Actress Claire Maurier, seen in Amélie Poulain and Family Resemblances, 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 AFP. Known for her supporting roles, Claire Maurier spanned over seven decades of cinema, theater, and television, establishing herself as a key figure in the seventh art. Born Odette Agramon in 1929 in Céret (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 stepped into the world of cinema through a prominent 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 New Wave.

A versatile actress in art house and popular films

While Truffaut gave her her first major role, Claire Maurier also chose to act in popular comedies. In 1963, she starred with Fernandel and Bourvil in “La cuisine au beurre,” a phenomenal success of French cinema in the early 1960s. In 1971, she appeared alongside the legendary 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 left a lasting impression.

The comedy released in 1978, 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 notably starred in “Un air de famille,” the play 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 acted alongside Gérard Depardieu. An admirable career.