Charlotte Valandrey

Charlotte Valandrey (29 November 1968 – 13 July 2022) was a French actress and author.

After early success she was widely tipped for stardom, but her career took a more modest course until the release of her autobiography in 2005.

Spouse Arthur Le Caisne (1999-2002).

Early life

Born Anne-Charlotte Pascal into an affluent family, Valandrey grew up in Brittany in north-western France. From the age of six she lived in the small coastal town of Val-André, from which she took her professional name in 1985.

Career

Valandrey's debut film was Véra Belmont's 1985 political drama Red Kiss, in which she played Nadia. Her highly acclaimed performance as a young communist in 1950s Paris was rewarded with a César award nomination for "Most Promising Actress" the following year but she eventually lost to Charlotte Gainsbourg. She also won the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 36th Berlin International Film Festival. In 1986, she appeared in the music video for David Bowie's song "As The World Falls Down" from the soundtrack for the movie Labyrinth (1986), although the video went unreleased until 1993.

Personal life

Valandrey's autobiography, "L'Amour dans le sang" ("Love in the Blood"; published in 2005), revealed her HIV status and the effect it had on her career. She also received a heart transplant in August 2003.

In March 2007, after selling over 280,000 copies of her book, Charlotte gave approval for its adaptation in the TV movie, L'Amour dans le sang. Produced by Dominique Besnehard for Mon Voisin Productions, it was first broadcast on 23 November 2008 on France 3.

Charlotte was a patron of the Greffe de vie ("Foundation of Life Registry") and was committed to the cause of organ donation and transplantation.

In 2001, she gave birth to her daughter Tara, who is HIV-negative. On 4 November 2003 she underwent a heart transplant.