Foreign Actresses You Might Not Know Have Passed Away

Cinema is a global language that introduces audiences to incredible talent from every corner of the world. Many international stars have made significant impacts on Hollywood and their local industries before leaving us. While some deaths dominate headlines, others may have occurred quietly or several years ago without widespread realization. This list honors the legacies of these remarkable women who graced the screen with their presence.

Maggie Smith

This legendary British actress captivated audiences for decades with her sharp wit and commanding presence on stage and screen. She gained massive international fame for her role as Professor McGonagall in the ‘Harry Potter’ series and the Dowager Countess in ‘Downton Abbey’. Her career began in the theater where she established herself as a formidable talent before transitioning to cinema. She passed away in 2024 leaving behind a legacy that includes two Academy Awards and countless memorable performances.

Anouk Aimée

This French icon was best known for her role in the international sensation ‘A Man and a Woman’ which earned her an Oscar nomination. She worked with some of the most prestigious directors in cinema history including Federico Fellini in ‘La Dolce Vita’ and ‘8½’. Her sophisticated elegance and enigmatic screen presence defined a golden era of European filmmaking. She passed away in June 2024 at her home in Paris.

Cheng Pei-pei

Known as the Queen of Swords she was a pioneering figure in Chinese martial arts cinema during the 1960s. She achieved renewed global recognition later in life for her role as the villainous Jade Fox in ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’. Her career spanned decades during which she inspired generations of female action stars with her grace and combat skills. She passed away in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2024.

Jane Birkin

This British-French actress and singer became a fashion icon and a symbol of 1960s bohemian style. She starred in critically acclaimed films like ‘Blow-Up’ and ‘La Piscine’ while cultivating a successful music career in France. Her artistic partnership with Serge Gainsbourg resulted in some of the most famous French pop songs of the twentieth century. She passed away in Paris in 2023 at the age of 76.

Glenda Jackson

She was one of the few performers to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting with two Academy Awards to her name. After a highly successful career in films like ‘Women in Love’ and ‘A Touch of Class’ she took a long hiatus to serve as a Member of Parliament in the UK. She eventually returned to acting and won a Tony Award shortly before her death. She passed away in 2023 after a brief illness.

Gina Lollobrigida

This Italian actress was one of the highest-profile European stars of the 1950s and 1960s. She was known internationally as a sex symbol who starred in films like ‘Beat the Devil’ and ‘Beautiful but Dangerous’. Later in life she shifted her focus to photojournalism and sculpture while remaining a beloved figure in Italy. She passed away in Rome in 2023 at the age of 95.

Irene Papas

This Greek actress gained international acclaim for her powerful performances in films such as ‘The Guns of Navarone’ and ‘Zorba the Greek’. Her career spanned more than fifty years and included celebrated roles in both cinema and ancient Greek tragedies on stage. She possessed a distinct and intense dramatic presence that made her a favorite of directors worldwide. She passed away in 2022 after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Angela Lansbury

Although she became an American icon through ‘Murder, She Wrote’ she was born in London and began her career as a British character actress. She earned nominations for her very first film role in ‘Gaslight’ and continued to work steadily in movies and theater for eight decades. Her vast contributions to entertainment were recognized with an Honorary Academy Award later in life. She passed away in her sleep in 2022.

Monica Vitti

She was the muse of director Michelangelo Antonioni and became the face of Italian modernist cinema in the 1960s. Her roles in ‘L’Avventura’ and ‘Red Desert’ showcased her ability to convey complex internal emotions with subtle expressions. She later transitioned successfully to comedy and became one of the most beloved stars in Italy. She passed away in 2022 after a long battle with dementia.

Helen McCrory

This British actress was widely admired for her intense and charismatic performances on both stage and screen. She gained global recognition for her roles as Narcissa Malfoy in the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise and Polly Gray in ‘Peaky Blinders’. Her work at the National Theatre in London earned her immense respect within the acting community. She passed away in 2021 after a private battle with cancer.

Diana Rigg

She became a cultural icon in the 1960s as Emma Peel in the British television series ‘The Avengers’. She later gained a new generation of fans for her role as Olenna Tyrell in the hit series ‘Game of Thrones’. Her career also included a memorable performance as the only woman to marry James Bond in ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. She passed away in 2020 at the age of 82.

