Born in Paris, she became a distinguished French actress celebrated for her work on stage and screen. She began her career at the Comédie-Française and gained prominence in films during the 1930s and 1940s. Known for her collaborations with her husband, Jean-Louis Barrault, she co-founded the Renaud-Barrault Company, which toured internationally. Her career spanned over seven decades, earning acclaim for her passionate and nuanced performances. She remains a revered figure in French theater and cinema.