Isabelle Adjani then and now (1970 - 2025)

Isabelle Adjani's career began in the early 1970s when she made her film debut at the age of 14 with Le Petit Bougnat in 1970. She quickly gained recognition for her talent and beauty, becoming a prominent figure in French cinema. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she was known for her intense performances in a range of roles, often portraying complex, emotionally charged characters.

In 1975, she received widespread acclaim for her performance in The Story of Adele H.*, directed by François Truffaut, which earned her a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actress. Her breakthrough continued with films like *Possession (1981), where she delivered an unforgettable performance that showcased her versatility and emotional depth.

The 1980s marked some of her most significant successes. She won her first César Award for Best Actress for her role in The Queendom of the Heart (1983), and she cemented her status as one of France’s leading actresses with roles in films like Camille Claudel (1988), for which she won another César and received international recognition. Her portrayal of the artist Camille Claudel, alongside Gérard Depardieu, is one of her most iconic.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Adjani continued to take on diverse roles in both French and international cinema. Her work included movies such as La Reine Margot (1994), in which she portrayed the tragic queen Margot, earning another César Award for Best Actress.

Although she became more selective in her roles in the later stages of her career, Adjani remained a respected figure in the French film industry, occasionally appearing in both high-profile films and more experimental projects. She also ventured into the world of music with the release of a successful album in the 1990s.

More recently, Adjani has taken on fewer film roles, but she continues to be an influential and beloved figure in French culture, known for her powerful screen presence and ability to bring intense emotion and depth to her performances.