Brigitte Bardot

With a coquettish allure like no other actress of her time, Brigitte Bardot became a member of a rare club - that of foreign-language stars who attain international success on the silver screen. Bardot's sultry appeal made her a star in Europe in the 1950s. With the international success of "Et Dieu Crea la Femme" ("And God Created Woman") (1956), Bardot became an international star. Credited with popularizing the bikini, Bardot was unlike any American star of her era, save perhaps Marilyn Monroe. Bardot brought more to the film world than just sex appeal, however; her popularity proved to be a key factor in establishing a market for foreign films in English-speaking countries. Bardot would go on to age gracefully in her native land and become one of the most outspoken advocates of animal rights, proving she was always much more than a beautiful face and muse of inspiration for everyone from musicians to filmmakers to fashion designers.