Hélène Olivine Veilleux (April 3, 1911 – September 20, 1956), known professionally as Nanette Bordeaux, was a French Canadian-born American film actress. Bordeaux made over 15 film appearances between 1942 and 1957.
Nanette Bordeaux | |
|---|---|
 Bordeaux in the 1940s | |
| Born | Hélène Olivine Veilleux April 3, 1911 Saint-Georges, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | September 20, 1956 (aged 45) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Francine Bordeaux |
| Years active | 1942-1957 |
Career
editBordeaux moved with her family from Quebec to New York City in the 1930s, where she began auditioning for several theatre productions. By 1938, Bordeaux did a screen test at the Hal Roach Studios, and was chosen over 50 other actresses. She made appearances in several small movies in the 1940s, under the name Francine Bordeaux.[1] Bordeaux was hired by Columbia Pictures director Jules White in 1949, and began appearing in several short subjects, most notably with the Three Stooges. As she sported a genuine French accent, she was often cast as a "Fifi," in films such as Hugs and Mugs, Pest Man Wins, A Missed Fortune and Loose Loot.[2] She also had to hide her French accent under an American one in such films as Slaphappy Sleuths and Income Tax Sappy.[1]
Death
editBordeaux's career was cut short when she died of acute bronchopneumonia on September 20, 1956, at age 45.[1] Her last film, A Merry Mix Up, was released six months after her death.[1]
Selected filmography
edit- A Merry Mix Up (1957)
- Come on Seven (1956)
- He Popped His Pistol (1953)
- Loose Loot (1953)
- A Missed Fortune (1952)
- Pest Man Wins (1951)
- Three Hams on Rye (1950)
- Hugs and Mugs (1950)
- Flung by a Fling (1949)
- Homecoming (1948) (as Francine Bordeaux)[1]
- So Dark the Night (1946) (as Francine Bordeaux)[1]
- Women in Bondage (1943) (as Francine Bordeaux)[1]
- I Married an Angel (1942) (as Francine Bordeaux)[1]