Actress Jean Seeberg — the tragic fate of an actress and a fighter for human rights
Jean Seberg became a bright star of French cinema, although she was born and raised in the USA. This actress became famous not only for her talent, but also for kindness, courage and integrity. Unfortunately, having all these qualities is deadly for a public person. The irreconcilable struggle against injustice led Seeberg to a tragic death.
Jean Seberg was born in 1938 in the most ordinary American family, where no one was connected with art. Despite this, Jean was convinced of her talent from childhood and planned to conquer the whole world. Without a doubt, she was talented and even in her school years stood out among her peers. Seeberg sang and danced, but she shone most brightly in the productions of the school theater. Often her creative life interfered with her studies, but Jean herself and her classmates were sure that her future was in Hollywood.
After graduating from high school, the ambitious girl entered the University of Iowa at the Faculty of Dramatic Art. Soon her first film debut took place. Jean Seeberg saw the casting announcement for the role of Joan of Arc in Otto Preminger's film and easily got it. The young actress was perfect for this image and played it brilliantly. But film critics did not appreciate the picture, and Seberg's finest hour did not take place.
Despite this, Otto Preminger was confident in his ward and shot her in the next picture — "Hello, sadness!". This time everything worked out and Jean was noticed. It cannot be said that Seberg became a star, but other directors began to invite her. Once Jean was offered to star in the French film "On the Last Breath" with sami Jean-Paul Belmondo. After this job, Seberg became a real movie star, though in Europe.
On the set of the movie "Hello, sadness!" Jean met the popular French humorist Francois Moray. Soon they got married. But this marriage turned out to be short—lived - Seeberg soon realized that the decision was hasty and they were too different people. Jean wanted to get a divorce, but Francois was against it.
The divorce still took place when Seeberg met a new love. It was the French consul, writer, military pilot and hero of the Second World War Romain Gary. Jean said it was love at first sight. Feelings flared up as soon as they were introduced to each other. Gary and Seberg were perfect for each other. They both had a keen sense of justice and courageously rushed to defend the truth, without thinking about the consequences.
Gary was also not free, but immediately divorced his wife. Soon Jean and Romain got married and became a happy young family. In 1962, their son Alexander Diego was born. They were madly in love with each other, but their lives were overshadowed by Gary's pathological jealousy. He was jealous of his wife for everyone. As a result, the suspicious husband even demanded that he be allowed to be on the set so that Jean would always be under his supervision. This upset Seeberg and prevented her from working.
Quarrels began in the family and Jean no longer aspired to go home as before. She found herself in social activities. Seeberg contacted the left-wing organization "Black Panthers", which defended the rights of blacks. The actress became a sponsor of the Panthers and their face. She appeared at all their major rallies and actions. Since the Black Panthers were accused of terrorism, Seberg soon came to the attention of the powerful FBI.
The bureau wanted Seeberg to shut up and start a campaign to discredit her. When the actress announced her second pregnancy, rumors spread that the father of the unborn child was not Gary, but Robert Sale — the dark-skinned leader of the Panthers. The harassment of Seaberg in the press began and many fans and even friends turned away from the woman. Romain believed his wife, but his attempts to protect her were sluggish and clumsy.
The shocks prevented Jean from carrying the baby, and her daughter was born prematurely. The premature baby lived only a few days. Seeberg specially invited journalists to the funeral so that everyone could make sure that she has absolutely white skin. After the death of the child, Seberg and Gary could no longer stay in the United States and left for France.
Overseas, they planned to start life with a clean slate, but the past did not let Jean go. She never recovered from the shock and was constantly in a state of depression. The woman tried to find solace in alcohol, antidepressants, and later in drugs. The husband tried unsuccessfully to help Seeberg, but the family soon broke up. The reason was not the lifestyle of the actress, but her new novel.
Seberg and Gary divorced, but remained good friends. Jean started living with a new man, but life didn't work out. Her lover was not rich, and she herself was very rarely filmed. The ex-husband, having good connections, persuaded familiar directors to cooperate with Seberg, and at the same time he supported Jean and her roommate.
The shocks knocked down Seaberg, but helped Romain Gari to mobilize his forces. After the divorce, he wrote several good books and even received the prestigious Goncourt Prize. According to his script, the film "The Light of a Woman" was shot, which premiered on August 29, 1979. Gary invited Jean to the show as well. This was the last time the actress was seen alive.
Right after the movie show, Jean disappeared. Her body was found only 10 days later on the outskirts of Paris. Seeberg was lying in the backseat of a white Renault car, wrapped in a white blanket. A suicide note was clutched in her hand. The autopsy showed that the actress died from an overdose of sleeping pills, which she also washed down with alcohol. The police immediately declared this case a suicide and a couple of days later the case was closed.
The man of her whole life, Romain Gary, lived for a little more than a year and also committed suicide. He left a note in which he asked not to link his death with the death of his ex-wife. The true reason for Gary's suicide has not been named.