The actress Claire Maurier, seen in Amélie Poulain and A Family Resemblance, has died at the age of 97.

The world of cinema is in mourning. Actress Claire Maurier passed away this Sunday, May 3, 2026 at the age of 97, as announced by her husband to the AFP. Known for her supporting roles, Claire Maurier had a career spanning over seven decades in cinema, theatre, and television, establishing herself as a prominent figure in the film industry. Born Odette Agramon in 1929 in Ceret (Pyrénées-Orientales), she adopted the stage name Claire Maurier and began her career in theater in the early 1950s while also working in television.

In 1950, she made her entry into the world of cinema with a significant role alongside François Truffaut. Under the direction of the filmmaker, she portrayed Gilberte Doinel, the volatile and complex mother of Antoine Doinel in “Les Quatre Cents Coups,” one of the most iconic films of the French New Wave.

An actress who navigated between art-house cinema and popular films

While Truffaut offered her her first major role, Claire Maurier also chose to act in popular comedies. In 1963, she starred alongside Fernandel and Bourvil in “La cuisine au beurre,” a phenomenal success of French cinema in the early 1960s. In 1971, she appeared alongside the illustrious Louis de Funès in “Jo.” In the 1980s, she reached new heights with her role as Madeleine in “La Cage aux folles,” a performance that has remained memorable.

This comedy, released in 1978 and adapted from a stage play, was a hit both domestically and internationally, including in the United States. In 1981, she received a nomination for the César Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Un mauvais fils” by Claude Sautet, alongside Patrick Dewaere and Brigitte Fossey.

The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain

After taking a break to focus on theater, where she appeared in “Un air de famille,” written by Agnès Jaoui and Jean-Pierre Bacri, she returned in 2001 in “The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain,” directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

She played a former equestrian dancer turned café owner in Montmartre who employs Amélie Poulain, played by Audrey Tautou. This role introduced Claire Maurier to a new generation of viewers. One of her final roles was in 2010, in the film “La Tête en friche” by Jean Becker, where she starred alongside Gérard Depardieu. An admirable career.