Honor Blackman

Best known for her role as Pussy Galore in the James Bond film ‘Goldfinger’ she was a prominent figure in British cinema. She also starred as Cathy Gale in ‘The Avengers’ before Diana Rigg took over the lead female role. Her career included extensive work in theater and television where she remained active well into her eighties. She passed away in 2020 from natural causes.

Anna Karina

This Danish-French actress was the face of the French New Wave and the muse of director Jean-Luc Godard. She starred in influential films such as ‘A Woman Is a Woman’ and ‘Band of Outsiders’ which defined the cinematic style of the 1960s. Her distinctive look and charm made her an enduring icon of European art house cinema. She passed away in 2019 in Paris.

Bibi Andersson

She was a Swedish actress best known for her frequent collaborations with legendary director Ingmar Bergman. Her performance in the psychological drama ‘Persona’ is considered one of the greatest in the history of cinema. She worked internationally in both European and American films throughout her distinguished career. She passed away in 2019.

Machiko Kyō

This Japanese actress was a star of the Golden Age of Japanese cinema and worked with its most celebrated directors. She starred in Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Rashomon’ and Kenji Mizoguchi’s ‘Ugetsu’ which introduced Japanese film to Western audiences. Her versatility allowed her to play everything from ghosts to modern women with equal skill. She passed away in 2019 at the age of 95.

Setsuko Hara

She was known as the Eternal Virgin of Japanese cinema and was the favorite actress of director Yasujirō Ozu. Her performances in films like ‘Tokyo Story’ and ‘Late Spring’ are revered for their subtle emotional depth. She abruptly retired from acting in 1963 and lived in seclusion in Kamakura until her death. She passed away in 2015 but the news was not released until months later.

Kirin Kiki

This veteran Japanese actress was known for her ability to bring warmth and humor to grandmotherly roles. She gained international acclaim late in life for her work with director Hirokazu Kore-eda in films like ‘Shoplifters’. Her candid personality and resilience while battling cancer made her a beloved figure in Japan. She passed away in 2018.

Sridevi

She was often cited as the first female superstar of Indian cinema and worked in multiple languages including Hindi and Tamil. Her ability to carry films solely on her star power changed the landscape for actresses in Bollywood. She made a triumphant return to acting with ‘English Vinglish’ after a long hiatus. She passed away accidentally in Dubai in 2018.

Charlbi Dean

This South African actress and model was on the verge of a major breakthrough when she died suddenly. She starred in the satirical film ‘Triangle of Sadness’ which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Her performance was widely praised and she was expected to have a bright future in Hollywood. She passed away in 2022 from a sudden illness.

Ronit Elkabetz

She was one of the most acclaimed actresses and directors in Israeli cinema. Her work often explored the lives of women in traditional society and she became a powerful voice in the industry. She received widespread praise for her role in the film ‘Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem’ which she also directed. She passed away in 2016 after fighting cancer.

Emmanuelle Riva

This French actress achieved fame early in her career with ‘Hiroshima Mon Amour’ and saw a resurgence in her eighties. She became the oldest Best Actress nominee in Oscar history for her heartbreaking role in ‘Amour’. Her performance in that film was universally acclaimed for its unflinching portrayal of physical decline. She passed away in 2017.

Jeanne Moreau

She was a giant of French cinema who worked with the most important directors of her time including Truffaut and Malle. Her role in ‘Jules and Jim’ remains one of the most iconic performances in New Wave history. She was known for her intellectual depth and refusal to conform to traditional beauty standards. She passed away in Paris in 2017.

Maria Schneider

This French actress became world-famous overnight for her controversial role alongside Marlon Brando in ‘Last Tango in Paris’. The experience affected her deeply and she spent much of her later career advocating for the protection of actresses. She continued to work in European cinema despite her complicated relationship with fame. She passed away in 2011 after a long illness.

Sylvia Kristel

This Dutch actress became an international symbol of the 1970s due to her role in the erotic film series ‘Emmanuelle’. While the role defined her public image she also appeared in mainstream films and worked in Hollywood for a time. She lived a colorful life that she detailed in her autobiography. She passed away in 2012 from cancer.

Virna Lisi

She was an Italian actress who briefly conquered Hollywood in the 1960s appearing opposite Jack Lemmon in ‘How to Murder Your Wife’. She famously turned down the role of Barbarella to return to Europe and pursue more serious dramatic work. Her career in Italy flourished for decades and she won a Best Actress award at Cannes. She passed away in 2014.

