Catherine Hiegel, a talented French actress, comedian, and director, was born on December 10, 1946. As the daughter of Pierre Hiegel, a renowned radio host, music critic, radio producer, and artistic director of French houses of discs, she has a rich cultural heritage. Moreover, she is the niece of Pierre Bellemare, adding to her artistic lineage.
Hiegel's early start in the world of entertainment began when she was just ten years old, playing the role of Cosette in a radio adaptation of Les Misérables, where her father portrayed Jean Valjean. She also sang with André Claveau in 1956, performing the song "Viens danser avec papa".
Following her father's advice, Hiegel left school to pursue a career in comedy. She took acting lessons from esteemed instructors such as Raymond Girard and Jacques Charon, and made her stage debut at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens in the production of Cactus Flower, alongside Jean Poiret and Sophie Desmarets.
Hiegel's formal education included enrollment in the French National Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she studied under the tutelage of Jean Marchat, Lise Delamare, and Jean-Laurent Cochet. She later joined the Comédie-Française in 1969, working with a diverse range of directors, including Philippe Adrien, Patrice Chéreau, Dario Fo, Jorge Lavelli, and Jean-Paul Roussillon, in both classical and contemporary repertoire.
Throughout her illustrious career, Hiegel has held various positions of authority, including Dean of the Comédie-Française after the passing of Christine Fersen in 2008. Additionally, she served as a professor at the CNSAD for thirteen years.
Hiegel's impressive body of work has earned her two Molière Awards, with five nominations to her credit. Her remarkable achievements and contributions to the world of French theater have solidified her position as a respected and accomplished artist.
