Born in Iowa in 1938, she gained international fame with her role in Jean-Luc Godard's "Breathless" (1960), becoming a symbol of the French New Wave. Her career spanned both American and European cinema, with notable performances in films like "Saint Joan" (1957) and "Bonjour Tristesse" (1958). Beyond acting, she was an activist, supporting civil rights causes. Tragically, she faced intense scrutiny and harassment by the FBI, leading to personal struggles. She passed away in 1979 in Paris.