Memorial Page for Magali Noël (née Magali Françoise Noëlle Camille Guiffray)

Magali Noël, born Magali-Noëlle Guiffray (27 June 1931 in Izmir; died 23 June 2015 in Châteauneuf-Grasse), was a French actress and singer. She appeared in films by Jules Dassin, Jean Renoir, Costa-Gavras and Federico Fellini, connecting cinema, chanson, cabaret, theatre and music hall.

Izmir and Paris

Noël was born in Izmir to French parents. She grew up in Turkey and came to France in the early 1950s. There she began working as a singer, dancer and actress. Her stage and cabaret experience also shaped her early film roles: she appeared with presence without being fixed to a single type of part.

Early films

In the 1950s Noël worked with several directors of French cinema. She appeared in Razzia sur la chnouf, Les Grandes Manoeuvres and Jean Renoir's Elena et les hommes. Jules Dassin's Du rififi chez les hommes brought her a wider film audience in 1955. Its mix of crime story, nightclub setting and controlled stage presence suited her early screen effect.

Boris Vian

In 1956 Noël recorded Fais-moi mal Johnny, written by Boris Vian and composed by Alain Goraguer. The song connected French chanson with early rock'n'roll and was kept off radio for a time because of its lyrics. Noël remained close to Vian's songs and later returned to his work in stage programs.

Fellini and Amarcord

Federico Fellini cast Noël in La dolce vita, Satyricon and Amarcord. In Amarcord she played Gradisca, a figure of memory, projection and everyday comedy. Noël gave the role warmth, irony and carefully placed physical expression without reducing it to decoration. She also worked with Costa-Gavras in Z and later with Chantal Akerman, Tonie Marshall and Andrzej Żuławski.

Châteauneuf-Grasse

Magali Noël died in Châteauneuf-Grasse on 23 June 2015. She was 83 years old. Her path remains connected with French postwar cinema, Fellini's Italian cinema and a chanson that showed early how cheeky and rhythmic French pop music could sound.