# Jacqueline Bisset
**Jacqueline Bisset** (birth name Winifred Jacqueline Fraser-Bisset) is an English film and television actress who has worked internationally since the late 1960s, known for films including *Bullitt*, *[Day for Night](https://www.edgepedia.org/day-for-night-1973-film)*, *Murder on the Orient Express*, and *[The Deep](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-deep-1977-film)*.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302/bio/) • [2](https://www.latw.org/artist-public-profile/jacqueline-bisset) Born in 1944 in [Weybridge](https://www.edgepedia.org/weybridge), Surrey, England, she came to prominence in 1968 and has continued working into the 2020s.[3](https://goldenglobes.com/person/jacqueline-bisset/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1944, Weybridge, Surrey, England; birth name Winifred Jacqueline Fraser-Bisset[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302/bio/) |
| Breakthrough | 1968: roles in *The Detective*, *Bullitt*, and *The Sweet Ride*, with a Golden Globe nomination as New Star of the Year for the last[4](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/76771-Jacqueline-Bisset) • [3](https://goldenglobes.com/person/jacqueline-bisset/) |
| Signature image | Her underwater swimming scenes in *The Deep* (1977) inspired the worldwide wet T-shirt craze[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302) |
| Major award | Golden Globe, 2014, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television, for the BBC miniseries *Dancing on the Edge*[3](https://goldenglobes.com/person/jacqueline-bisset/) |
| Other nominations | Golden Globe for *Under the Volcano* (1985), César for *La Cérémonie* (1996), Emmy for *Joan of Arc* (1999)[6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302/awards/) |
| Output | About 70 movies and 22 TV movies, plus recurring roles on *Ally McBeal*, *Nip/Tuck*, and *Rizzoli & Isles*[7](https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/celebrities/jacqueline-bisset) |
| Personal life | Never married; long-term relationships with actor Michael Sarrazin, entrepreneur Victor Drai, dancer Alexander Godunov, actor Vincent Perez, and martial arts instructor Emin Boztepe[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302/bio/) |
## Background
Bisset was the daughter of Max Fraser, a doctor, and Arlette Alexander Bisset, a lawyer and homemaker, and she attended the French Lycée in London.[8](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/bisset-jacqueline-1944) Her somewhat French-sounding name has led many to assume she is from France, but she was brought up in England and had to study to learn French.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302/bio/) Her early screen credits include *[Two for the Road](https://www.edgepedia.org/two-for-the-road-film)* and *Casino Royale*, both released in 1967.[4](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/76771-Jacqueline-Bisset)
## 1968 breakthrough and 1970s stardom
Her first roles came largely because of her looks, but over time she became an actress respected by fans and critics alike.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302/bio/) The turning point came in 1968 with three releases: *The Detective* (as Norma MacIver), Peter Yates's *Bullitt* opposite [Steve McQueen](https://www.edgepedia.org/steve-mcqueen) (as Cathy), and *The Sweet Ride* (as Vicki), for which she received a Golden Globe nomination as New Star of the Year, Actress.[4](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/76771-Jacqueline-Bisset) • [3](https://goldenglobes.com/person/jacqueline-bisset/)
Through the 1970s she appeared in *Airport* (1970, as Gwen Meighen), *The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean* (1972, as Rose Bean), and *Le Magnifique* (1973) with [Jean-Paul Belmondo](https://www.edgepedia.org/jean-paul-belmondo).[4](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/76771-Jacqueline-Bisset) • [3](https://goldenglobes.com/person/jacqueline-bisset/) [François Truffaut](https://www.edgepedia.org/francois-truffaut) cast her in *Day for Night* (*La Nuit américaine*, 1973), which screened Out of Competition at Cannes, and [Sidney Lumet](https://www.edgepedia.org/sidney-lumet) directed her as Countess Andrenyi in the all-star *Murder on the Orient Express* (1974).[9](https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/p/jacqueline-bisset/) • [4](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/76771-Jacqueline-Bisset) In *The Deep* (1977), again directed by Peter Yates and co-starring Nick Nolte, her underwater swimming scenes in a white T-shirt inspired the worldwide wet T-shirt craze, and *Newsweek* declared her "the most beautiful film actress of all time."[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302)
## Work with major directors
Bisset's career includes roles in films by [John Huston](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-huston) (*Casino Royale*, *The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean*, *Under the Volcano*), George Cukor (*Rich and Famous*), Stanley Donen (*Two for the Road*), François Truffaut, and Sidney Lumet.[10](https://coronadofilmfest.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CIFF-2022-Program-FINAL-issuu1.reduced.pdf) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302/bio/) Her co-stars have included [Anthony Quinn](https://www.edgepedia.org/anthony-quinn), Paul Newman, Nick Nolte, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Kenneth Branagh, and [Marcello Mastroianni](https://www.edgepedia.org/marcello-mastroianni).[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302/bio/) In *Under the Volcano* (1984), Huston's adaptation screened In Competition at Cannes and brought her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress.[9](https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/p/jacqueline-bisset/) • [3](https://goldenglobes.com/person/jacqueline-bisset/) Claude Chabrol's *La Cérémonie* (1995), opposite Isabelle Huppert, earned her a César nomination for Best Supporting Actress.[3](https://goldenglobes.com/person/jacqueline-bisset/) • [6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302/awards/)
