Biography

The career of one of the most beguiling leading ladies has been an adventurous one that has taken her from being in the centre of Swinging London in the mid sixties, to cult status as a model and actress in the seventies, to finally finding solace as a humanitarian dedicated to helping the under-privileged and elderly.

Born 14 October, 1949 on the Island of Mauritius. She was educated in Paris and London. Her first taste of showbiz came when she was dancing on Top of the Pops in the 60s. Her first film was Loving Feeling (1968), a film by Bashoo Sen. In 1970, she was one of the co-stars in There's a Girl in My Soup (1970) playing Paola with Peter Sellers. Whilst she was having lunch with her then partner Richard Johnson at the White Elephant in Mayfair, Kirk Douglas spotted her and offered her the lead in Skallawag but she turned it down to do a Jean Rollin film, The Iron Rose (1973).

Her 11 tempestuous years with the legendary film actor Richard Johnson ended in 1980. A son, Nicholas was born in 1976 during their years together. Later in 1981, She was engaged to marry the Formula Ford designer Adrian Reynard of Reynard Racing Cars. She broke off the engagement after she found out that he was still seeing his old girlfriend. She broke into television in October 1971 in Coronation Street playing Ray Langdon's friend, before Joanna Lumley. Then came numerous guest star roles with Rex Harrison in Don Quixote, Lee Remick in Tennessee Williams' Summer & Smoke, Terry & June with June Whitfield and Terry Scott, Giants & Ogres for Granada, etc. She met Vince Powell at Thames Television whilst performing in an episode of one of his TV series, but little did she know that he was writing the part of Danielle Favre for her in "Mind Your Language" (1977). She treaded the boards in 'Happy Birthday', in 1980 reuniting her with Fraser Hines and Judy Carne, with whom she made a brief appearance in Rowan & Martin “Laugh In” in 1969, prompted by Jeremy Lloyd to appear in the show.

She went on to star in the Hit TV Series 'Mind Your Language' in 1977 until 1980 and became a cult figure of the seventies.
In 1980, she starred in her only pantomime in this country as Aladdin in Camberley. She left for the USA in 1982 when she fell in love with Tim Hauser of the Manhattan Transfer, they lived together for 2 years. In Hollywood she had a two year contract in The Young & The Restless, played opposite the late Robert Urich in the TV series Gavillan, Lightning the White Stallion (1986) with Mickey Rooney and Susan George. Françoise went on to star in theatre in Hollywood and received rave reviews for playing Olivia in 'Twelve Night' (winning the LA Critics Award in 1985). Rosalind in 'As you Like It' and Octavia in 'Anthony and Cleopatra'.

She returned to London in 1987. Whilst her fame saw her with little happiness, it fulfilled her childhood ambition of being an actress. Françoise calls herself a true survivor of the showbiz syndrome. She also runs a Celebrity Liaison/PR Consultancy that she started in 2010. Since Françoise lost her partner in September 2009, she moved to London where she feels closer to her work.

Her motto is “ le Coeur a ses raisons, que la raison ne connait pas” Blaise Pascal.