Cécile Decugis (1880–1962) was a French stage and film actress who began her career at the Comédie-Française in 1906 and went on to become one of the most celebrated French actresses of the 1920s and 1930s.
Decugis was born in Paris in 1880. She studied at the Conservatoire de Paris, graduating in 1905. That same year, she made her stage debut at the Théâtre de l'Odéon in a minor role. In 1906, she joined the illustrious Comédie-Française, the national theater of France, and quickly gained fame as a great actress. She remained there for the next 20 years, appearing in a variety of productions including plays by Jules Verne, William Shakespeare, and Alexandre Dumas, among others.
In 1926, Decugis made the switch to film. She appeared in two silent films, and then in 1929 she starred in the first talking picture in France, Le Million. The film was a huge success and catapulted Decugis to stardom. She followed it up with a string of successful movies, including La Petite Patache (1930), Le Dernier Milliardaire (1931), and La Vocation de Robert (1932).
Decugis was often praised for her acting abilities and her naturalistic approach to her roles. She was also known for her skillful use of facial expressions and gestures to convey emotion. Her performances were often praised for their subtlety and elegance.
In the 1930s, Decugis continued to appear in films, but she also began to focus more on her stage career. She appeared in a number of productions at the Théâtre de la Madeleine, including a famous adaptation of La Dame aux Camélias. Her last film role was in 1938, after which she retired from the screen.
Decugis continued to appear on stage until her death in 1962. She was posthumously awarded the Legion of Honor in 1964. Throughout her career, she was celebrated for her exceptional talent and grace, and she was widely considered one of the greatest French actresses of her time.
