Lila Kedrova French actress of Russian origin Date of Birth: 09.10.1918 Country: Canada

1. Early Life and Emigration
2. Introduction to the Arts
3. Theater Debut and Stage Success
4. Film Breakthrough
5. Hollywood Career
6. Broadway Debut and Theatre Success
7. Personal Life and Later Years

Early Life and Emigration

Lizzie N. Kedrova was born in Petrograd, Russia, on October 9, 1918. Her parents, Nikolai and Sofia Kedrov, were both musicians, her father being a baritone singer and her mother a lyric soprano. The family fled Russia due to the Civil War, first to Germany and then to France, settling in Paris in 1928.

Introduction to the Arts

Growing up in a musical household, Kedrova began playing the piano and singing at a young age. Despite her parents' hopes for her to pursue a musical career, Kedrova felt drawn to theater. At 14, she joined the Art Theater troupe in Paris and studied the Stanislavski method.

Theater Debut and Stage Success

Kedrova made her stage debut in 1945 and quickly established herself as a talented actress. She performed in various Parisian theaters and married Pierre Valde, an actor and director. In the late 1940s, she adopted the stage name Lili Kedrova.

Film Breakthrough

Kedrova's film debut came in 1938 with "Ultimatum." However, it was her role as the elderly innkeeper Madame Hortense in "Zorba the Greek" (1964) that brought her international acclaim. This performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Hollywood Career

Following "Zorba the Greek," Kedrova went on to star in over 60 films and television shows, including Hollywood productions. She appeared in films such as "Torn Curtain" (1966), "The Kremlin Letter" (1970), and "The Scarlet Letter" (1973).

Broadway Debut and Theatre Success

In 1983, Kedrova made her Broadway debut in the stage adaptation of "Zorba the Greek," earning Tony and Drama Desk Awards for her performance. This marked a significant achievement in her career, further solidifying her status as a respected actress.

Personal Life and Later Years

Kedrova married Richard Howard, a Canadian opera director, in 1968. The couple traveled extensively and lived in Toronto, Paris, and Ontario. Kedrova passed away on February 16, 2000, at her summer home in Ontario, due to heart failure from complications of Alzheimer's disease.