Anita Ekberg

Born in Sweden she became an international sex symbol and is immortalized for her fountain scene in ‘La Dolce Vita’. She worked extensively in Italy and became a permanent fixture of Roman celebrity culture. Her glamorous image often overshadowed her acting work but she remained a cinema icon. She passed away in Italy in 2015.

Ingrid Thulin

She was another key member of Ingmar Bergman’s ensemble and appeared in films like ‘Wild Strawberries’ and ‘Cries and Whispers’. Her performances were often marked by a cool intelligence and intense emotional suffering. She was considered one of the most technically skilled actresses in Swedish history. She passed away in Stockholm in 2004.

Gunnel Lindblom

Starting her career in the theater she became a frequent collaborator of Ingmar Bergman in films such as ‘The Seventh Seal’. She eventually transitioned into directing and became a respected filmmaker in her own right. Her work remained vital to the Swedish cultural landscape for over sixty years. She passed away in 2021.

Delphine Seyrig

This French actress was known for her sophisticated voice and presence in avant-garde masterpieces like ‘Last Year at Marienbad’. She was also a committed feminist who used her platform to advocate for women in the film industry. Her work with director Chantal Akerman in ‘Jeanne Dielman’ is considered a landmark of feminist cinema. She passed away in 1990.

Stéphane Audran

She was a prominent French actress known for her cool elegance and her work with director Claude Chabrol. She starred in the Oscar-winning film ‘The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie’ and the acclaimed ‘Babette’s Feast’. Her ability to play complex and often detached characters made her a star of European art cinema. She passed away in 2018.

Marie-France Pisier

She began her career as a teenager in the French New Wave film ‘Antoine and Colette’ by François Truffaut. She later won two César Awards and became a respected intellectual figure in the French film industry. Her sudden death in her swimming pool remains a tragic mystery to her fans. She passed away in 2011.

Bernadette Lafont

She was a spirited and unconventional actress who became a star of the French New Wave in the late 1950s. She worked with directors like Claude Chabrol and François Truffaut in films that challenged bourgeois morality. Her career experienced a revival in her later years with the hit comedy ‘Paulette’. She passed away in 2013.

Susannah York

This British actress was a major star of the 1960s and earned an Oscar nomination for ‘They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?’. She also played Superman’s mother in the 1978 blockbuster film starring Christopher Reeve. She remained active in theater and television throughout her life and wrote children’s books. She passed away in 2011 from cancer.

Lynn Redgrave

Part of the famous Redgrave acting dynasty she made a splash in the 1960s with her role in ‘Georgy Girl’. She worked extensively in the United States and received a second Oscar nomination for ‘Gods and Monsters’ later in her career. She was also a successful playwright who wrote and performed in her own one-woman shows. She passed away in 2010.

Natasha Richardson

The daughter of Vanessa Redgrave she was a talented actress known for ‘The Parent Trap’ and her Tony-winning stage work. She was married to actor Liam Neeson and was a beloved figure in both the London and New York theater communities. Her life was cut short following a tragic skiing accident in Canada. She passed away in 2009.

Katrin Cartlidge

She was a British actress known for her work in independent films like ‘Naked’ and ‘Breaking the Waves’. Her raw and intense performances made her a favorite of directors like Mike Leigh and Lars von Trier. Her sudden death at a young age robbed the industry of a unique and powerful talent. She passed away in 2002 from pneumonia complications.

Zsa Zsa Gabor

Although she became famous in America she was born in Hungary and began her career in Vienna. She was known more for her glamorous lifestyle and many marriages than for her film roles later in life. However she appeared in ‘Moulin Rouge’ and ‘Touch of Evil’ during her acting prime. She passed away in 2016 just months shy of her 100th birthday.

Daria Nicolodi

This Italian actress and screenwriter was a key figure in the Giallo horror genre. She co-wrote the classic ‘Suspiria’ and starred in many films directed by her partner Dario Argento including ‘Deep Red’. She was the mother of actress Asia Argento and remained a cult icon for horror fans. She passed away in 2020.

Eunice Gayson

She holds the distinction of being the very first Bond girl to appear on screen in ‘Dr. No’. She played the character Sylvia Trench and is one of the few Bond girls to appear in two films. Her career also included roles in Hammer horror films and various British television series. She passed away in 2018 at the age of 90.

Please tell us in the comments which of these actresses had the biggest impact on your love for cinema.