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.
The Power of Love and Redemption
In a world where family bonds are sometimes tested, there is a story that teaches us the true value of compassion and understanding. It all began when my brother Paul made the heart-wrenching decision to kick our beloved Grandma Eleanor out of her own home because she couldn’t contribute financially. Little did he know that this act of cruelty would lead to a powerful lesson that he would never forget.
Filled with love and loyalty, I couldn’t bear the thought of my grandmother being alone and abandoned. So, I made the choice to take her into my own home. But as Paul’s regret started to surface, I wondered if it would be enough to mend our broken family bonds.
My Brother Kicked Our Grandma out Because She Had No Money Left – She Taught Him a Lesson He Will Never Forget
“Rachel, I can’t keep doing this,” Paul exclaimed, his frustration evident. “She’s costing too much.”
Trying to stay calm, I reminded him of the incredible impact Grandma had on our lives. “Paul, she’s our grandmother. She raised us, remember?”
But Paul seemed focused only on the present, dismissing the value of Grandma’s presence. He saw her as someone who had nothing to offer, someone who just sat there, wasting time on her paintings.
Those paintings, however, held deep meaning for Grandma. And I believed that they could hold meaning for us too, if we allowed ourselves to see it.
Paul dismissed my sentimentality, claiming that he needed to think about the future and couldn’t afford to carry what he saw as “dead weight.” His words weighed heavy on my heart. It wasn’t about what Grandma could give us now, it was about the love and sacrifices she had already made.
As weeks passed, Paul’s coldness grew, and Grandma Eleanor tried to hide her pain. But I could see it in her eyes, the way she clutched her paintbrushes like lifelines.
Then one evening, the moment I had feared arrived. Paul called me, determined to have Grandma moved out.
It was heartbreaking. “Where will she go?” I asked, my voice filled with worry.
Paul’s response was cold and unexpected. “She can stay with you. You seem to care so much.”
I agreed to take Grandma in, but bitterness lingered in my mouth. I couldn’t understand how Paul had become so heartless. I prepared a space for Grandma that felt like home, where she could paint and be herself without feeling like a burden.
When I broke the news to Grandma, she smiled softly even though tears glistened in her eyes. “Thank you, Rachel. You’ve always had a kind heart.”
I held her tightly, assuring her that she didn’t need to thank me. This was her home too, and she was surrounded by love.
The move was swift, with Paul not even lifting a finger to help. He watched from the doorway as we packed up Grandma’s belongings, seemingly convinced that he was doing the right thing.
Driving Grandma to my house, silence enveloped us. But as we pulled into the driveway, she reached over and squeezed my hand. “I’ll be okay, Rachel.”
Inside, my children greeted her with open arms. “Great-Grandma, show us how to paint like you!” they exclaimed, pulling her into the living room where her easel was already set up.
Eleanor smiled, a genuine smile that hadn’t been seen in weeks. “Of course, darlings. Let’s create something beautiful.”
Days turned into weeks, and Grandma Eleanor rediscovered her passion for painting. My children became her biggest fans, always eager to see her latest work. I couldn’t help but admire her vibrant landscapes and remarked, “Grandma, you’ve got a real gift.”
With my kids’ encouragement, Grandma started to share her artwork online. Her unique style and heartfelt stories behind each painting began to attract attention. Comments poured in, praising her talent and resilience.
Then one evening, a message from a local art gallery arrived. They wanted to give Grandma a solo exhibition! The excitement was overwhelming, and I couldn’t help but hug her tightly, congratulating her on this incredible opportunity.
In the weeks leading up to the exhibition, Grandma worked tirelessly, creating new pieces and preparing for the big day. My kids pitched in, assisting with selecting frames and writing descriptions for each painting.
The night of the exhibition arrived, and the gallery buzzed with excitement. People admired Grandma’s work, and almost every painting found a new home. She even received several commissions, securing her financial independence.
Standing before the crowd, Grandma’s voice was steady and strong. “Thank you all for believing in me,” she said, tears of joy streaming down her face.
Word of Grandma’s success eventually reached Paul, and he found himself standing at my doorstep, his tone uncharacteristically soft. He admitted that he had made a terrible mistake and regretted his heartless actions.
But Grandma, with a fire in her eyes, made it clear that it was too late for his apologies. She told him that he needed to learn the true value of family, love, and support—something that couldn’t be bought with money.
As Paul left, realizing the gravity of his actions, Grandma turned to me. She expressed her gratitude for the love and support my children and I had shown her. We hugged, knowing that she was finally where she belonged.
Grandma Eleanor’s art continued to flourish, her story of resilience and dignity inspiring many. Her exhibitions became not only an opportunity to admire her beautiful paintings but also a chance to hear her story, to understand the woman who found strength in the face of adversity.
Sitting in the living room one evening, surrounded by my kids eagerly painting at her feet, I thanked Grandma for all that she had taught us. Her strength had changed us all, and she had shown us the true essence of family.
Her eyes sparkled with pride as she replied, “It’s never too late to find your strength, Rachel. And it’s never too late to teach others the true essence of family.”
As for Paul, he was left to grapple with the consequences of his actions. From a distance, he witnessed Grandma’s life blooming without him. It was a harsh lesson, a reminder that true wealth comes from the love and respect we give to those who matter most.
This story is inspired by real events. Although the names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative, the lessons of love, compassion, and redemption are very real. Don’t let materialism blind you to the value of family, for they are the ones who truly enrich our lives.
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