Born Simone Kaminker in Wiesbaden, Germany. Steamy, unique beauty who took to film work during WW II as a means of supporting her family after her father, a Jewish linguist, had fled to London to join the Free French Army. Projecting both hard-bitten cynicism and earthy sensuality, Signoret was appearing in featured roles by the mid-1940s, typically playing fallen, grasping or luckless women and unbeatable as a woman in love. Notable early films include the sophisticated romantic comedy, LA RONDE (1950), Henri-Georges Clouzot's classic thriller, LES DIABOLIQUES (1955) and the gritty British social drama, ROOM AT THE TOP (1959), which earned her numerous honors, including a best actress Oscar®, and made her the first woman to win that award in a non-American film. In later years Signoret grew convincingly into more matronly roles, contributing a memorable turn opposite Oskar Werner in Stanley Kramer's classy soap-opera, SHIP OF FOOLS (1965). Other notable film credits include BARABBAS (1962), PARIS BRÛLE-T-IL? / IS PARIS BURNING? (1966), THE DEADLY AFFAIR (1966), GAMES (1967), THE SEA GULL (1968), L'AVEU (1970), LE CHAT (1971), LA VIE DEVANT SOI / MADAME ROSA and JUDITH THERPAUVE (both 1978), L'ADOLESCENTE (1979), and L'ÉTOILE DU NORD and her last feature film, GUY DE MAUPASSANT (both 1982). Mother, by one-time husband Yves Allègret, of actress Catherine Allègret (b. 1946). Married to Yves Montand from 1951 until her death in 1985.  Actress 1959: ROOM AT THE TOP  Nominated for Actress 1965: SHIP OF FOOLS 2 nominations, 1 Award