Jacqueline Bisset is magnificent – in so many ways.
In a career spanning 58 years and a portfolio that includes about 50 films, the 78-year-old actress shows no signs of slowing down.
Jacqueline Bisset has been one of my role models since I was a very little girl, my parents just loved her. To me, she really is one of the few actresses that represent the glamour that Hollywood once had.
I admire her aging naturally and always thought she had a very natural beauty and sex appeal. She never wore tons of makeup.
Throughout her storied career, the brown-haired beauty, known for her high cheekbones and striking green eyes, has demonstrated her versatility by playing a range of characters including the sultry seductress Miss Goodthighs in the spy parody Casino Royale (1967), a devoted mother in Sleepy Time Gal (2001), First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in America’s Prince: The John F. Kennedy Jr. Story (2003) and Anna Karenina (1985) in the sweeping love story of the same name, where she starred opposite Christopher Reeves.
Bisset made her first on-screen appearance in Roman Polanski’s Cul-de-Sac (1966) and gained notoriety in 1968 when she starred in back-to-back films in one single year: Detective with crooner Frank Sinatra, Bullitt with Steven McQueen, and her Golden Globe-nominated performance in The Sweet Ride with Tony Franciosa and Bob Denver, who’s famously known as Gilligan on Gilligan’s Island.
You’ll also recognize her from her performances in Day for Night (1973), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), The Deep (1977), Wild Orchid (1990), her Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated role in Joan of Arc (1999), her Golden Globe-winning role in the miniseries Dancing on the Edge (2013), Miss You Already (2015) and Birds of Paradise (2021).
In 2010, the multilingual actor–she speaks English, French and Italian–was awarded the Legion of Honor, the highest state order in France, and in 2023, Sedona International Film Festival recognized Bisset with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Despite filming with some of Hollywood’s hottest men, Bisset has never been married. The stunning woman was pursued by Frank Sinatra, and rumors swirled that she was involved with Bullitt co-star, Hollywood bad boy, Steve McQueen. But Bisset, a proper English lady, said they were too different.
Referring to McQueen, she said in an interview with the Daily Mail, “He was attractive, but a little scary. I was very English and he was a hip American. The way he talked would have driven me mad–I didn’t know what a dude or a soul chick was!”
She’s had long-term relationships with Canadian actor Michael Sarrazin, the ballet dancer Alexander Godunov and actor Vincent Pérez, but she admits she’s too independent for anything permanent.
In an interview with the Independent, Bisset said, “I’ve had some very interesting men in my life. They have been a handful. I don’t choose easy men, I’m told.” She continued, “Sometimes you get too much information when you spend time with people. You start to see things–bad habits. You start to discover them and then you have to marry bad habits and I’m not sure I can cope with them. I don’t ever have bad relationships. I haven’t broken up angry. I’ve just moved out of situations that have been overwhelming.”
Though Bisset–Godmother to Angelina Jolie–hasn’t made headlines for having outrageous relationships, she was trending after she won the Golden Globe for her portrayal as Lady Cremone in the BBC series Dancing on the Edge.
Her acceptance speech, with the background music playing to signal her off the stage, was mostly filled with ramblings but demonstrated genuine gratitude from the then 69-year-old, who had been waiting 47 years to win, since her first nomination for best newcomer.
Since then, she starred as a sassy femme fatale in the French thriller The Lodger (2020), and most recently, she appeared in the film Loren & Rose (2022). Bisset plays the lead character Rose, a legendary actor trying to re-establish her career, who’s bound by a reputation that casts her as being a “little zany and a bit unreliable.”
According to the film’s director Russell Brown, the character of Rose is the opposite of Bisset in real life. Brown said, “Viewers often assume that Jacqueline is ‘like she is in the movie.’ But this really isn’t the case–as an actress and a woman, I think she is quite different from Rose, and it’s a testament to her skill that the transformation feels so seamless.”
Bisset is a timeless beauty who embraces aging with grace. In her infamous Golden Globes speech, she said: ‘I believe, if you want to look good, you’ve got to forgive everybody. It’s the best beauty treatment.’
She’s also said that though in her youth she had “lots of complexes” she was never tempted by plastic surgery. “I don’t think it makes you look younger. It makes you different,” said Bisset.
People are curious what he saw in her, especially considering she is married to one of the most stunning actors in the world
Hollywood romance novels often follow familiar stereotypes: young couples flaunting their love on social media, actors engaging in secret affairs on set and facing rumors of infidelity, and mature men in their sixties or seventies publicly dating much younger women.
These tropes are widely accepted as the norm and not questioned. Many observers expected Pierce Brosnan to fit this mold, much like many of his industry peers.
But Brosnan defied these expectations with charm and confidence. Although he met the typical criteria, he challenged the prevailing assumptions with his own narrative.
For comparison, Pierce Brosnan has been married to Keely Shaye Smith for over twenty years and they have two children together. Recently, Keely has faced unfair criticism and unwarranted negativity. Yet Pierce has remained steadfast in his support and stood up for her despite the public criticism. His unwavering defense reflects his deep affection for his wife and shows that he values her beyond societal judgments.
Pierce met Keely in 1994 after his first wife, Cassandra Harris, died of ovarian cancer. Brosnan was devastated and faced with the challenges of single parenthood, but found comfort and strength in Keely’s support, which helped him cope with his responsibilities as a father.
In a touching tribute, Pierce celebrated their 20th anniversary with a heartfelt message and shared photos from their past and present to highlight their enduring love. Despite the couple’s positive public response, Keely’s appearance, particularly her weight, has been the subject of unwarranted criticism.
Pierce’s decision to marry Keely, who does not conform to conventional beauty standards, challenges outdated gender stereotypes. His love for her defies superficial beauty norms and reflects a deeper connection that goes beyond physical appearance.
Brosnan has publicly dismissed suggestions that Keely should undergo weight loss surgery, stressing his appreciation for her as a person and not just her looks. He has stated that his love for her has grown stronger over the years and that he values her role as a mother to their children.
In a world where older celebrities often partner with much younger partners, Pierce’s commitment to Keely is a testament to genuine affection. His devotion to her, despite public criticism, reinforces the idea that love is about more than simply adhering to societal expectations or physical attractions.
As people grow older, they realize that true attraction and commitment are based on emotional and intellectual bonds rather than fleeting ideals of beauty. Pierce’s unwavering support for Keely underscores the importance of appreciating a partner for who they are and maintaining a relationship based on respect and love.
Essentially, Pierce’s devotion to Keely illustrates that true love is about appreciating the essence of a partner rather than submitting to external constraints or superficial standards.
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