Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role 1960
Simone Signoret Room at the Top 1960
SEX WORKER ROLE
Gisele in Back Streets of Paris 1946
Dee Dee in Dédée d’Anvers 1948
Leocadie in La Ronde 1950
Marie in Casque d’or 1952
Adua in Hungry for Love 1960
Madame Rosa in Madame Rosa 1977
All Six Characters Are Prostitutes
Simone Signoret in Back Streets of Paris 1946, Dédée d’Anvers 1948 and La Ronde 1950
Simone Signoret in Casque d’or 1952, Adua and Her Friends 1960, and Madame Rosa 1977
Simone Signoret has played so many prostitutes in movies that I cannot summarize them all in half a page. In fact, from 1946 to 1952, she played a prostitute on average once every two years. She could have added another hooker role to her film repertoire—Madame Hortense from the movie “Zorba The Greek.” But she withdrew from the part after a few days of filming. Simone is second to Sophia Loren as the Oscar winner for playing the most hooker roles—six.
In “Macadam” (aka “Back Streets of Paris”), Simone plays a hooker named Gisele who works out of the Hotel Bijou. Despite other streetwalkers operating from the same location, Gisele stands out. She oozes class and style in a strictly supporting role.
Watch clip of the film “Macadam”
Four years later, Simone would play a much more substantial hooker role in “Dédée d’Anvers.” The plot is familiar as a hooker vows to leave her profession for the man she loves.
Watch clip of the film “Dédée d’Anvers”
“La Ronde” is similar to “Our Town.” IIn it, a narrator introduces several intertwined stories. IIn her story, Simone portrays a prostitute who engages with a soldier.
Watch clip of the film “La Ronde”
In “Casque d’or,” Simone plays a hooker who meets an ex-con vowing to go straight. They immediately fall in love. However, their romance sets the stage for events that will destroy the people around them.
Watch clip of the film “Casque d’or”
Simone plays the title character Auda in “Hungry for Love” (aka “Auda and her Friends”). When their brothel gets shut down, the women decide to open a restaurant. They cannot escape their past despite trying to make a fresh start.
Watch clip of the film “Hungry for Love”
“Madame Rosa” is perhaps one of Simone’s most notable roles. In this film, Simone plays a retired hooker. She decides to start her third act in life, babysitting the children of other prostitutes. When they have to go out and make a call, Madame Rosa looks after their kids.
Watch clip of the film “Madame Rosa”
To read more about other Oscar-winning actresses playing characters working in the sex trade industry, please continue perusing Oscar Hookers