Liliane Rovère (néeCukier) (born 30 January 1933) is a French actress.[1]
Personal life
Liliane Rovère was born Liliane Cyprienne Cukier. Of Jewish origin, she hid in Catholic institutions under a fake name during the German occupation of France in World War II. Her parents survived the Holocaust, but many of her family did not.[2]
In 1954, Rovère's parents sent her to live with an uncle in the United States. She visited Birdland in New York City, where she met cool jazz trumpeter Chet Baker at the height of his fame [5] and they began a romantic relationship. She lived with Baker and accompanied him on tour for two years, and he introduced her as his wife despite his existing marriage.[6][4][7]: 102 The couple was frequently photographed together, including in a famous shot by William Claxton where Rovère, with a curly pixie cut and black dress, gazes at the viewer while resting her hand on Baker's head.[8] The photograph appears as part of a collage on the cover of Chet Baker Sings and Plays. While on tour, Rovère caused a stir when she spent time with Black people in racially segregatedSt. Louis.[7]: 104 Baker and Rovère's romance ended in 1956, when Baker informed her by mail that he'd married another woman.[7]: 128
A few years later, Rovère married jazz bassist Gilbert "Bibi" Rovère [fr]. In 1971, they adopted a daughter, who they named Tina.[5]
After taking acting classes, Rovère began appearing as supporting characters on television[3] and worked as a make-up artist in cinema and television.[citation needed]
In 1986, Rovère appeared as Madame Queen in Round Midnight, a film which features cameos by real-life jazz figures and stars bebop saxophonist, Dexter Gordon.
In 1998, Rovère received a Lutin, an award given to short films, for best actress in Christian Rouaud's Le Sujet.[9]
In 2015, Rovère appeared as Arlette Azémar, a main character in Call My Agent!. Some of the role’s characteristics, such as a passion for jazz and a youthful romance with Chet Baker, are taken from Rovère's life.[10]
Rovère published an autobiography in 2019 titled La folle vie de Lili.
