Jeanmarie, Renée

(1924- )

   dancer, singer

   Born in Paris, Renée Jeanmarie, or Zizi, as she is known, began her career at the Paris Opéra before turning to ballet and becoming the star of the Ballet de Paris, directed by roland petit (1949). She danced brilliant and spiritual interpretations of Carmen, La Croqueuse de diamants, and La Rose des vents. Engaged by Hollywood, she appeared in several successful films (Hans Christian Anderson, Folies-Bergère) before beginning a career as a music-hall singer, first at the Alhambra, then at the Casino de Paris, where she became director along with her husband, Roland Petit.