## Television and later career
On television she played Constance Isles on TNT's *Rizzoli & Isles*, James LeBeau on FX's *Nip/Tuck*, Frances Shaw on FOX's *Ally McBeal*, Isabelle D'Arc in the CBS miniseries *Joan of Arc* (an Emmy nomination), and Josephine de Beauharnais in ABC's *Napoleon and Josephine: A Love Story*.[2](https://www.latw.org/artist-public-profile/jacqueline-bisset) • [11](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/jacqueline-bisset) Her role as Lady Cremone in the BBC miniseries *Dancing on the Edge* (2013) won her a Golden Globe in 2014.[2](https://www.latw.org/artist-public-profile/jacqueline-bisset) • [3](https://goldenglobes.com/person/jacqueline-bisset/)
As she matured as an actress she moved from lead roles toward character parts, finding greater opportunities in independent films.[12](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/jacqueline-bisset/bio/3030057817/) Recent credits include *Backstabbing for Beginners* (2018) with [Ben Kingsley](https://www.edgepedia.org/ben-kingsley), *Here and Now* (2018) with [Sarah Jessica Parker](https://www.edgepedia.org/sarah-jessica-parker), *Asher* (2018) with [Ron Perlman](https://www.edgepedia.org/ron-perlman) and Famke Janssen, the Amazon original *Birds of Paradise* (2021), and the title role in *Loren & Rose* (2022), directed by Russell Brown.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302/bio/) *Loren & Rose* brought her a run of festival Best Actress and lifetime achievement awards in 2022 through 2024, including from the Sarasota, Santa Fe, and Sedona festivals.[6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302/awards/) She appeared as Vivian Villeré in *Long Shadows* (2025).[13](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/jacqueline_bisset)
## Recognition
IMDb lists 28 wins and 24 nominations across her career.[6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302/awards/) Festival honors include the Honorary Roger at the Avignon/[New York Film Festival](https://www.edgepedia.org/new-york-film-festival) (2001), a Career Achievement Award at the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (2003), a Lifetime Achievement Golden Duke at the Odesa International Film Festival (2018), and the Sonoma International Film Festival's Cinematic Excellence Award in 2022.[6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302/awards/) • [14](https://sonomafilmfest.org/Documents/Press%20Releases/2022/Actress-Jacqueline-Bisset-To-Accept-Cinematic-Excellence-Award-at-SIFF25th-Anniversary-Film-Festival-2022.pdf) In 2026, she traveled alone to Zaragoza, Spain, to accept a career award at the Saraqusta festival of historical cinema, where she told *El País* that she continues to seek out decent, deep, and difficult roles.[15](https://elpais.com/cultura/cine/2026-05-03/jacqueline-bisset-hay-tanto-dolor-en-el-mundo-que-hablar-de-cine-me-parece-irrelevante.html)
## References
1. [Jacqueline Bisset – Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302/bio/)
2. [Jacqueline Bisset, LATW profile](https://www.latw.org/artist-public-profile/jacqueline-bisset)
3. [Jacqueline Bisset, Golden Globes Awards database](https://goldenglobes.com/person/jacqueline-bisset/)
4. [Jacqueline Bisset, AFI Catalog of Feature Films](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/76771-Jacqueline-Bisset)
5. [Jacqueline Bisset, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302)
6. [Jacqueline Bisset – Awards, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000302/awards/)
7. [Jacqueline Bisset Remembers Early Years of Her 6-Decade Career, Woman's World](https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/celebrities/jacqueline-bisset)
8. [Bisset, Jacqueline 1944–, Encyclopedia.com](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/bisset-jacqueline-1944)
9. [Jacqueline BISSET, Festival de Cannes](https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/p/jacqueline-bisset/)
10. [Coronado Island Film Festival 2022 Program](https://coronadofilmfest.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CIFF-2022-Program-FINAL-issuu1.reduced.pdf)
11. [Jacqueline Bisset, Television Academy](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/jacqueline-bisset)
12. [Jacqueline Bisset Biography, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/jacqueline-bisset/bio/3030057817/)
13. [Jacqueline Bisset, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/jacqueline_bisset)
14. [Actress Jacqueline Bisset To Accept Cinematic Excellence Award at SIFF 25th Anniversary, Sonoma International Film Festival press release](https://sonomafilmfest.org/Documents/Press%20Releases/2022/Actress-Jacqueline-Bisset-To-Accept-Cinematic-Excellence-Award-at-SIFF25th-Anniversary-Film-Festival-2022.pdf)
15. [Jacqueline Bisset interview, El País (May 3, 2026)](https://elpais.com/cultura/cine/2026-05-03/jacqueline-bisset-hay-tanto-dolor-en-el-mundo-que-hablar-de-cine-me-parece-irrelevante.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › English actors: 1970s to 1990s › Surnames A to B*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 20, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license