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Irene JacobSwiss actress of French origin.
Date of Birth: 15.07.1966
Country:  France |
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Biography of Irene Jacob
Early Life and EducationIrene Jacob is a Swiss actress of French origin. She was born into a family of a renowned theoretical physicist, Maurice Jacob. She was the fourth child and the only daughter, growing up with her older brothers - Thierry, Francis, and Jimmy. Her mother, Lisa Jacob, worked as a psychologist. When Irene was three years old, the family relocated from Paris to Geneva. Irene's parents were passionate cinephiles and music lovers. All the children were involved in creative activities from an early age, but only Irene and Francis pursued careers in the arts. The other two brothers followed in their father's footsteps and chose scientific paths. Irene's interest in cinema was sparked after watching Charlie Chaplin films, as they evoked a range of emotions in her. Alongside her passion for film, Irene also learned to play the violin and piano at the Geneva Conservatory school. She found solace on stage, as it allowed her to express emotions that were not openly discussed within her family. After completing high school, Irene returned to Paris and enrolled in the National Higher School of Dramatic Arts, where renowned actors such as Michel Omon and Annie Girardot had studied in the past.
Acting Career in Theater and Film
Irene Jacob's acting career began in 1987. Her first role as piano teacher Mademoiselle Davenne in Louis Malle's drama "Au revoir les enfants" gained attention from critics and audiences alike. However, it was her collaboration with Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski that allowed her to fully showcase her talent and portray complex psychological characters. In 1991, Irene delivered a brilliant performance in Kieslowski's film "The Double Life of Veronique" and received a well-deserved award at the Cannes Film Festival. In this multi-layered story, Irene played dual roles, embodying a talented singer and a French tourist, showcasing the contrasting personalities. Irene also appeared in another film by Kieslowski, the poignant drama "Three Colors: Red," the final installment of his trilogy. Kieslowski passed away in 1996 at the age of 55. In this film, Irene, who was nominated for Cesar and BAFTA awards, shared the screen with Jean-Louis Trintignant and Jean-Pierre Lorit.
From the mid-1990s, Irene Jacob worked extensively with European directors, and each film she participated in became a revelation. For example, in Eldar Ryazanov's melodrama "Prediction," she played the role of cashier Ludmila Yegorova, appearing alongside Oleg Basilashvili and Andrei Sokolov. She agreed to be part of the project after seeing other works from the renowned Soviet and Russian director. Irene always carefully selected her projects, and she turned down lucrative offers, including those from Hollywood filmmakers.
Irene's European works garnered significant attention. She played Desdemona in Oliver Parker's adaptation of William Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello," opposite Laurence Fishburne as the jealous Othello. Irene also appeared in Michelangelo Antonioni's final film, the melodrama "Beyond the Clouds," which gathered a constellation of stars, including John Malkovich, Sophie Marceau, Jean Reno, and Marcello Mastroianni.
Personal Life
Irene Jacob's personal life has been stable for many years. In 2000, she married her fellow actor Jerome Kircher. Kircher is known for his roles in films such as "Engagement" and "The Vengeance of a Poor Man." Together, they raised two sons who followed in their parents' footsteps and became actors. Samuel Kircher made an appearance in the 2023 film "Last Summer," and Paul Kircher appeared in "Kingdom of Animals."
While Irene is not highly active on social media, her Instagram account features rare snapshots with her sons and mother, as well as archival photos from her childhood.
Current Endeavors
In late winter 2023, Irene Jacob appeared in the thriller film "Connected," directed by Stephen Hopkins. She starred alongside Eva Green and Vincent Cassel. In early August, the television premiere of the drama "Caprice Villa," released in 2020, took place on the First Channel. Irene was part of the cast, which included Niels Arestrup, Patrick Bruel, and Michel Bouquet.
