History Creator / ClaudetteColbert

'''Claudette Colbert''', born Émilie "Lily" Chauchoin (September 13, 1903 – July 30, 1996), was a French-American actress from UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfHollywood known for playing modern women with sophisticated wit.

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!!Tropes related Claudette and her film roles:
* {{Golddigger}}: Played this in two films: ''Film/{{Midnight 1939}}'', and ''Film/ThePalmBeachStory''.

'''Claudette Colbert''', born Émilie "Lily" Chauchoin (September 13, 1903 – July 30, 1996), was a French-American actress from TheGoldenAgeOfHollywood known for playing modern women with sophisticated wit.

Claudette began her acting career on Broadway, generally typecast as the FrenchMaid. Wanting to get away from this, she moved to Hollywood in 1928. She signed up with Creator/ParamountPictures, and gradually received roles with the bigwigs of the 1930s Hollywood: ''Film/TheSmilingLieutenant'' directed by ErnstLubitsch, and two CecilBDeMille films, ''The Sign of the Cross'' and ''Cleopatra''.

Then, the movie that changed it all: Creator/FrankCapra’s classic ScrewballComedy ''Film/ItHappenedOneNight''--no one thought it would amount to anything, least of all Claudette. Before the film’s shooting, she famously asked for [[OnlyInItForTheMoney a doubling of her salary (making it $50 000)]] and that the film wrap up before her planned ski vacation. Fortunately, the film succeeded and shot Claudette to movie stardom, winning the AcademyAward for Best Actress and achieving success as a top comedienne.

She’s also the only actress to star in three films nominated for Best Picture in the same year (1934): Capra’s ''Film/ItHappenedOneNight'', CecilBDeMille’s ''Cleopatra'', and John Stahl’s ''Imitation of Life''.

* ''Imitation of Life'' (1934)—Social film about racism; two women from different social strata (one white and one black) become friends, and raise their children together. It follows their rise to wealth, and their tribulations.

* ''Imitation of Life'' (1934)—Social film about racism; two women from different social strata (one white and one black) rise their children together. It follows their rise to wealth, and their tribulations.

* ''Imitation of Life'' (1934)—Social film about racism.

* FakeNationality: Often played American women while actually being French.

!!Her roles provide example of:

Claudette began her acting career on Broadway, generally typecast as the FrenchMaid. Wanting to get away from this, she moved to Hollywood in 1928. She signed up with Creator/ParamountPictures, and gradually received roles with the bigwigs of the 1930s Hollywood: ''Film/TheSmilingLieutenant'' directed by ErnstLubitsch, and two CecilBDeMille films.

Claudette began her acting career on Broadway, generally typecast as the FrenchMaid. Wanting to get away from this, she moved to Hollywood in 1928. She signed up with Creator/ParamountPictures, and gradually received roles with the bigwigs of the early thirties: Creator/MauriceChevalier and Miriam Hopkins in ''Film/TheSmilingLieutenant''.

* {{Golddigger}}: Played this in two films: ''Film/{{Midnight 1939}}, and ''Film/ThePalmBeachStory''.

*

'''Claudette Colbert''' (September 13, 1903 – July 30, 1996) (Émilie "Lily" Chauchoin) was a French-American actress from TheGoldenAgeOfHollywood known for playing modern women with sophisticated wit.

Claudette worked with the best directors of the time (Creator/ErnstLubitsch, Creator/CecilBDeMille, Creator/FrankCapra, and Creator/PrestonSturges), was dedicated to her work, and a shrewd woman; during the 1930s, she was the best paid star in Hollywood, negotiating her way to the top.

Less active in films during the 1950s, she returned to Broadway and received a Tony for her work in "The Marriage Go-Round" (1958), and later, an Emmy for "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles" (1987).

Then, the movie that changed it all: Creator/FrankCapra’s classic ScrewballComedy ''Film/ItHappenedOneNight''--no one thought it would amount to anything, least of all Claudette. Before the film’s shooting, she famously asked for [[OnlyInItForTheMoney a doubling of her salary (making it $50 000)]] and that the film to wrap up before her planned ski vacation. Fortunately, the film succeeded and shot Claudette to movie stardom, winning the AcademyAward for Best Actress and achieving success as a top comedienne.

Then, the movie that changed it all: Creator/FrankCapra’s classic ScrewballComedy ''Film/ItHappenedOneNight''--no one thought it would amount to anything, least of all Claudette. Before the film’s shooting, she famously asked for an advance of $50 000 and that the film to wrap up before her planned ski vacation. Fortunately, the film succeeded and shot Claudette to movie stardom, winning the AcademyAward for Best Actress and achieving success as a top comedienne.

Claudette began her acting career on Broadway, generally typecast as the French maid. Wanting to get away from this, she moved to Hollywood in 1928. She signed up with Creator/ParamountPictures, and gradually received roles with the bigwigs of the early thirties: Creator/MauriceChevalier and Miriam Hopkins in ''Film/TheSmilingLieutenant''.

'''Claudette Colbert''' (September 13, 1903 – July 30, 1996) (Émilie "Lily" Chauchoin) was a French-American actress from TheGoldenAgeOfHollywood known for her modern women roles, and their sophisticated wit.

* ''Film/DrumsAlongTheMohawk (1939)''—Co-starring with Creator/HenryFonda

* ''Film/SinceYouWentAway'' (1944)-- Co-starring Joseph Cotten and Creator/ShirleyTemple.

* ''Film/ThePalmBeachStory''(1942)-- Creator/PrestonSturges' comedy with Joel [=McCrea=].

* ''Film/DrumsAlongTheMohawk''—Co-starring with Creator/HenryFonda
* ''It’s A Wonderful World''—ScrewballComedy with JimmyStewart.
* ''Film/ThePalmBeachStory''-- Creator/PrestonSturges' comedy with Joel [=McCrea=].

Claudette began her acting career on Broadway, generally typecast as the French maid. Wanting to get away from this, she moved to Hollywood in 1928. She signed up with Creator/ParamountPictures, and gradually received roles with the bigwigs of the early thirties: Maurice Chevalier and Miriam Hopkins in ''Film/TheSmilingLieutenant''.

* ''Film/TheSmilingLieutenant'' (1931)— With Miriam Hopkins and Maurice Chevalier.

'''Claudette Colbert''' (September 13, 1903 – July 30, 1996) (Émilie "Lily" Chauchoin) was a French-American actress from TheGoldenAgeOfHollywood known for her sophisticated modern women roles, and their liveliness.

* ''Film/ThePalmBeachStory''-- Creator/PrestonSturges' comedy with Joel McCrea.

Less active in films during the 1950s, she returned to Broadway and received a Tony for her work in "The Marriage Go-Round" (1958) and an Emmy for "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles" (1987).

* ''Film/TheSmilingLieutenant'' (1931)— With Miriam Hopkins and Creator/MauriceChavalier.

* ''Film/Imitation of Life'' (1934)—Social film about racism.

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Claudette began her acting career on Broadway, generally typecast as the French maid. Wanting to get away from this, she moved to Hollywood in 1928. She signed up with Creator/ParamountPictures, and gradually received roles with the bigwigs of the early thirties (Maurice Chevalier and Creator/Miriam Hopkins in ''Film/TheSmilingLieutenant'').

Less active in films in later years, she returned to Broadway and received a Tony for her work in "The Marriage Go-Round" (1958) and an Emmy for "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles" (1987).