Maria Schneider, Actress in 'Last Tango in Paris,' Dies at 58
Schneider, Born in 1952, Was Known for Her Role in the Controversial Film
Maria Schneider, the French actress best known for her role in Bernardo Bertolucci's controversial 1972 film "Last Tango in Paris," has died at the age of 58.
Schneider died on Thursday, February 3, 2011, at a Paris hospital after a long illness. Her agent, Manuel Jimenez, confirmed her death.
Schneider was born on March 27, 1952, in Paris. She began her acting career at the age of 19 in Bertolucci's film "Last Tango in Paris." The film, which starred Marlon Brando, was highly controversial for its explicit sexual content and violence. Schneider's role as the young woman who becomes Brando's lover and is eventually abused by him was particularly controversial.
After "Last Tango in Paris," Schneider went on to star in a number of other films, including "The Passenger" (1975), "Violanta" (1977), and "Mama Dracula" (1980). She also appeared in several television productions.
In recent years, Schneider had been open about her struggles with drug addiction and mental illness. She had also spoken out against the sexual abuse she had suffered during the filming of "Last Tango in Paris."
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