anthony Quinn, Paul Newman, Nick Nolte, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Kenneth Branagh, and Marcello Mastroianni.
Despite her distinctly French-sounding name, Bisset was raised in England and had to learn French. Her mother, a French attorney before her marriage, influenced her early life significantly. Jacqueline grew up studying ballet, which contributed to her poised and graceful demeanor.
Jacqueline’s striking looks have made significant impacts, notably in a scene where she swam underwater in a film, unintentionally popularizing the wet T-shirt trend. This scene led Newsweek magazine to declare her “the most beautiful film actress of all time.” Producer Peter Guber famously said, “That T-shirt made me a rich man.” However, Bisset herself felt exploited by these scenes, as she was not informed they would be shot in such a revealing manner. Despite her reservations, the film’s success established her as a bankable star, and she continued to land high-profile roles, including one in a thinly veiled dramatization of the marriage between Aristotle Onassis and Jacqueline Kennedy.
While Bisset has never married, she has been in several long-term relationships with notable figures including Russian dancer and actor Alexander Godunov, Moroccan real estate tycoon Victor Drai, Canadian actor Michael Sarrazin, Swiss actor Vincent Perez, and Turkish martial arts instructor Emin Boztepe. She often faced questions about her single status and decision not to have children. She once remarked at age 32 that she “couldn’t in good conscience do what I do and have children,” citing the challenges faced by children in Hollywood. Bisset was effectively a stepmother in her relationships with Sarrazin and Boztepe, both of whom had children from previous relationships.
An interesting fact about Bisset is that she is the godmother to Angelina Jolie, adding another layer to her fascinating personal life.
